**Executive Summary**
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) undertakes the conservation and maintenance of 3,685 ancient monuments and archaeological sites of national importance. The National Culture Fund (NCF), established in 1996, aims to mobilize resources through Public Private Partnerships (PPP) for heritage site conservation and development. 655 antiquities have been retrieved from foreign countries since 1976.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Conservation and Maintenance by ASI:**
* ASI conserves and maintains 3,685 ancient monuments and archaeological sites.
* Maintenance includes amenities like drinking water, toilet blocks, pathways, and landscaping.
* Maintenance is a continuous process based on need and resource availability.
* **National Culture Fund (NCF):**
* Established in 1996 to mobilize resources through PPP mode.
* Aims to conserve and develop heritage sites.
* Donor/sponsors can specify projects for conservation or amenity development.
* Donor agencies must comply with NCF and ASI norms.
* **Monitoring and Evaluation:**
* The Project Implementation Committee (ASI, Donor, NCF) regularly monitors the progress of PPP projects approved by NCF.
* **Other**
* The National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (established in 2007) has documented 11,406 built heritage and sites, and 12,46,211 antiquities (www.nmma.nic.in).
* No pilot project has been initiated to allow private players, including corporate, PSUs or non-profit organizations, for conservation of Centrally Protected Monuments.
**Impact Analysis**
**ASI**
* **Impact:** Responsible for carrying out conservation and maintenance activities.
* **Action Required:** Continue conservation and maintenance as per established guidelines, and participate in the Project Implementation Committee for NCF-funded projects.
**Donors/Sponsors**
* **Impact:** Can contribute to the NCF and indicate specific projects for conservation.
* **Action Required:** Comply with NCF and ASI norms when contributing to projects.
**Project Implementation Committee (ASI, Donor, NCF)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for monitoring the progress of PPP projects.
* **Action Required:** Regularly monitor projects approved by the NCF under PPP mode.
**Union Minister for Culture and Tourism**
* **Impact:** Responsible for providing information regarding conservation efforts.
* **Action Required:** Provides information in written replies in Rajya Sabha.
Key Entities Referenced
National Culture Fund (NCF): A trust established to mobilize resources through Public Private Partnerships for heritage site conservation and development.
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI): Responsible for conservation and maintenance work of ancient monuments and archaeological sites.
Public Private Partnerships (PPP): Mode of resource mobilization for conservation and development of heritage sites.
Charitable Endowment Act, 1890: The Act under which the National Culture Fund was established as a Trust.
National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities: Mission established in 2007 to document and publish data on built heritage and sites.
Ministry of Culture
ASI takes up conservation and maintenance
work of 3,685 ancient monuments and
archaeological sites of national importance
National Culture Fund (NCF) with an objective to mobilize
extra resources through Public Private Partnerships (PPP)
mode towards conservation and development of heritage
sites
प्रव तथ: 04 DEC 2025 4:21PM by PIB Delhi
A total of 655 antiquities has been retrieved from foreign countries since 1976. Archaeological Survey of
India (ASI) takes up conservation and maintenance work of 3,685 ancient monuments and archaeological
sites of national importance including provision of amenities like drinking water, toilet blocks, pathways
and landscaping etc. across the country. Maintenance of these monuments and sites is a continuous
process and is taken up as per the need and availability of resources.
The National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities, established in 2007, has documented and published
data for 11,406 Built Heritage and Sites, and 12,46,211 Antiquities. The data has been published at the
NMMA website www.nmma.nic.in
Government has set up National Culture Fund (NCF) in 1996 as a Trust under the Charitable Endowment
Act, 1890 with an objective to mobilize extra resources through Public Private Partnerships (PPP) mode
towards conservation and development of heritage sites, and overall promotion of India’s cultural heritage
A donor/sponsor while making contributions to the NCF can indicate a project to be taken up for
conservation or developing amenities around any monument. The conservation of protected monuments is
carried out by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the same is maintained by them. All donor
agencies comply with the norms set up by NCF and ASI.
The progress of projects approved by the NCF under PPP mode for Centrally Protected Monuments are
regularly monitored by the Project Implementation Committee involving ASI, Donor and NCF.
No Pilot Project has been initiated to allow private players, including corporate, PSUs or non-profit
organizations, for conservation of Centrally Protected Monuments.
This information was given by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh
Shekhawat in written replies in Rajya Sabha today
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M Annadurai
pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com(रलीज़ आईडी: 2198749) आगंतुक पटल : 939
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