The Narendra Modi government today officially handed over the first set of files related to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose to the Director General, National Archives of India, setting the stage for their declassification beginning on 23rd January, 2016.


Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had on 14th October, 2015 met Netaji's family at 7-RCR and had assured the family members that the emotions and aspirations they had expressed were fully shared by him and his government.


The government has announced that declassification and public release of the files would begin on 23rd January, 2016, the birth anniversary of Netaji. The first batch of 33 PMO files have been cleared, and were handed over to the National Archives of India today for further processing, preservation and digitization, in preparation for the final release to the nation of all 58 files in the PMO.


The Minister of State for Home Affairs Haribhai Parathibhai Chaudhary told Parliament two days ago that the government is examining all the files in its custody for the purpose of declassifying the same.


The Ministry of Home Affairs is in possession of 12 files. Among these 12 files, three files are classified and nine files are unclassified,' the minister said.


He said as per available record, as on date Prime Minister's Office is in possession of 58 files. Among these 58 files, 41 files are classified and 17 files are unclassified, he said.


The minister said there are approximately 90 classified files in the Ministry of External Affairs relating to Netaji. He said all classified records (total 990 files) with the Defence Ministry pertaining to Indian National Army were declassified and transferred to National Archives of India.