Cabinet approves to make the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library database more widely accessible

The Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) database will now be accessible to users and patent offices, enabling more R&D and innovation based on India’s cultural legacy. This move has been approved by the cabinet. Bharatiya Gnana Parampara is anticipated to be incorporated into the endeavour to expand the TKDL under the auspices of the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The TKDL database will only be accessible with a paid subscription.

According to a statement from the cabinet, “Indian traditional knowledge (TK) offers immense potential to serve national and global needs, therewith providing societal benefits as well as economic growth.” The TKDL will be a significant repository for Indian traditional knowledge that will advance the boundaries of knowledge and technology, according to the cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Sowa Rigpa, and Yoga are some of the Indian traditional treatments that the TKDL content now seeks to promote. It also attempts to encourage new manufacturers and innovators to contribute to India’s knowledge base.

According to the cabinet, TKDL will provide services for organisations, corporations, personal care products, academic and research institutes, and others. The cabinet also disclosed that the TKDL database will eventually include more data on Indian traditional knowledge from other fields. According to the cabinet, the TKDL database will put an emphasis on creativity, practical solutions, and technology in addition to its primary goal, which is to stop the wrong patents on Indian traditional knowledge from being granted.