India's Monuments Conservation: Private Sector To Join Forces With ASI - Heritage Policy Shift, 2025
- Inarch Center
- Oct 3
- 3 min read
New Delhi — In a landmark decision marking a major change in India’s heritage policy, the Government is planning to open up the core conservation work of protected monuments to private entities, ending the long-standing exclusive mandate held by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
Policy Details and Rationale
The new strategy aims to establish a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model in heritage conservation. This significant shift is expected to enhance capacity building and, crucially, fast-track conservation projects that stakeholders felt had been slowed down by the ASI acting as the sole implementing agency.
Currently, the ASI, which functions under the Ministry of Culture, is solely responsible for the main conservation work of (ASI protected) monuments across the country. Under the new plan, corporates, public sector undertakings (PSUs), and even private organizations will be allowed to directly appoint external agencies to carry out necessary conservation work at heritage sites, including forts and baolis (stepwells).
Checks, Balances, and Financial Mechanism
While private entities gain a significant role, the process includes essential checks and balances to maintain quality and adherence to historical guidelines.
1. Supervision: The overall conservation project will remain under the strict supervision of the ASI.
2. DPR Compliance: The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for any project must comply with the National Policy for Conservation, 2014, and must be prepared and approved by the ASI.
3. Funding Route: All project funds must be channeled through the National Culture Fund (NCF).
The NCF, established in 1996, aims to encourage the corporate sector to participate in cultural heritage preservation, often via Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Donations made to the NCF are eligible for a 100% tax exemption. The new system encourages donors to spend the money themselves through the NCF mechanism, rather than just contributing to the government, thereby maximizing their tax benefits and ensuring greater private sector participation. In exchange for their contributions, corporations and donors will receive due credit at the monument campus.
Historically, the NCF has received approximately Rs 140 crore from corporate and PSU donations, financing around 100 conservation projects, with 70 projects already completed.
Implementation Process
As a preliminary step, the Ministry of Culture is set to float a Request for Proposal (RFP) to empanel over a dozen esteemed conservation architects across the country. Once empanelled, a donor can select one of these architects to guide them through the conservation process and guidelines.
Following the selection of the architect, the donor and architect together can hire an external implementation agency for the specified conservation work. These implementing agencies must demonstrate experience in heritage conservation involving structures more than 100 years old, either under a state government or a private organization, like a heritage haveli.
The ASI is moving away from being the sole conservation implementing agency, making way for relevant private players who will be directly appointed by the donors.
Scope of Work and Distinction from Previous Schemes
Officials have indicated that an initial list of 250 monuments requiring conservation work will be provided for donors to choose from. Donors looking for specific monuments based on location or other criteria can also propose alternatives for discussion.
This new initiative represents a major expansion of private sector involvement compared to previous efforts. Previously, the government’s "Adopt a Heritage" scheme invited corporates and PSUs, known as “monument mitras,” only to help create visitor amenities such as ticket windows, toilet blocks, and cafes. This new policy, however, allows private donors to directly register for and execute the core conservation and restoration work itself.
Opportunities for Professionals
Professional opportunities will also emerge from this shift, starting with the empanelment of over a dozen conservation architects. Private donors will then select from this group to guide their conservation efforts. By allowing donors to directly hire experienced external agencies (with expertise in structures over 100 years old), the plan dramatically increases employment pathways for heritage students and professionals in specialized conservation roles beyond traditional government jobs.
Sources:
A, D. (2025, October 2). Exclusive| Big heritage policy shift — Monument conservation no longer ASI’s monopoly, private players to get a role. The Indian Express. https://indianexpress.com/article/india/in-a-first-monument-conservation-will-open-to-private-players-10283034/
End of ASI’s monopoly: Govt plans to consider private players for conservation of protected monuments. (2025, October 2). TimelineDaily. https://timelinedaily.com/india/end-of-asis-monopoly-govt-plans-to-consider-private-players-for-conservation-of-protected-monuments?fbclid=IwY2xjawNMJfZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFLUUx2N1hzOEtaZk8yZE5OAR6B6y4oB_J5b6kzMi3Qrlg1D_TMyTgajs9Mb7Q_vNE0QnOCeulnPJ9IePXKbA_aem_Cqqcg_ZaHju8nUtposjC6Q
Bharathi, V. (n.d.). Monument conservation no longer ASI’s monopoly, private players to get a role: Report. https://english.varthabharati.in/india/monument-conservation-no-longer-asis-monopoly-private-players-to-get-a-role-report
SEO Keywords: Monument Conservation, ASI Monopoly End, Heritage Policy India, Public-Private Partnership (PPP), National Culture Fund (NCF), Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
Comments