**Executive Summary**
This document is an answer provided by the Minister of Culture and Tourism to the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2426, answered on December 15, 2025, regarding the reform and modernisation of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). It details measures taken to address staffing, technical gaps, report completion, transparent clearance systems, and the use of modern technology. It also addresses the matter of balancing conservation with preventing encroachment.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Staffing and Technical Gaps:**
* Staffing in ASI's Excavation Branches is addressed through regular filling of sanctioned posts, recruitment through UPSC and SSC, and promotion of eligible officers.
* The number of staff in Excavation Branches increased from 86 to 102 in the past year.
* Rational deployment of available manpower is undertaken based on operational requirements.
* Capacity-building of field staff is carried out through internal training programs.
* **Report Completion:**
* ASI has given 24 permissions for excavation/exploration until December 2025 in the current financial year.
* Preparation of a technical report is an integral part of every excavation, to be submitted after completion.
* **Transparent Clearance System:**
* Academic and Archaeological collaborations are of different nature, the durations of which are examined by concerned branches for implementation.
* **Use of Modern Technology:**
* LiDAR, GIS, and drones are being used for study, documentation, and mapping of ancient monuments and archaeological sites.
* These technologies are utilized as per the requirement and availability of resources.
* **Conservation and Enforcement Against Encroachment:**
* Encroachments are removed as per the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 and Rules framed there under.
* Superintending Archaeologists are vested with powers of an Estate Officer to issue eviction notices and show cause notices.
* Assistance is sought from State Governments and police.
* Private security personnel and CISF are deployed for safety and security of selected monuments and sites.
**Impact Analysis**
**ASI Excavation Branches**
* **Impact:** Affected by staffing adjustments, training programs, and the adoption of modern technologies for their work. Also impacted by rules around finishing and submitting reports.
* **Action Required:** Implement staffing changes, participate in training, utilize available technologies, and ensure timely submission of excavation reports.
**Academic and Foreign Archaeological Collaborations**
* **Impact:** Subject to examination of their work.
* **Action Required:** Work in coordination with the ASI.
**State Governments and Police Authorities**
* **Impact:** Required to provide assistance in containing and removing encroachments on protected sites.
* **Action Required:** Provide necessary support to the ASI for enforcement activities.
Key Entities Referenced
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI): Central government agency responsible for archaeological research and the conservation and preservation of cultural monuments in India. Focus of reform and modernization efforts.
Ministry of Culture: The government ministry responsible for the administration of art and culture in India, including the Archaeological Survey of India.
Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958: A key legislation governing the protection and preservation of ancient monuments and archaeological sites in India, especially concerning encroachment.
Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971: Act enabling Estate Officers to issue eviction notices for unauthorized occupants in public premises.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CULTURE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2426
ANSWERED ON - 15/12/2025
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA (ASI) REFORM AND MODERNISATION
2426. Dr. Jayanta Kumar Roy:
Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the measure taken / being taken by the Government to address staffing and
technical gaps in six Excavation Branches of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI);
(b) the details of the steps being taken to ensure timely completion of reports at 22 sites
under Rs. 15 crore allocated in 2025-26 budget;
(c) the details of the steps taken by the Government to implement a transparent, single-
window clearance system for academic and foreign archaeological collaborations;
(d) the manner in which the Government is using Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR),
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and drones to digitally map heritage sites, along
with the timeline by which the national digital map be completed; and
(e) the manner in which the Government is balancing the conservation of ancient religious
monuments with enforcement against encroachment ?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM
(SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) The staffing in ASI’s Excavation Branches are addressed through regular filling up of
sanctioned posts as per the Recruitment Rules, including recruitment through Union Public
Service Commission (UPSC) and Staff Selection Commission (SSC) and promotion of eligible
officers from feeder grades. During the last one year, the number of staff posted in the
Excavation Branches has increased from 86 to 102. Further, rational deployment of available
manpower is undertaken based on operational requirements of ongoing excavation projects.
Capacity-building of field staff is carried out through internal training programmes from time to
time.(b) Archaeological Survey of India has given 24 permissions for excavation/exploration till
December, 2025 in the current financial year. Preparation of the technical report is an integral
part of every excavation which is to be submitted after its completion.
(c) Academic and Archaeological collaborations are of different nature the durations of which
are duly examined by concerned branches for implementation.
(d) Modern technology such as LiDAR, GIS, drones etc. are being used for study and
documentation of ancient monuments and archaeological sites, including mapping. These
technologies are being utilized as per the requirement and availability of resources.
(e)The encroachments in the protected monuments and protected areas are removed as per the
provisions contained in the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act,
1958 and Rules framed there under. In order to contain the encroachments and remove them, the
Superintending Archaeologist in-charge of the Circles have been vested with the powers of an
Estate Officer to issue eviction notices / orders under Public Premised (Eviction of Unauthorised
Occupants) Act, 1971. They are also authorised to issue show cause notices under the provisions
of Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 and Rules 1959.
Assistance in containing and removing encroachments is also sought from the respective State
Government / police authorities from time to time. Further, in addition to the regular watch and
ward staff, private security personnel and CISF have also been deployed for the safety and
security of selected monuments / sites across the country.
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