January 22, 2026

Parliament Library Guide: Access Debates, Research Papers & The Digital Archive (LARRDIS)

📚 Tool Guide: Parliament Library (LARRDIS)

The Knowledge Hub

Access the institutional memory of the Indian Republic.

  • Official Portal: eparlib.nic.in
  • Physical Location: Sansadiya Gyanpeeth, Parliament Complex, New Delhi.
  • Key Resource: Constituent Assembly Debates (1946-1949).
  • Motto: "Knowledge is Power."
🏛️ DID YOU KNOW? The Parliament Library is the second largest library in India (after the National Library, Kolkata) and houses the original helium-filled case containing the Constitution of India.

Introduction: The Brain of the Legislature

(Why LARRDIS Matters)

When an Member of Parliament (MP) stands up in the Lok Sabha to speak on a Bill, where do they get their facts? When a Minister quotes a precedent from 1962, where did they find it?

The answer is LARRDIS (Library and Reference, Research, Documentation and Information Service).

Established in 1921, the Parliament Library is not just a collection of books; it is the intellectual backbone of Indian democracy. It provides objective, non-partisan research to MPs to help them legislate better. But its value extends far beyond the MPs.

For a citizen, the Parliament Library is the guardian of history. It stores the verbatim record of every single debate that has happened in the House since Independence. Do you want to know exactly what Dr. B.R. Ambedkar said about the Uniform Civil Code in 1948? Or what Atal Bihari Vajpayee said during the 1999 Vote of Confidence? It is all here, preserved and now digitized.

This guide will teach you how to navigate the Digital Parliament Library, how to find specific historic speeches, and how to apply for research fellowships if you are a scholar.

🔍 How to Search the Digital Archive (Step-by-Step)

You don't need to visit Delhi to read the archives. The Digital Library (eparlib.nic.in) is open to the world.

1. Searching for "Debates" (The Hansard)

Parliamentary debates are officially called "Lok Sabha Debates" or "Rajya Sabha Debates."

  • Step 1: Go to the "Debates" collection on the website.
  • Step 2: Select the Lok Sabha (e.g., "1st Lok Sabha" for 1952-1957 or "17th Lok Sabha" for 2019-2024).
  • Step 3: Use the "Advanced Search."
    • Keyword: Type "Article 370" or "Nuclear Deal."
    • Speaker: Type "Sushma Swaraj."
  • Result: You will get a PDF of the day's proceedings.
  • Why read this: Newspaper reports are summaries. The Debate Record is the exact word-for-word transcript, including interruptions and "Table Thumping."

2. The Constituent Assembly Debates (CAD)

This is the most precious collection.

  • Context: From 1946 to 1949, the Constituent Assembly met to draft the Constitution.
  • How to find: Look for the "Constituent Assembly Debates" section.
  • Usage: If you are a law student writing a paper on "Freedom of Speech," reading the original arguments of the founding fathers gives you the "Original Intent" of the Constitution.

3. Committee Reports

Parliament works through committees.

  • The "PAC" Reports: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) audits government spending. Their reports often expose scams.
  • The "Standing Committee" Reports: When a Bill is controversial (like the Data Protection Bill), it is sent to a Standing Committee. The committee calls experts and writes a report. Reading this report helps you understand the pros and cons of a law better than any news debate.

🏛️ The Building: Sansadiya Gyanpeeth

While the Digital Library is virtual, the physical library is an architectural marvel.

  • Name: Sansadiya Gyanpeeth (Temple of Knowledge).
  • Inaugurated: 2002 by President K.R. Narayanan.
  • Architecture:
    • It is a low-lying, modular building designed to not overshadow the main Parliament House.
    • The Domes: It features glass domes that allow natural light to flood the reading rooms (a symbol of transparency).
    • The Structure: It is built with red and beige sandstone, blending with the Lutyens style.
  • The "Helium Case":
    • In a high-security vault within the library, the Original Calligraphed Copy of the Constitution is kept in a nitrogen-filled (formerly helium) glass case to prevent the paper from decaying.

📑 Research Services: What LARRDIS Does for MPs

The "R" in LARRDIS stands for Research. This is a service unique to MPs.

1. The "Reference Note"

If an MP wants to speak on the "Artificial Intelligence Bill," they can send a request to LARRDIS. The library staff (who are subject matter experts) will prepare a neutral "Reference Note" containing:

  • The history of AI laws globally.
  • Data on AI usage in India.
  • Pros and Cons.
  • Note: These notes are increasingly being made public on the Digital Sansad App for citizens to read too.

2. The "Information Folder"

For every Bill introduced, LARRDIS prepares a folder with clippings, articles, and past legislation to help MPs prepare for the debate.

🎓 Fellowships for Citizens

You can actually get paid to research the Parliament.

The Lok Sabha Research Fellowships:

  • Objective: To encourage scholars to write books/papers on parliamentary democracy.
  • Eligibility: usually Scholars/Academics with a Ph.D. or significant experience.
  • Grant: The fellowship carries a grant (approx ₹10 Lakh, subject to revision) and lasts for 2 years.
  • Topics: Usually related to "Evolution of Parliamentary Committees" or "Women in Politics."
  • How to Apply: Watch for the notification on the Lok Sabha website (usually once a year).

🎟️ Visitor Access: Can I Visit?

Unlike the Public Gallery of the House, the Library is restricted.

  • Who can enter:
    • MPs (Past and Present).
    • Journalists with PIB Accreditation.
    • Research Scholars (PhD students) from recognized universities.
  • Procedure for Scholars:
    • You need a letter from your Guide/Head of Department.
    • Apply to the Director, Parliament Library.
    • If approved, you get a temporary pass to use the Reading Room. You cannot borrow books, but you can photocopy relevant pages.

Your gateway to the archives:

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is the difference between "Starred" and "Unstarred" Question records?

  • Starred: The record includes the oral answer by the Minister and the "Supplementary Questions" asked by MPs live in the House.
  • Unstarred: The record contains only the written statement tabled by the Minister.

Q2. Can I find the video of a speech from 1990?

Maybe. The video archives (managed by Sansad TV) largely date back to the early 1990s (when televising began). For debates before 1989, only the Text Records (Hansard) exist in the library.

Q3. Is the Library open on weekends?

For MPs, it stays open whenever the House is in session (even late at night). For scholars, it usually follows standard government working hours (Mon-Fri, 10 AM - 6 PM).

Q4. What is the "Gazetteer"?

The Library also maintains the Gazetteers of India—massive documents that describe the geography, history, and culture of every district in India. These are crucial for historical research.

Q5. Are the archives copyrighted?

Parliamentary debates are public records. You are free to quote them in books, articles, or videos. However, you should cite the source as "Lok Sabha Debates" or "Parliament Library" for authenticity.

Stay informed with Sansad Online. History is not just what happened; it's what was recorded. Explore the records today.