**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Culture reports on the conservation and restoration efforts for centrally protected monuments and sites under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). It includes financial allocations and expenditures for the past five years (2020-2024) and the current financial year (2024-25). The report also highlights various initiatives, training programs, and policies aimed at preserving India's cultural heritage, including the delisting of 18 monuments in pursuant to Gazette Notifications.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Financial Allocations:**
* ₹313.43 crore allocated for the conservation of monuments during the financial year 2024-25.
* Details of allocation and expenditure for the past five financial years (2020-21 to 2023-24) are provided.
* **Conservation Efforts:**
* ASI is responsible for 3685 centrally protected monuments/sites.
* Modern tools like LiDAR mapping, GIS, and drone-based surveys are used for repair and restoration.
* **Resource Mobilization:**
* Adopt a Heritage 2.0 and the National Conservation Fund facilitate Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).
* PPPs are encouraged to raise resources beyond the budget for building amenities and conservation work.
* **Training and Capacity Building:**
* ASI provides training to in-service personnel and organizes workshops for ASI personnel and other institutions.
* Training covers subjects like Lithic tools, Epigraphy, and Structural & Chemical Conservation.
* **Cultural Promotion:**
* ASI organizes programs to promote awareness about culture and heritage (World Heritage Day, World Heritage week, etc.).
* Ministry of Culture promotes Indian Art & Culture abroad through the Global Engagement Scheme, including Festivals of India.
* Grant-in-aid is released to Indo-Foreign Friendship Cultural Societies for cultural activities.
* **Policy Changes:**
* 18 monuments are declared ceased to be of national importance via Gazette Notifications S.O.2974(E) and S.O. 5178(E).
* Delisting does not involve a change of land ownership, thus no policy requirement.
* **State Government Responsibility:**
* Ancient and historical monuments not declared of national importance fall under the jurisdiction of State Governments.
**Impact Analysis**
**Ministry of Culture**
* **Impact:** Oversees the conservation, preservation, and maintenance of centrally protected monuments and sites.
* **Action Required:** Continue implementing initiatives, manage allocated funds, and facilitate partnerships.
**Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for the on-the-ground conservation and restoration efforts.
* **Action Required:** Utilize modern tools and resources efficiently, provide training, and ensure the protection of monuments.
**Public and Private Partners**
* **Impact:** Opportunity to contribute to heritage conservation through PPPs and CSR activities.
* **Action Required:** Participate in Adopt a Heritage 2.0 and the National Conservation Fund, provide expertise and resources.
**State Governments**
* **Impact:** Responsible for monuments not declared of national importance.
* **Action Required:** Ensure the preservation and protection of state-managed monuments and records.
**Citizens and Communities**
* **Impact:** Benefit from the preservation of cultural heritage and increased awareness.
* **Action Required:** Participate in cultural events, support conservation efforts, and promote cultural awareness.
Key Entities Referenced
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI): Agency responsible for the conservation, preservation, and maintenance of centrally protected monuments and sites in India.
Ministry of Culture: The central ministry responsible for the conservation and promotion of Indian culture and heritage, including the centrally protected monuments/sites managed by the ASI.
Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958: The act under which the Gazette notifications delisting monuments of national importance were issued.
National Policy for Conservation: The guiding policy document subject to which conservation works are carried out.
Adopt a Heritage 2.0: Scheme to facilitate public-private partnerships for building amenities and conservation work at heritage sites.
Ministry of Culture
CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION OF
CENTRALLY PROTECTED MONUMENTS/ SITES
313.43 cr allocated on Conservation of Monuments during
the financial year 2024-25
प्रव तथ: 18 DEC 2025 4:17PM by PIB Delhi
There are 3685 centrally protected monuments/ sites under the jurisdiction of Archaeological Survey of
India (ASI) in the country. Conservation, preservation and maintenance of these centrally protected
monuments and sites is a continuous process and works are taken up as per the requirement and
availability of resources subject to the National Policy for Conservation. Modern tools such as LiDAR
mapping, GIS and drone-based surveys are adopted for repair, restoration and structural stabilization
works of monument/site as per requirement.
The details of the allocation and expenditure on conservation during the last five years and current
financial year on centrally protected monuments and sites in the country is as under: -
(Amount in Crores)
Sr. Financial Year Allocation Expenditure
No.
1. 2020-21 260.90 260.83
2. 2021-22 270.00 269.57
3. 2022-23 392.71 391.93
4. 2023-24 443.53 443.53
5 2024-25 313.43 313.04
In addition Adopt a heritage 2.0 and National Conservation Fund provide for Public Private Partnerships
in order to raise resources beyond the budget for building amenities and conservation work.
ASI provides training to in-service personnel (archaeological and others) from time to time as part of the
capacity building measures of ASI. Further, in the past, ASI had organized several short-term training
programs/workshops for the ASI personnel and even for that of other universities/institutions/State
departments. Such workshops cover subjects like Lithic tools, Epigraphy, Structural & ChemicalConservation, Group-A officers training, Training on RTI Act, GFR, CCS (Conduct) Rules, Vigilance and
Disciplinary Proceedings. ASI organises many programmes to promote awareness about the culture and
heritage on the occasion of World Heritage Day, World Heritage week etc.
Intangible cultural practices are oral traditions that are preserved and sustained primarily through
community and tradition bearers. Ministry of Culture promotes and preserves this intangible cultural
heritage through documentation, training, research, financial assistance, and outreach within the available
resources. These measures are aimed at ensuring the continued practice, transmission of India’s living
cultural traditions for future generations. SOP for accessing funds by Zonal Cultural Centres from CSR
and private sponsorships have been issued to ensure additional resources.
Ministry of Culture promotes Indian Art & Culture abroad through Global Engagement Scheme under
which Festivals of India are organized in other countries showcasing folk art and other cultural events as
exhibitions, dance, music, theatre, food fest, film fest, yoga etc. Also, Grant-in-aid to Indo-Foreign
Friendship Cultural Societies is released for organizing programmes and cultural activities for promotion
of Indian Art & Culture in other countries.” Public Private Partnerships are encouraged to leverage
expertise and resources for participation in global events to promote and showcase India art and artistes.
The 18 monuments are declared ceased to be of national importance in pursuant to Gazette Notification
No. S.O.2974(E), dated 01.07.2025 and Gazette Notification No. S.O. 5178(E), dated 02.12.2024, issued
under Section 35 of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958. Delisting of
monuments do not attract/involve change of land ownership. Therefore, there is no requirement of any
policy. Further, in terms of Entry 12 of the State List in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India,
ancient and historical monuments and records—other than those declared by or under a law made by
Parliament to be of national importance—fall within the responsibility and jurisdiction of the respective
State Governments.
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
(रलीज़ आईडी: 2205933) आगंतुक पटल : 505
इस वज्ञ को इन भाषाओ ंम पढ़: Urdu , ही