Context: Recently, the  Cabinet has approved the “Widening access of the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) database to users, besides patent offices”.

About Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) 

• The Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) is a prior art database of Indian traditional knowledge established in 2001, jointly by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Department of Indian Systems of Medicine and Homeopathy (, now Ministry of AYUSH).

• The TKDL is a first of its kind globally that currently contains information from existing literature related to ISM such as Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa and Yoga.

•  The information is documented in a digitized format in five international languages which are English, German, French, Japanese and Spanish.

• TKDL provides information in languages and format understandable by patent examiners at Patent Offices worldwide, so as to prevent the erroneous grant of patents.

• Until now, access to the complete TKDL database is restricted to 14 Patent Offices worldwide for the purposes of search and examination.  This defensive protection through TKDL has been effective in safeguarding Indian traditional knowledge from misappropriation, and is considered a global benchmark.

Significance of widening access include;

• Widening of Traditional Knowledge Digital Library will drive research & development, and innovation on the basis of India’s valued heritage in diverse fields.

• It will also promote thought and knowledge leadership via Bharatiya Gnana Parampara, under New Education Policy 2020.

• This approval is focused towards integrating and co-opting traditional knowledge with current practices, in a bid to enhancing innovation and trade.

• This database will act as an important source of traditional knowledge information to advance knowledge and technology frontiers.

• This database can be accessed through a paid subscription model, which will be opened for national and international users in a phase-wise manner.