The Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) project is expected to cover a total of 1,50,000 traditional drug formulations treatments in Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Yoga by December 2006. The Traditional Knowledge fused with modern science is expected to lead to the discovery of new efficient and cost-effective drugs and health products.

The TKDL is a collaborative project of National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources (NISCAIR), Department of AYUSH and Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the TKDL project in January 2001. NISCAIR is the institute that conceptualised TKDL and has been implementing this network project since 2001. TKDL is an innovative application of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for inventorisation of Traditional Knowledge to preserve and protect the Indian Traditional Knowledge from bio-piracy at international level.

Transcription, scanning, verification and validation of 77,000 formulations are likely to be completed by December 2006, as part of the activities under TKDL Unani System of Medicine. The Phase II of this project was initiated in June 2004.

The second phase of TKDL Ayurveda which was initiated in August 2004, involves identification of 65,000 formulations from 45 Ayurveda texts, checking for transcription of approximately 28,000 new formulations. Transcription of 28,000 formulations along with their verification and validation, and scanning covering entire 65,000 formulations is likely to be completed by December 2006.

Traditional knowledge Resource Classification (TKRC) has been developed for Siddha system of Medicine. The transcription of Siddha formulations has been initiated and so far 1,000 formulations have been transcribed and the project is likely to be completed by December 2006. TKDL Siddha targets 10,000 formulations from 45 Tamil texts.

A Draft Task Force report and Traditional Knowledge Resource Classification on Yoga has been completed.

The first phase of the project of TKDL was completed during October 2003. This phase covered information present in 14 authentic Ayurvedic texts, providing translation in five international languages- English, German, French, Spanish and Japanese in patent application format. Over 36,000 formulations have been transcribed in patent application format.

The Union Cabinet gave its approval for authorising NISCAIR, CSIR, Department of Scientific and Industrial research to sign a non-disclosure agreement with International Patent Offices, for making Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) accessible to patent examiners during the end of June 2006.

Access to the TKDL database is to be given only to Patent offices to prevent the misappropriation of Traditional Knowledge of the country, under non-disclosure agreement. The major conditions included in the agreement include utilisation of the database for patent search and examination purposes only, no third party disclosure, and survival of obligations even after termination of the agreement.

The Cabinet has also approved the proposal to cover the entire cost of TKDL till completion which is approximately Rs10 crore. The entire work of TKDL would be completed by December 2007.