UNESCO’s Memory of the World Asia-Pacific Regional Register is a key topic under Art And Culture for UPSC Civil Services Examination. Key points include: Three Indian literary works were added to UNESCO's MOWCAP Regional Register in 2024.. These are Ramcharitmanas, Panchatantra, and Sahṛdayaloka-Locana.. IGNCA played a key role, making its first successful nominations since MOWCAP's 2008 inception.. Understanding this topic is essential for both UPSC Prelims and Mains preparation.
UNESCO’s Memory of the World Asia-Pacific Regional Register is a Easy-level topic in UPSC Art And Culture. It is tested in both Prelims (factual MCQs) and Mains (analytical answer writing). Previous year UPSC questions have frequently covered aspects of UNESCO’s Memory of the World Asia-Pacific Regional Register, making it essential for comprehensive IAS preparation.
To prepare UNESCO’s Memory of the World Asia-Pacific Regional Register for UPSC: (1) Study the comprehensive notes covering all key concepts on Vaidra. (2) Practice previous year questions on this topic. (3) Connect it with current affairs using daily updates. (4) Revise using key takeaways and mind maps available for Art And Culture. (5) Write practice answers linking UNESCO’s Memory of the World Asia-Pacific Regional Register to related GS Paper topics.

In 2024, three significant Indian documentary heritage items were included in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Asia-Pacific Regional Register. This marks a proud moment for India's rich cultural legacy.
These inclusions highlight the enduring value and global recognition of India's literary and philosophical contributions.
Each of the newly recognized works has a distinguished author whose contributions are foundational to Indian literature and thought.
The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) played a crucial role in securing this historic inclusion. IGNCA actively facilitated the nomination process.
This achievement took place during the 10th meeting of the Memory of the World Committee for Asia and the Pacific (MOWCAP). It signifies a major success for Indian cultural diplomacy and preservation efforts.
The Memory of the World (MoW) Program is a vital global initiative launched by UNESCO. Its primary objective is to safeguard and promote important documentary heritage worldwide.
The program aims to prevent the irreversible loss of documentary heritage and ensure its accessibility.
Within the broader MoW Program, a specific regional branch was established for the Asia Pacific region. This is known as the Memory of the World Committee for Asia and the Pacific (MOWCAP).
MOWCAP plays a critical role in identifying, preserving, and making accessible the documentary heritage specific to the diverse cultures of the Asia-Pacific region.

