Lok Sabha Question No. 2426 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-15
Subject: Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Reform and Modernisation
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Dr. Jayanta Kumar Roy

## 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,  singlewindow 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.

*****