How not to destroy a sensitive file (vi)

Manual of Office Procedure 1972, Ministry of Home Affairs, Dept of Administrative Reforms

Page 64

Classification of records - Files may be recorded under any one of the following classes:

(1) Class 'A' meaning 'keep and print or microfilm' -This categorization will be adopted for:

(a) files of historical importance such as those listed in Part `B' of Appendix 23; and

(files which qualify for permanent preservation)

Page 144

APPENDIX 23

Illustrative list of records fit for permanent preservation because of (a) their value for administrative purpose, and (b) their historical importance.

….

B - Records of Historical importance

Much of the material likely to be preserved for administrative purposes will be of interest for research purpose as well; but papers of the following categories should be specially considered as of value to historians : --

Page 145

(5) Papers relating to a well-known public or international event or cause celebre, or to other events which gave rise to interest or controversy on the national plane.
…

(11) Any other specific category of records which, according to the departmental instructions issued in consultation with the National Archives, have to be treated as genuine source of information on any aspect of history - political, social, economic, etc., or are considered to be of biographical or antiquarian interest.

Page 68

Review and weeding of records - (1) No file other than ephemeral mentioned in para 80 will be weeded out without first reviewing its contents.

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(3) Class 'A' and Class 'B' files will be reviewed on attaining the 25th year of their life in consultation with the National Archives of India. In these reviews, the need for revising the original categorization of category 'B' files may also be considered.

Page 69

(8) The departmental record room will:-

(a) transfer class `A' and category `B' files surviving the review undertaken at the 25th year of their life vide sub-para (3) above, to the National Archives.