There are total of 3686 centrally protected monuments under the care and maintenance of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) across the country. ASI takes up conservation work of these protected monuments/sites including provision of amenities as per the need and availability of resources. All protected monuments are regularly inspected by the ASI official/officers to assess the condition and conservations works.

To strengthen conservation capacity, Training programmes are arranged for Field Officers from time to time for capacity building. Also, modern technologies/tools such as LiDAR scanning, GIS based mapping and drone-based surveys etc., are used as per the requirement for proper documentation.

Government has taken necessary steps to repatriate the antiquities illegally exported abroad. A total of 655 antiquities has been retrieved till 2025.

A total of 613 cultural artefacts has been retrieved in last five years. 11 objects with clear provenance have been handed over to the concerned organizations/institutions. 09 objects have been given on loan to IGNCA for display at New Parliament Building, 01 to National Museum and 14 to Indian Institute of Heritage.

Remaining objects are kept with ASI in safe custody.

This information was given by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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M Annadurai

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