The Anthropological Survey of India (ASI), under the Ministry of Culture, is conducting several research projects focused on vulnerable populations, border communities, and national development initiatives. Current research includes genomic studies of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), examination of ethnic groups on the Chhattisgarh interstate borders, impact assessment of the Vibrant Village Programme in Himalayan border villages, social impact evaluation of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), reconstruction of the Indus-Saraswati Civilization's paleo-climate and drought events, and exploration of healthy aging through the EHSAS project, integrating epigenetics and digital technology.
Over the past five years, ASI research has supported drug discovery and native crop cultivation, assessed socioeconomic changes in Himalayan border areas (promoting women's empowerment and tourism), raised awareness of active aging, enriched historical knowledge, promoted awareness of genetic risks, and provided policy recommendations for the inclusion of De-Notified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Communities.
As of August 18, 2025, the ASI has the following sanctioned and vacant posts:
* **Scientific:**
* Group A: 52 sanctioned (26 vacant)
* UR: 21 sanctioned (4 vacant)
* OBC: 14 sanctioned (10 vacant)
* SC: 7 sanctioned (4 vacant)
* ST: 3 sanctioned (1 vacant)
* EWS: 5 sanctioned (5 vacant)
* PwD: 2 sanctioned (2 vacant)
* Group B: 37 sanctioned (7 vacant)
* UR: 17 sanctioned (2 vacant)
* OBC: 9 sanctioned (1 vacant)
* SC: 5 sanctioned (0 vacant)
* ST: 2 sanctioned (0 vacant)
* EWS: 3 sanctioned (3 vacant)
* PwD: 1 sanctioned (1 vacant)
* Group C: No posts in the Scientific Category.
* **Administrative:**
* Group A: 1 sanctioned (1 vacant)
* UR: 1 sanctioned (1 vacant)
* Group B: 182 sanctioned (88 vacant)
* UR: 66 sanctioned (26 vacant)
* OBC: 50 sanctioned (24 vacant)
* SC: 27 sanctioned (14 vacant)
* ST: 14 sanctioned (7 vacant)
* EWS: 18 sanctioned (15 vacant)
* PwD: 7 sanctioned (2 vacant)
* Group C: 176 sanctioned (73 vacant)
* UR: 66 sanctioned (26 vacant)
* OBC: 47 sanctioned (18 vacant)
* SC: 26 sanctioned (10 vacant)
* ST: 13 sanctioned (6 vacant)
* EWS: 17 sanctioned (10 vacant)
* PwD: 7 sanctioned (3 vacant)
The ASI follows established recruitment and transfer policies. Looking ahead, the ASI aims to align its research with national policies to promote socioeconomic development, address public health, and preserve cultural heritage.
This information was provided by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. For further details, contact Sunil Kumar Tiwari at pibcultureatgmaildotcom. Release ID: 2157466.
Key Entities Referenced
Anthropological Survey of India: Organization conducting research projects focused on various aspects of Indian society and culture.
Ministry of Culture: The government ministry overseeing the Anthropological Survey of India.
Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups PVTGs: Specific tribal groups in India identified as particularly vulnerable, subject of gut microbial genomic study.
Chhattisgarh, India: Indian state where research is being conducted on ethnic groups on interstate borders.
Vibrant Village programme: Government initiative being assessed for its impact in Himalayan border villages with reference to tourism development.
Jal Jeevan Mission JJM: Government mission focused on providing clean tap water, undergoing social impact evaluation.
IndusSaraswati Civilization: Ancient civilization subject of PaleoClimate and drought event reconstruction using stable isotope and ancient DNA analyses.
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat: Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, provided information in Lok Sabha.
Ministry of Culture
Anthropological Survey of India
Posted On: 18 AUG 2025 4:04PM by PIB Delhi
The details of different ongoing research projects in Anthropological Survey of India are as under:
i. Gut Microbial Genomic Study among the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) of India.
ii. Ethnic groups on the inter-state borders of Chhattisgarh, India and their identities, intra and inter-ethnic
relationships, and development concerns.
iii. Impact assessment of the Vibrant Village programme in Himalayan border villages with special
reference to tourism development.
iv. Transformative changes in rural India through Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) through a social impact
evaluation from an anthropological perspective.
v. Reconstructing the Impact of Paleo-Climate and drought event of Indus-Saraswati Civilization using
stable isotope and ancient DNA analyses.
vi. Exploring Healthy and Successful Ageing in Smart India (EHSAS) by integrating epigenetics, the
digital divide, and energy expenditure with reference to Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence
(AI) and Machine Learning (ML).
During the last five years, research done by Anthropological Survey of India has significantly benefited
various sections of society, with a focus on the economically weaker sections. The Microbe Data Bank
initiative supports discovery of drugs and promotes native crop cultivation, aiding public health and farmers’
livelihoods. The Vibrant Village Programme has assessed socio-economic changes in Himalayan border
areas, promoting women’s empowerment, cultural preservation, tourism, and sustainable development.
Through EHSAS, awareness on active ageing has reduced health risks and costs for elderly citizens. The
Paleo project has enriched historical knowledge, fostering cultural pride and heritage-based opportunities. The
Community Genetics Extension Programme has spread awareness on genetic risks, enabling timely
interventions and informed health choices. The study of De-Notified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic
Communities provides recommendations for policy formulation and plans to ensure their inclusion in
mainstream society. Overall, these initiatives have advanced health, livelihoods, cultural preservation, and
policy inclusion, directly uplifting vulnerable and marginalized communities.
The details and the number of scientist and administrative posts sanctioned and vacant in the Anthropological
Survey of India, UR, OBC, SC/ST, PWD etc., category-wise are as under :
Scientific:
T o t a l
Total Vacant
Group S a n c t i o n e d Category Sanctioned Posts Vacant Posts
Posts
Posts
Group A 52 26 UR 21 04
OBC 14 10
SC 07 04
ST 03 01
EWS 05 05
PwD 02 02
Group B 37 07 UR 17 02OBC 09 01
SC 05 00
ST 02 00
EWS 03 03
PwD 01 01
Group C There is no Group C post in Scientific Category.
Administrative:
Total Sanctioned Total Vacant
Group Category Sanctioned Posts Vacant Posts
Posts Posts
Group A 01 01 UR 01 01
Group B 182 88 UR 66 26
OBC 50 24
SC 27 14
ST 14 07
EWS 18 15
PwD 07 02
Group C 176 73 UR 66 26
OBC 47 18
SC 26 10
ST 13 06
EWS 17 10
PwD 07 03
The Anthropological Survey of India follows the recruitment rules notified for various posts under it. The
recruitment process is conducted in accordance with these notified recruitment rules.
The Anthropological Survey of India follows the transfer policy approved by the Ministry of Culture.
Employee transfers are carried out in accordance with prescribed guidelines.
Over the next ten years, the Anthropological Survey of India envisages to align its research with national
policies and programmes to contribute to the vision of a developed India. The vision includes promoting
socio-economic development of marginalized communities through comprehensive social impact and needs
assessments, addressing public health concerns and preserving India’s rich tangible and intangible cultural
heritage.
This information was given by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a
written reply in Lok Sabha today.
****
Sunil Kumar Tiwari
pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com(Release ID: 2157466)