The National Archives of India (NAI), under the Ministry of Culture is organizing an exhibition titled “सुशासन और अभिलेख 2025” as part of the observance of Good Governance Month on 10^th October 2025 (Friday) at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi. The exhibition will be inaugurated by Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of Culture and Tourism, Government of India, at 10:00 a.m.

Cleanliness and good governance are integral to a prosperous society, shaping public conduct, social interactions, and the effective implementation of welfare programmes. One of the key national initiatives in this regard has been the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, which has not only improved sanitation and public health but also contributed to the preservation of the nation’s archival heritage. Between 2021 and 2025, various government ministries, departments, and public sector undertakings undertook a massive records management exercise, identifying and transferring over 75,500 historically valuable documents to the National Archives of India.

The exhibition showcases a curated selection of these records, highlighting the importance of transparency, accountability, and record-keeping as pillars of good governance. It reflects on India’s administrative evolution and the crucial role of documentation in effective governance.

A special section of the exhibition pays tribute to eminent leaders such as Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, whose government emphasized inclusive growth and infrastructure development, and Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, whose contributions to science, technology, and youth empowerment continue to inspire generations. Through these narratives, the exhibition underscores the dynamic relationship between governance and archival preservation in shaping the nation’s developmental story.

The exhibition presents valuable records from various ministries, illustrating India’s governance and developmental journey:

• President’s Secretariat: Highlights include records on the elevation of General S.H.F.J. Manekshaw to the rank of Field Marshal and key ceremonial documents.
• Election Commission of India: Showcases the introduction of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and electoral reforms.
• Ministry of Home Affairs: Documents related to Vijay Diwas celebrations and the advancement of Panchayati Raj.
• Ministry of Power: Features records on major infrastructure projects like the Tehri Dam and Sardar Sarovar Dam.
• Other participating ministries and departments—including the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Law and Justice, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Ministry of Railways, and National Archives of India—present key documents reflecting legislative reforms, trade agreements, water resource management, legal evolution, international diplomacy, and technological innovation in the railway sector.

Together, these exhibits narrate India’s remarkable journey of governance, nation-building, and public service through archival evidence.

Established on 11^th March 1891 at Kolkata as the Imperial Record Department, the National Archives of India was later relocated to New Delhi in 1937, with its iconic building designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens completed in 1926. It serves as the nodal agency for the implementation of the Public Records Act, 1993 and Public Records Rules, 1997.

Currently, the NAI holds over 34 crore pages of public records, encompassing official files, volumes, maps, treaties, rare manuscripts, private papers, cartographic records, Gazettes, Census reports, assembly and parliamentary debates, and proscribed literature. The collection also includes a rich body of oriental records in Sanskrit, Persian, Odia, and other languages, preserving India’s administrative and cultural heritage for future generations.

The exhibition “सुशासन और अभिलेख 2025” stands as a tribute to India’s enduring commitment to clean governance, institutional transparency, and archival preservation—pillars that strengthen democracy and contribute to a more accountable and progressive society.

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Sunil Kumar Tiwari

pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com

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