**Summary:**
This statement from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), issued on August 8, 2025, addresses and refutes reports from an independent media outlet concerning the ASI's budget and expenditure. The ASI clarifies that these reports are misleading and inaccurate. The ASI operates six excavation branches and has authorized ASI Circles to conduct excavations. The budget allocation for exploration and excavation has increased significantly under the current government. In fiscal year 2024-25, ₹15.00 crore was allocated, a 2.3-fold increase from the ₹6.53 crore allocated in 2014-15. The ASI is currently undertaking excavations at 22 sites across the country. The agency emphasizes that its mandate includes producing comprehensive excavation reports with rigorous scientific findings.
Budget provision and expenditure under the head Other Charges Exploration Excavation 16.01.49.
| SL.No. | SubHead | Year | Allotment (Lakhs) | Expenditure (Lakhs) | % Expenditure |
|-------|------------------|---------|-------------------|----------------------|----------------|
| 1 | 16.01.50:OC EE | 2014-15 | 643.00 | 630.00 | 97.97 |
| 2 | 16.01.50:OC EE | 2015-16 | 713.00 | 686.97 | 96.34 |
| 3 | 16.01.50:OC EE | 2016-17 | 797.00 | 769.08 | 96.49 |
| 4 | 16.01.50:OC EE | 2017-18 | 948.00 | 939.39 | 99.09 |
| 5 | 16.01.50:OC EE | 2018-19 | 625.00 | 618.21 | 99.00 |
| 6 | 16.01.50:OC EE | 2019-20 | 360.00 | 354.44 | 98.00 |
| 7 | 16.01.50:OC EE | 2020-21 | 250.00 | 248.30 | 99.00 |
| 8 | 16.01.50:ORE EE | 2021-22 | 609.00 | 607.96 | 100.00 |
| 9 | 16.01.50:ORE EE | 2022-23 | 1000.00 | 999.85 | 99.00 |
| 10 | 16.01.49:ORE EE | 2023-24 | 1130.00 | 1128.00 | 99.00 |
| 11 | 16.01.49:ORE EE | 2024-25 | 1262.00 | 1251.24 | 99.14 |
| 12 | 16.01.49:ORE EE | 2025-26 | 1500.00 | 745.60 | 49.71 |
The ASI asserts that funds allocated under "Other Charges Exploration Excavation Head 16.01.49" have been utilized responsibly and in accordance with sanctioned allocations. The ASI reaffirms its dedication to transparency and scientific standards. For further information, contact Sunil Kumar Tiwari at pibcultureatgmaildotcom. The Release ID for this statement is 2154491.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Culture: The Indian government ministry responsible for the preservation and promotion of art and culture.
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI): An Indian government agency responsible for archaeological research and the conservation and preservation of cultural monuments in the country.
Nagpur, Maharashtra: Location of one of the six dedicated Excavation Branches of the ASI.
Delhi, Delhi: Location of one of the six dedicated Excavation Branches of the ASI.
Patna, Bihar: Location of one of the six dedicated Excavation Branches of the ASI.
Bhubaneswar, Odisha: Location of one of the six dedicated Excavation Branches of the ASI.
Vadodara, Gujarat: Location of one of the six dedicated Excavation Branches of the ASI.
Mysore, Karnataka: Location of one of the six dedicated Excavation Branches of the ASI.
Ministry of Culture
Budget and Expenditure of the ASI for FY 2024-25
Posted On: 08 AUG 2025 9:36PM by PIB Delhi
It has come to the notice of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) that certain reports published by an
independent media outlet regarding the budget and expenditure of the ASI are misleading and do not reflect
the factual position.
The ASI operates six (06) dedicated Excavation Branches located at Nagpur, Delhi, Patna, Bhubaneswar,
Vadodara and Mysore, which are mandated to carry out archaeological exploration and excavation works
annually. In recent years, ASI Circles have also been authorized to conduct excavations, further augmenting
the scale and scope of such activities.
The budget allocation for exploration and excavation has witnessed a substantial increase under the
Government of India. In 2024-25, an amount of ₹15.00 crore has been allocated under this head - an increase
of about 2.3 times over the allocation of ₹6.53 crore in 2014-15. This enhancement underscores the
Government’s commitment to the preservation, research, and scientific study of the nation’s archaeological
wealth.
In the current year alone, ASI has been undertaking excavations at 22 sites across the country. Excavation is a
meticulous and time-intensive process, with excavated materials, including artefacts and pottery, undergoing
detailed scientific examination and analysis. ASI’s mandate is not merely to unearth sites but to produce
comprehensive excavation reports, incorporating rigorous scientific findings to deepen the understanding of
India’s cultural heritage.
The budget provision and expenditure under the head “Other Charges (Exploration & Excavation) – 16.01.49”
clearly demonstrate that the funds allocated have been utilised in a planned and accountable manner, with
expenditure closely aligned to sanctioned allocations.
Details of Budget provision and Expenditure in respect of other Charges
(Exploration & Excavation) Head-16.01.49
(Amount in Lakhs)
Budget % age of
SL.No. Sub-Head Year Expenditure
Allotment Expenditure
16.01.50:OC
1. 2014-15 643.00 630.00 97.97
(EE)
16.01.50:OC
2. 2015-16 713.00 686.97 96.34
(EE)
16.01.50:OC
3. 2016-17 797.00 769.08 96.49
(EE)
16.01.50:OC
4. 2017-18 948.00 939.39 99.09
(EE)
16.01.50:OC
5. 2018-19 625.00 618.21 99%
(EE)
16.01.50:OC
6. 2019-20 360.00 354.44 98%
(EE)
16.01.50:OC
7. 2020-21 250.00 248.30 99%(EE)
16.01.50:ORE(
8. 2021-22 609.00 607.96 100%
EE)
16.01.50:ORE
9. 2022-23 1000.00 999.85 99%
(EE)
16.01.49:ORE
10 2023-24 1130.00 1128.00 99%
(EE)
16.01.49:ORE
11 2024-25 1262.00 1251.24 99.14%
(EE)
16.01.49:ORE
12. 2025-26 1500.00 745.60 49.71%
(EE)
ASI reaffirms its commitment to transparency, scientific rigor, and the highest professional standards in all its
activities. Any suggestion to the contrary is unfounded and is hereby categorically refuted.
****
Sunil Kumar Tiwari
pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com
(Release ID: 2154491)