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Date: 2025-12-15 Category: Press Release State: Union Government Country: India

Activities of National Research Laboratory enhances scientific Conservation of India’s Cultural Heritage

Issued by Ministry of Culture · Not Applicable

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Executive Summary & Key Takeaways

**Executive Summary** This document outlines the activities of the National Research Laboratory for Conservation of Cultural Property (NRLC) for the period 2021-2026. It provides details on allocated budgets and expenditures, ongoing and completed research projects, publications, conservation projects, and training programs. The information was provided by the Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Lok Sabha. **Key Points / Main Content** * **Financial Overview (2021-2026)** * Provides a year-wise breakdown of allocated budgets and expenditures (in Lakh). * **National Research Laboratory for Conservation of Cultural Property (NRLC)** * Established in 1976 as a subordinate office of the Ministry of Culture in Lucknow. * Mandate includes dating, environmental archaeology, technical study, conservation methods, documentation, assistance to other labs, training, and liaison with national/international bodies. * **Research Activities** * **Ongoing Projects:** Lists 5 ongoing research projects with details on the effect of tin in bronze alloys, silane coatings, cuprite and malachite layers, additive proportions on mortar strength, and environmental factors on mortar durability. Each project lists the Principal Investigator. * **Completed Projects:** Lists 4 completed research projects with details on corrosion protection performance, influence of polyvinyl acetate coating, electrochemical impedance, and structure-property correlation of copper alloy coins. Each project lists the Principal Investigator. * **Publications:** * Lists 39 publications authored or co-authored by NRLC researchers. * **Conservation Projects** * Details various conservation projects undertaken from 2020-2025 at different museums and temples. * Includes project title, nature of objects conserved, and the number of objects conserved. * **Training in Conservation** * Details various practical training courses and workshops conducted in conservation from 2020-2026. * Includes the name of the course and the number of participants. * **NRLC- Library** * Offers services including circulation and reference to patrons. **Impact Analysis** **Stakeholder: Ministry of Culture** * **Impact:** Informed of NRLC's activities in conservation of cultural property and its alignment with departmental goals. * **Action Required:** Review and use information for policy and resource allocation related to cultural heritage preservation. **Stakeholder: Researchers at NRLC** * **Impact:** Outlines ongoing and completed research activities, publications, and training responsibilities. * **Action Required:** Continue research and training, and document and report on progress. **Stakeholder: Museums and Temples** * **Impact:** Benefits from conservation projects undertaken by NRLC, preserving artifacts and cultural heritage. * **Action Required:** Collaborate with NRLC on conservation efforts and provide necessary access and support. **Stakeholder: Trainees and Students** * **Impact:** Opportunity to participate in practical training courses and workshops on conservation of cultural property. * **Action Required:** Apply for and participate in training programs to enhance skills and knowledge in conservation.

Key Entities Referenced

Ministry of Culture: The central government ministry responsible for the National Research Laboratory for Conservation of Cultural Property (NRLC). National Research Laboratory for Conservation of Cultural Property (NRLC): A research laboratory established in Lucknow in 1976, subordinate to the Ministry of Culture, focused on dating, environmental archaeology, and conservation of cultural property. Lok Sabha: Parliament of India to which information was given.
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Ministry of Culture Activities of National Research Laboratory enhances scientific Conservation of India’s Cultural Heritage प्रव तथ: 15 DEC 2025 4:09PM by PIB Delhi The details of the activities of the National Research Laboratory for conservation of cultural property during the last five years are attached as Annexure-I. Details of fund allocation for its activities during the last five years as under: - Financial Year Allocated Budget (in Lakh) Expenditure (in Lakh) 2021-22 919.22 842.22 2022-23 539.00 465.48 2023-24 454.07 412.78 2024-25 419.72 403.68 2025-26 488.00 293.53 (up to 30.11.2025) This information was given by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Lok Sabha today *** M Annadurai ANNEXURE-‘I’ The details of the activities of National Research Laboratory for Conservation of Cultural Property during the last five yearsNational Research Laboratory for Conservation of Cultural Property (NRLC), Lucknow established in 1976 is a subordinate office of the Ministry of Culture. It is a premier research organization with the mandate to Dating, Environmental Archaeology, Technical study by physical and chemical means, Conservation methods, Reference documentation, Assistance to other laboratories, Assistance to museums- state departments of archaeology-ASI-universities-libraries having no laboratory, training in conservation and liaison with national and international bodies. 2. The details of the activities of National Research Laboratory for Conservation of Cultural Property (NRLC) during the last five years in various fields are as follows: - RESEARCH Ongoing Projects 1. Effect of Tin in Bronze Alloys on the Corrosion Protection Efficacy of Modified Paraloid B72 Coating, Principal Investigator: Dr. Preeti Verma, Funding Agency: DST–SHRI, Project Cost: 62 lakh (Approx.) 2. Evaluation of Silane Coatings for Enhancing Corrosion Resistance of Copper Cultural Artifacts, Principal Investigator: Dr. Preeti Verma 3. Effect of Cuprite and Malachite Layers on the Corrosion Protection Efficacy of Paraloid B72 and PMMA Coatings on Copper Substrates, Principal Investigator: Dr. Preeti Verma, Project Member: Mr. Shailesh B. 4. The effect of different additive proportions on the compressive strength of mortars prepared as per the ASTM Standard, Principal Investigator: Dr. K.S.S. Mounika, Co-PI: Dr. Preeti Verma (Project to be undertaken) 5. The impact of UV exposure, relative humidity, temperature and salt spray tests on the durability of these mortar samples, Dr. K.S.S. Mounika, Co-PI: Dr. Preeti Verma (Project to be undertaken) Completed Projects 1. Corrosion Protection Performance of Paraloid B72 Coating Modified by Dispersion of Nano Aluminium Oxide Powder on Iron Using EIS, Principal Investigator: Dr. Preeti Verma, Sponsored by INSA 2. Influence of Polyvinyl Acetate Coating Concentration on Corrosion Behavior of Copper: In Perspective of Cultural Artifacts, Principal Investigator: Dr. Preeti Verma 3. Electrochemical Impedance and Surface Characterization of Microcrystalline Wax Coating on Copper for Conservation Application, Principal Investigator: Dr. Preeti Verma 4. Structure- Property Correlation of the Copper Alloy Coins of different Periods and Regions such as Kaushambi, Sasanian, Mughal, British Coins, Principal Investigator: Dr. Preeti Verma PUBLICATIONS 1. Tahseen Karche, M.R. Singh (2021), Biologically induced calcium oxalate mineralization on 15th century lime mortar, Murud Seafort, India, Journal of Archaeological Science : Reports, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2021.103178 2. Anjali Sharma, M.R. Singh (2021), A Review on Historical Earth Pigments Used in India’s Wall Paintings, Heritage, https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage 40301123. M.R. Singh, K. Ganaraj, V.M. Sharma (2021), Microbial activity and studies on excavated megalithic micaceous potsherds from Peninsular India, Cermica, 67 (2021) 250-260, http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0366-69132021673823026 4. Deepakshi Sharma, M.R. Singh, M. Velayudhan Nair (2021), Scientific analysis of indigenous materials in Indian palm-leaf manuscripts, ICOM-CC, 19th Triennial Conference, 2021 Beijing 5. B. Dighe, M.R. Singh, T. Karche (2021), Traditional use of organic additives (bamboo foliage, flax fibre and millet grains) in 16th century lime plaster of Solapur Fort, India, Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge, Vol 20(1), January 2021, pp 106-116 6. Vandana Singh, M.R. Singh (2021), Microscopic Imaging of Entrapped Slag in Ancient Iron Artifact (300 BCE) from the Middle Ganga Plains of India, International Journal of History of Science, VOL 55.4, pp 1-9. 7. Anjali Sharma, M.R. Singh and Karambir Singh (2021), Transfer of Wall Paintings in India: A Review and Approach, Studies in Conservation DOI:10.1080/00393630. 2021.1890425 8. Siva Sankar Panda, Neena Singh and M.R. Singh (2021), Development, characterization of traditional inks for restoration of ancient manuscripts and application on various substrates to understand stability, https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.vibspec.2021.103232 9. Preeti Verma et. al., “Influence of Polyvinyl Acetate Coating Concentration on Corrosion Behaviour Of Copper: In Perspective of Cultural Artefacts”, Canadian Metallurgical Quarterly (2025): 1-10. 10. Preeti Vermaet. al., Microstructural Characterization of EarlyTwentieth-Century British Period Indian Copper Coins, X-Ray Spectrometry, 50 (6) (2021): 482-490 11. Preeti Vermaet. al., Microscopic Examination of the 2,300 Year Old Excavated Steel Plowshare From Northern India, X-Ray Spectrometry 48 (6) 674-681 12. Preeti Vermaet. al., Metallurgical Investigations of Indo-Sasanian Copper-Silver Alloy Coins Of Gurjara-Pratiharas Dynasty, Metallurgical And Materials Engineering(2020) ISSN 2217-8961 13. Preeti Vermaet. al., “Microstructural Characterization of High Tin Bronze Mirror, Arnamula, Kerala”, Research And Developments In Material Processing, Modelling and Characterization (RDMPMC 2020), Aug 24-26, 2020, NIT Jamshedpur. 14. Preeti Verma et. al., Microstructural Characterization Of Early Twentieth Century British Period Indian Copper Coins, Webinar For Young Researchers In Metallurgical & Materials Science, Aug 12-14, 2020, CSIR-NML. 15. Preeti Verma, et al. The Corrosion Behavior of The Paraloid B72 Protective Coating On Copper Using EIS, International Conference On Corrosion And Coating (i3c), December 07-08, 2022, CSIR, NML 16. Preeti Verma et. al., Effect of Concentration and Multilayered Paraloid B72 Coating On Corrosion Behaviour of Mild Steel, Eis, International Conference On Corrosion And Coating (i3C), February 07-08, 2022, CSIR, NML. 17. 01Book on the Conservation of Metallic Artifacts is also about to be finalised. 18. 05 Manuscripts are under review and about to be submitted. 19. Sanjay Prasad Gupta and Sachin Kumar Agnihotri (2025). Fungal Deterioration of Monument with Special Reference to Aspergillus: A Case Study. International Journal of Development Research. 15 (01): 67586-67588. 20. Sanjay Prasad Gupta (2025). Eco-Friendly Methods To Control Bio-Deterioration Of Cultural Property. Conservation of Cultural Property in India Vol.(43):190-193. 21. Sanjay Prasad Gupta and Sachin Kumar Agnihotri (2025). Fungal deterioration of monument with special reference to As per gillus: A case study. Conservation of Cultural Property in India Vol. (43):169-173. 22. Presentation on title “Preserving Cultural Heritage through natural insect repellent: Sustainable strategies for Scientific Conservation and Preservation of Cultural Property” in the 52th Nationalconference of IASC on Conservation of Cultural Property held on 23rd-25th Sep 2025 at Assam State Museum, Guwahati. 23. Presentation on title “Bio-deterioration of Cultural Property and their Eco- friendly Conservation” in the National conference of ICBCP held on 25th-27th Feb 2025 at Manipur University, Imphal. 24. Sanjay Prasad Gupta and Sachin Kumar Agnihotri (2024). Fungal deterioration of monument with reference to Queen’s Mosque and Tomb at Sarangpur, Ahmedabad, India. International Journal of Biology Innovations, 7(2): 149-152. 25. Sanjay Prasad Gupta and Sachin Kumar Agnihotri (2024). Bio-deterioration and scientific preservation of Queen’s Mosque, J. Env. Sci. Pollut. Res. 10(3): 498–500. 26. Sanjay Prasad Gupta and Iliyas Ahmad. (2024). New Approach for Restoration of Ivory and Ivory Inlay object with reference to objects at Maharaja Laxmishwar Singh Museum, Darbhanga, India : A Case Study. Conservation of Cultural Property in India. Vol (42):142-146. 27. Presentation on title “Eco-Friendly Methods to Control Bio-Deterioration of Cultural Property” in the 51st National conference of IASC on Conservation, Technology and Scientific Study of Ancient and Historic Metals held on 14th-15th Sep 2024 at MMCF, Udaipur. 28. Presentation on title “Bio Deterioration of ancient monuments: Cause and Remidial Measures” in the Environment & Social Welfare Society, Khajuraho organized ESW XI annual National Research Conference held on 28th- 29thJan 2024 Khajuraho. 29. Sanjay Prasad Gupta and Iliyas Ahmed. Conservation of Wooden Monuments of Maldives: An Endeavour of Padmasri O.P. Agrawal Gains Reputation to the Nation. A chapter in a book of Biodeterioration of Cultural Property and Researches on Conservation of Heritage Buildings, Maya Publishing House, New Delhi, 259-280,2023. 30. Sanjay Prasad Gupta and Iliyas Ahmad. (2024). New Approach for Restoration of Ivory and Ivory Inlay object with reference to objects at Maharaja Laxmishwar Singh Museum, Darbhanga, India : A Case Study. Conservation of Cultural Property in India. Vol(42):142-146. 31. Sanjay Prasad Gupta and Sachin Kumar Agnihotri, Fungal deterioration of historical monument with reference to Jaleshwarnath temple of Shivpur, Chhattisgarh, India. International Journal of Biology Sciences , 5(2): 19-21, 2023. 32. Sanjay Prasad Gupta and Sachin Kumar Agnihotri. Fungal Involvement in Bio weathering of Historical Monument with reference to Bateshwar Hindu Temples, Morena Town of Madhya Pradesh, India, International Journal of Current Research Vol. 15, Issue, 08, pp.25631-25634 August, 2023. 33. Gupta, S.P. & Agnihotri S.K. Isolation and Identification of Fungal Species and Scientific Preservation of World Heritage: Case of Fatehpur Sikri, Uttar Pradesh, India. 34. The book titled “Modern Perspectives in the Field of Cultural Heritage Conservation” authored by Sanjay Prasad Guha and Atul Kumar Yadav, published in Hindi by Maya Publication, New Delhi. Sanjay Prasad Gupta. Fungal Involvement in Bio Weathering of Historical Monument with Reference to Gopinath Temple at Gopeshwar Town, Chamoli, Uttrakhand, India. International Journal of science and Research (IJSR).Vol-12 (1,) 356- 358:2023. 35. Sanjay Prasad Gupta and Manoj Kumar Kurmi. Impact of Fungi on Historical Monument with reference to Mahadev temple Bastar of Chhattisgarh. International Journal of Life Science and Research Archive, 04(01,001-005:2023. 36. Sanjay Prasad Gupta and Rohit Mishra. Fungal Involvement in Bio Weathering of Historical Monument with Reference to Rumi Darwazaat Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh), India, International Journal of Science and Technology Research Archive,04(01), 222-225:2023 Sanjay Prasad Gupta and Nitin Kumar Maurya. Microbial Studies to Evaluate Bio- Deterioration of Oil Painting on Masonite board and its Conservation, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) 11:1,723-728:2022.37. Sanjay Prasad Gupta and Iliyas Ahmed. Selection of Adhesives And Fillers In Conservation Of Wooden Monument Deteriorated By Termite With Reference To Dharumavantha Rasegafanu Mosque at male, Maldives, International Journal of Current Research, 14, (02), 20596-20600:2022. 38. Sanjay Prasad Gupta et al. Sanitization-mediated Conservation Therapy of Cultural Property in COVID Situation: an Eco-Friendly Approach German Journal of Advanced Scientific Research (AJASR), Vol. 1, Issue. 1, pp. 1-4:2021. 39. Sanjay Prasad Gupta et al. Efficacy of Natural Plant Product For Preventive Preservation Of Documentary Heritage Against Aspergillus Flavus: A Case Study. INT J CONSERV SCI 12, 2,: 443-450 444:2021. CONSERVATION S.No Project Title Nature of objects No of objects conserved Year 2020-2021 1. Conservation Project at SMM Collection mainly contains 101 Theatre crafts museum, New polychrome wooden masks, leather Delhi. puppets, wooden artifacts, paper materials etc. related to Indian folklore arts. 2. Conservation Projects of Cloths, Water pots, stoves etc. 1358 personal belongings of Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar at NIT, Nagpur 3. Conservation project at Shree The paintings were used for worship 02 Maruti Temple Project, KR during the Ramanavami festival Nagar, Karnataka- procession. They have great artistic and cultural significance in traditional Mysore painting. 2021-2022 Conservation Project at Collection is made of ivory, silver, 176 4. Maharajadhiraj Laxmeshwar bone and wooden artifacts Singh Museum, Darbhanga, Bihar5. Conservation of different types of Manuscripts of Rahul Sankrityayan, 500 folios of objects of Patna Museum, Patna silica paintings, glass paintings, cloths manuscripts, 12 silica paintings 6 glass paintings 2022-2023 & 2023-2024 6. Conservation Project at Sultanpur Collection of sculptures from 12th to 76 Museum, Uttar Pradesh 17th Century and paintings of different styles, wooden sculptures of Ganesha. 7. Conservation Project of Golden 18th century Golden Chariot of 01 Chariot at Sri Chitra Enclave, Travancore royal family used by Kings Trivandrum, Zoo campus for Dushera festivals. It is huge chariot of 18x9x23 feet in dimension. beautifully decorated with gold foil and silver thread 2023-24-25 8. Conservation Project at J.J Paintings of contemporary artists of 100 college of arts, Mumbai Maharashtra states 9. Conservation Project at J.J Books related to Fine arts 100 college of arts, Mumbai 10. Conservation Project at Sri Feature exquisite mural paintings and 350 Sq. foot Ambujavalli Temple, Mysore architecture resembling the temples of Karnataka- Sri Varahaswami and Belur and Somnathpura. Inscriptions Ambujavalli temples, located suggest construction between 1672– within the Mysore Palace 1704 AD. Historical records note that premises, Sri Chikkadevaraja Wadiyar brought the Varahaswami deity from Srirangapatna in 1809 and commissioned this temple in Hoyasala style. The Ambujavalli temple was built during the reign of Mummadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, marking the peak of Mysore’s traditional art. Temple construction dates are known but the painting dates remain unrecorded.2024-2025 11. Conservation Project at Shree According to the temple trust, the 02 Maruti temple project, KR Nagar, paintings are over ninety years old and Karnataka they are used for worship during the Ramanavami festival procession. They have great artistic and cultural significance in traditional Mysore painting. 12. Conservation Project of Oil Oil paintings were made of Begam 02 paintings of Begam Samruat Samru, paintings were decorated with (7x4 ft size ) Rajbhawan Lucknow. beautiful frames with original gold paint which was hidden under several layers of commercial gold paint. Joanna Nobilis Sombre (c. 1753 – 27 January 1836), popularly known Begum Samru, a convert Catholic Christian, started her career as dancing girl in 18th-century India, and eventually became the ruler of Sardhana a small principality near Meerut. TRAINING IN CONSERVATION Year Name of the course/Practical training course/workshop Number of participants 2020-21 Six months course in conservation of cultural property. 07 2021-22 Six months course in conservation of cultural property 05Two weeks practical training in conservation of art objects for the 12 students M.A. Museology of department of museology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi Two weeks practical training course in conservation of museum objects 22 for the students of Post Graduate Diploma in Museology and Archaeology of Sampurnanand University, Varanasi Two weeks practical training course in conservation of museum objects 10 for the master students of Museology of Rabindra Bharti University, Kolkata 2022-23 Six months course in conservation of cultural property 09 Practical training course in Conservation Oil Paintings 11 Practical training course in Conservation Wall Paintings 07 Two weeks practical training course in conservation of museum objects 23 for the master students of Museology of Rabindra Bharti University, Kolkata Two weeks practical training course in conservation of museum objects 26 for the students of Post Graduate Diploma in Museology and Archaeology of Sampurnanand University, Varanasi Two weeks practical training in conservation of art objects for the 10 students M.A. Museology of department of museology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 2023-24 Six months course in conservation of cultural property 11Two weeks practical training course in conservation of museum objects 16 for the students of Post Graduate Diploma in Museology and Archaeology of Sampurnanand University, Varanasi Two weeks practical training in conservation of art objects for the 08 students M.A. Museology of department of museology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi Two weeks practical training in conservation of paintings for the 06 students M.A. Museology of department of M.A. Conservation of School of Heritage research &Management, New Delhi. Two weeks practical training in conservation of paintings for the 06 students M.A. Museology of department of M.A. Museology of department of museology, Maharaja Saijirao Gaykwad University, Vadodara Two weeks practical training course in conservation of museum objects 25 for the master students of Museology of Rabindra Bharti University, Kolkata 2024-25 Six months course in conservation of cultural property 29 Two weeks practical training in conservation of Museum objects for 15 the students M.A. Museology of department of M.A. Conservation of School of Heritage research & Management, New Delhi Two weeks practical training in conservation of art objects for the 08 students M.A. Museology of department of museology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi Two weeks practical training course in conservation of museum objects 26 for the students of Post Graduate Diploma in Museology and Archaeology of Sampurnanand University, Varanasi Two weeks practical training course in conservation of museum objects 33 for the master students of Museology of Rabindra Bharti University, Kolkata2025 -26 One week international workshop by NRLC on Conservation of 28 Paintings practices in India at National Gallery of Fine Arts, Kula Lumpur, Malaysia Six months course in conservation of cultural property 24 NRLC- Library offered circulation services and reference Services to the patrons including staff, six months trainees, research scholars, etc. covering various parts of India. ******** (रलीज़ आईडी: 2204100) आगंतुक पटल : 315 इस वज्ञ को इन भाषाओ ंम पढ़: Urdu , ही

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