National Archives

National Archives of India Launches 'Sushasan aur Abhilekh' Exhibition

Kuldeep Pisda

02 Oct 2025 — 5 min read

Background and Significance

The National Archives of India (NAI), entrusted with the preservation of India's documentary heritage, has taken a new initiative by curating the exhibition "Sushasan aur Abhilekh." The exhibition aims to showcase the preservation and importance of historically valuable records, many of which were accessed and reviewed during the series of Special Campaigns on government cleanliness, record management, and administrative reforms implemented from 2021 to 2025[1].

This effort aligns with the broader focus of the Government of India on good governance (Sushasan), public accountability, and transparency. The exhibition comes in the context of the government’s continuing Special Swachhta Campaigns, now in its fifth iteration, which emphasize the clearing of office spaces, disposal of outdated records, and optimal use of administrative resources. The curatorial event also coincides with the annual launch of Special Swachhta Campaign 5.0, a platform to institutionalize such best practices across government departments[2].

Exhibition Details

“Sushasan aur Abhilekh” features a curated selection of historic records that have been retrieved, conserved, and displayed as part of various record management and cleanliness campaigns undertaken by government offices. According to the official announcement, the exhibition will commence on 10th October 2025 at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi[1][2].

The showcased records span different periods of independent India’s administrative and governance history, highlighting:

The evolution of government processes.
Milestones in policy reforms and implementation.
Historic decisions reflected in archival documents.
Examples of recordkeeping’s role in enhancing administrative efficiency and accountability.

Unveiling these records to the public reflects NAI’s commitment to both open access and historical preservation, reinforcing the understanding that well-managed public records are essential components of sustainable governance.

Integration with Special Campaigns

The exhibition has been curated in the context of the Special Swachhta Campaigns, which began in 2021 and have since expanded in scope and ambition. These campaigns focus on:

Administrative cleanliness and record management.
Decluttering government workspaces through systematic review and weeding out of obsolete files.
Optimal utilization of office spaces.
Environmental sustainability through e-waste and scrap disposal.

Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, during the recent launch of the campaign’s 5.0 edition at Nehru Park, New Delhi, emphasized that since the inception of these campaigns:

Over 137.86 lakh files have been closed or weeded out.
More than 12.04 lakh cleanliness sites identified and cleaned across the country.
More than ₹3,296.71 crore generated from the disposal of e-waste and scrap.
Approximately 696.27 lakh sq. ft. of office space cleared and repurposed[2].

These achievements underscore the scale at which administrative records have been processed and managed, providing rich material for the NAI’s new exhibition.

Objectives of the Exhibition

The main objectives of "Sushasan aur Abhilekh" are:

To demonstrate the importance of systematic recordkeeping in government functioning.
To illustrate the link between good governance and scientific records management.
To highlight how historic government documents contribute to transparency and accountability.
To raise public awareness about archival science and its relevance for national development.
To encourage departments to follow best practices in document preservation and records review.

By revealing documents previously held in administrative offices, the NAI aims to bridge the gap between the nation’s governance history and the citizens’ right to information.

Quotes from Government Officials

“The National Archives of India has curated an exhibition ‘Sushasan aur Abhilekh’ showcasing historically valuable records accessed during Special Campaigns 1.0–4.0, which will open on 10th October 2025 at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi.”
— Press Information Bureau

“The Implementation Phase beginning from 2nd October 2025 will institutionalise cleanliness drives, streamline administrative processes, and optimise public services across government offices.”
— Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology

“These actions symbolize the Government’s commitment to environmental sustainability, civic responsibility, efficiency, transparency, and good governance.”
— Dr. Jitendra Singh

Administrative Processes and Preparatory Measures

Preparations for this exhibition began during the Preparatory Phase of the Special Swachhta Campaign (15–30 September 2025). During this period, ministries and departments:

Uploaded targets for records review and cleanliness initiatives to a dedicated government portal.
Identified physical files and e-files slated for review and disposal.
Ensured that nodal officers inspected record rooms, especially focusing on historical documents requiring preservation.
Transferred important records to officers concerned for decision and further archiving[2].

The records selected for display in the exhibition are a product of such systematic and participatory review processes, with cross-departmental cooperation and oversight to ensure preservation standards.

Role of the National Archives of India

The National Archives of India, situated in New Delhi and originally established in 1891, is the apex body responsible for the scientific preservation, cataloguing, and display of India’s documentary heritage. In recent years, the NAI has adapted its strategy to align with digital governance reforms, including:

Increased digitization of archival holdings.
Development of specialized guidelines for document preservation across departments.
Training sessions for government staff in records management best practices.
Public outreach programmes and exhibitions to promote the visibility of archives.

“Sushasan aur Abhilekh” represents the culmination of this strategy by bringing historically valuable government records, once housed in backrooms or storage, into public view.

Potential Impact on Public Administration

The exhibition is expected to have several positive impacts on public administration and governance:

Enhanced Transparency: By making records accessible and visible, the exhibition reinforces transparency in government functioning for both officials and citizens.
Improved Record Management Culture: Departments are encouraged to routinely review, digitize, and preserve records of administrative value, reducing backlog and ensuring compliance with the Public Records Act.
Knowledge Sharing: The curated documents provide a knowledge base for researchers, journalists, policymakers, and civil society to study India’s administrative evolution.
Citizen Engagement: The initiative aligns with Jan Bhagidari (public participation), promoting citizen awareness of government processes and history.
Capacity Building: The focus on document management supports ongoing training for government officials and archivists, raising the standard of recordkeeping.

Public Reception and Outreach

While the exhibition is primarily aimed at historians, archival professionals, and students of governance, it is also open to the general public, encouraging wider participation. Outreach efforts are planned via:

Workshops and lectures at the exhibition venue.
Guided tours for academic institutions and public officials.
Distribution of educational material on the science of archiving and the relevance of good governance.
Potential digitization of select exhibition materials for online access.

Such initiatives reflect the government’s commitment to making its functioning more transparent and accessible to citizens across all walks of life.

Complementary Achievements Under Special Swachhta Campaigns

The activities leading up to the exhibition form part of the Government of India’s broader achievements under the Special Swachhta Campaigns. According to the 1 October 2025 update, major milestones include:

Cleanliness at more than 6.78 lakh sites nationwide.
4,223 references from Members of Parliament addressed.
Closure of 743 Parliamentary assurances.
Processing of 692,219 public grievances and appeals.
Scrutiny and review of over 26.91 lakh physical files and 5.26 lakh e-files[2].

Dr. Singh commended the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) for its role in driving these outcomes and highlighted the critical role played by “Safai Mitras,” or sanitation workers, in implementing the campaigns on the ground.

“Our Safai Mitras are at the heart of this campaign. Their dedication is an example of true public service.”
— Dr. Jitendra Singh

He also emphasized that cleanliness and systematic recordkeeping now represent “core values embraced by every citizen,” reflecting a shift towards civic-mindedness and environmental sustainability.

Conclusion: Institutionalising Good Governance

The “Sushasan aur Abhilekh” exhibition, curated by the National Archives of India, stands as a testament to the government’s ongoing push towards institutionalising good governance through best practices in recordkeeping and public accountability. By showcasing preserved historical documents accessed during the comprehensive Special Campaigns, the exhibition highlights how administrative reforms and records management are intertwined with national development.

With ongoing efforts to digitize, preserve, and make accessible India’s documentary heritage, the NAI’s new exhibition contributes to fostering an informed, engaged, and empowered citizenry. The event, coupled with the government’s administrative and cleanliness drives, helps set a new benchmark for participatory, transparent, and efficient governance in India.