Parliament Question: Retrieval of Indian artefacts

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1458 ANSWERED ON 12/02/2026 RETRIEVAL OF INDIAN ARTEFACTS 1458. SHRI MASTHAN RAO YADAV BEEDHA: Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:- (a) whether Government has undertaken any study or survey during the last five years regarding Indian artefacts taken out of the country; (b) if so, the details of missing artefacts identified during those years, State-wise particularly from Andhra Pradesh; (c) the details of funds allocated, released and utilised for retrieval of Indian artefacts during those years, State-wise including Andhra Pradesh; and (d) whether Government has considered establishing a dedicated body to oversee retrieval of Indian artefacts from foreign countries and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor? ANSWER MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT) (a)&(b) No specific study has been made so far. (c) Expenditure for retrieval of antiquities is made from regular allocation of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). (d) No dedicated body to oversee retrieval of Indian artefacts from foreign countries is under consideration. ASI is the nodal organisation for the retrieval of antiquities with the help of Indian Embassies/Missions abroad through Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). *****