Golden Jubilee NCA Meet in Chennai Advances India’s Archival Digitization Goals

The 50th Golden Jubilee Meeting of the National Committee of Archivists (NCA), a landmark gathering in India’s archival history, concluded successfully on 19th September 2025 at the Tamil Nadu Archives, Chennai. The two-day conference was jointly organized by the National Archives of India (NAI), Janpath, New Delhi and the Tamil Nadu Archives and Historical Research. This was the fourth time Chennai hosted the NCA, underscoring its historical and cultural importance in the nation’s archival journey.

Inaugural Ceremony and Dignitaries

The event was inaugurated in the presence of Dr. Govi Chezhian, Minister of Higher Education, Government of Tamil Nadu, alongside senior officials including:

• Shri Sanjay Rastogi, IAS, Director General of Archives, NAI & Chairman, NCA

• Shri Har Sahay Meena, IAS, Principal Secretary/Commissioner, Tamil Nadu Archives & Local Secretary, NCA

• Neha Bansal, IAS, Additional Director General, NAI

• Dr. D.P. Shankar, IAS, Secretary, Higher Education Department, Tamil Nadu

• Shri Naoroibam Raju Singh, Deputy Director (i/C), NAI & Member Secretary, NCA

Tamil Nadu’s Commitment to Archival Preservation

In his inaugural address, Dr. Govi Chezhian highlighted Tamil Nadu’s pioneering initiatives in archival preservation. He noted that ₹10 crore had been allocated last year for the Japanese tissue mending technique, and another ₹10 crore was sanctioned this year to expand the work. He further announced a ₹25,000 monthly stipend for young researchers to encourage studies and publications on Tamil Nadu’s history.

The Minister also launched the official Web Portal of Tamil Nadu Archives and released two important publications:

1. Revolts against British Rule in Tamil Nadu and Supreme Sacrifices Prior to 1857 AD

2. The Four Mysore Wars and the Conquests of Tamil Nadu

These publications shed light on the sacrifices of Tamil Nadu’s freedom fighters and early heroes.

Preservation and Digitization Efforts

Shri Har Sahay Meena informed that 8 lakh archival documents had already been preserved under the Japanese tissue mending technique, with a target of 10 lakh in the first year. While most military records have been conserved, the next phase will focus on revenue records, which hold immense historical and administrative value.

Shri Sanjay Rastogi, DG of NAI, emphasized digitization as a cornerstone of archival modernization. He revealed that NAI’s flagship digital platform, Abhilekh Patal, now hosts nearly 14 million pages of public records, manuscripts, and private papers. He further announced that the entire collection is expected to be digitized within two years.

Recognizing the lack of a centrally funded scheme for archives, Shri Rastogi introduced Abhilek-Sampada, a forthcoming scheme to fund and strengthen archival institutions, which was deliberated upon during the meeting.

Remembering Heroes of Tamil Nadu

Dr. D.P. Shankar, Secretary, Higher Education Department, Tamil Nadu, underscored the historical importance of the new publications, highlighting the valour of early leaders such as Puli Thevar, Veerapandiya Kattabomman, the Marudupandiya Brothers, Rani Velu Nachiyar, Hyder Ali, and Tipu Sultan. He remarked, “Archives are not just records of the past, but the memory of a nation, the voice of society, and a mirror of humanity.”

Technical Sessions and Presentations

The two-day event featured technical sessions exploring how technology can bridge archival knowledge and cultural heritage. Discussions focused on the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in improving access to digitized collections and advanced methods for record restoration.

Highlights included:

• Shri Har Sahay Meena: Challenges and Problems Faced by Archival Institutions

• Tmt. Vibha Sudarshan, Chief Librarian, The Hindu: Lamination Process at The Hindu Archives

• NAI JDG (IT): Born Digital Records

• NAI ADA (Pub/Exh): Sources of Indian Genealogy and the Use of Artificial Intelligence

• NAI Scientific Officer: Problems in Restoration of Records and Solutions

• Dr. Manash Ranjan, ADA (i/C): Abhilekh Sampada (NAI Grants Scheme) and NAI’s Social Media & Outreach Campaigns

Field Visit and Demonstrations

Delegates visited the Tamil Nadu State Archives, where they observed ongoing conservation and digitization initiatives, including practical demonstrations of preservation techniques and digital workflows.

National Representation and Legacy of NCA

The Golden Jubilee meeting witnessed active participation from 19 States and Union Territories, reflecting its truly national scope. Established in 1953, the NCA is chaired by the DG of Archives, NAI, and serves as an all-India professional forum of archivists.

Its first meeting was held in Hyderabad in 1954. Recent editions include:

• 47th NCA in Jammu & Kashmir (March 2024)

• 48th NCA in Kevadiya, Gujarat (November 2024)

• 49th NCA in Jammu (April 2025)

The 50th Golden Jubilee in Chennai stands as a landmark moment, showcasing the collective commitment to preserve, digitize, and democratize India’s archival wealth for future generations.

The Chennai conclave highlighted the evolution of archives from physical records to digital memory banks and reinforced the need for modern techniques, inclusive funding, and AI-driven innovations. As India heads towards its centenary of independence, the NCA’s vision aligns with Viksit Bharat @2047, ensuring that archives remain a living legacy of the nation’s history, culture, and identity.