Gandhinagar: The Gujarat government on Wednesday announced a major expansion of public reading infrastructure in the Budget 2026-27, including a ₹100 crore provision to build the country’s largest and most modern “Namo Central Library” in Gandhinagar and new libraries across tribal regions.

Finance Minister Kanubhai Desai said the upcoming central library will offer fully digital study and reading facilities, positioning it as a state-level knowledge hub for students, researchers and competitive exam aspirants.

Digital learning hub in capital

The proposed library will integrate technology-based learning resources, enabling users to access books, journals and study material in digital format. Authorities indicated the facility will function as a modern academic space with e-reading infrastructure and public access services designed for the digital era.

The project aims to strengthen academic support systems in the state capital, especially for youth preparing for higher education and government examinations.

Expansion in tribal areas

In a parallel initiative focused on educational inclusion, the government announced that libraries will be established in 15 tribal talukas this year under the Bhagwan Birsa Munda Library scheme. The broader plan is to gradually set up such libraries across all tribal talukas.

Officials said the expansion is intended to improve access to learning resources in remote areas and encourage reading habits among students in tribal communities.

Knowledge access push

The combined measures are aimed at improving both high-end academic infrastructure in urban centres and basic educational access in rural and tribal regions, strengthening the state’s public knowledge network from village to capital. DeshGujarat