50th Golden Jubilee Meeting of the National Committee of Archivists

Inaugural Highlights

50th Golden Jubilee Meeting of the National Committee of Archivists: The 50th Golden Jubilee Meeting of the National Committee of Archivists (NCA) was held on 18–19 September 2025 at the Tamil Nadu Archives in Chennai. Organized jointly by the National Archives of India (NAI) and the Tamil Nadu Archives and Historical Research, this event marked a key milestone in India’s archival history. It was the fourth time Chennai hosted the NCA, underscoring its pivotal role in the nation’s archival journey.

Tamil Nadu’s Archival Initiatives

Dr. Govi Chezhian, Minister of Higher Education, Government of Tamil Nadu, inaugurated the meeting. He highlighted the state’s commitment to archival preservation, announcing a ₹10 crore allocation for adopting the Japanese tissue mending technique, with an additional ₹10 crore sanctioned for the current year. A ₹25,000 monthly stipend was introduced to encourage young researchers focusing on Tamil Nadu’s history.

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

• Revolts against British Rule in Tamil Nadu and Supreme Sacrifices Prior to 1857 AD
• The Four Mysore Wars and the Conquests of Tamil Nadu

Preservation and Digitization Efforts

Shri Har Sahay Meena, Principal Secretary/Commissioner of Tamil Nadu Archives, reported that 8 lakh archival documents had been preserved under the Japanese tissue mending technique, with a target of 10 lakh in the first year. Static GK fact: The Japanese tissue technique is globally recognized for paper conservation.

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

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 presentations on challenges faced by archival institutions, lamination processes at The Hindu Archives, and the use of AI in genealogy research.

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 participation from 19 States and Union Territories, reflecting its national scope. Established in 1953, the NCA serves as an all-India professional forum of archivists. Its first meeting was held in Hyderabad in 1954.

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.

Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table

50th Golden Jubilee Meeting of the National Committee of Archivists: