Overview of India's Heritage Conservation

India's vast and diverse heritage reflects thousands of years of history, culture and tradition, forming the foundation of the country's unique civilisational identity. Over the past 12 years, the government has given renewed emphasis to the conservation, development and promotion of India's cultural legacy.

Heritage Conservation Framework

India's heritage conservation approach has evolved from mere protection of monuments and antiquities to an integrated model connecting heritage with tourism, livelihoods, and cultural diplomacy.

Key Schemes and Initiatives

Adopt a Heritage 2.0

  • Launched in September 2017, revamped in September 2023
  • Enables collaboration with private companies, PSUs, NGOs, trusts and societies
  • Develops visitor-friendly amenities at Protected Monuments of National Importance through CSR contributions

Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)

  • Launched in January 2015
  • Focuses on developing pilgrimage and heritage tourism destinations
  • Improves infrastructure, sanitation, safety and visitor facilities
  • IIM Rohtak's 2021 evaluation confirmed improved visitor satisfaction and aesthetic appeal
  • Key projects: Somnath Promenade, Kedarnath infrastructure upgrades

Swadesh Darshan 1.0 and 2.0

  • Swadesh Darshan launched in 2014-15 for integrated tourism infrastructure development
  • Revamped into Swadesh Darshan 2.0 with shift from circuit-based to destination-centric approach
  • Focus on creating sustainable, responsible and globally competitive tourism destinations

Challenge Based Destination Development

  • Introduced under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 in March 2024
  • Promotes tourism through competitive framework using holistic planning, innovation and community participation

Archaeology and Monument Preservation

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)

  • Premier organisation for archaeological research and conservation
  • Functions through around 38 regional Circles
  • As of April 2026: Manages and protects 3,686 centrally protected monuments

National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (NMMA)

  • Creates reliable national database and inventory of monuments, built heritage, sites and antiquities
  • As of March 2026: Documented 1.84 lakh monuments and 17.20 lakh antiquities

HRIDAY Scheme

  • Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana launched January 2015
  • Central Sector Scheme integrating urban development with heritage conservation
  • Implemented in cities: Ajmer, Amaravati, Badami, Amritsar, Gaya, Varanasi, Warangal, Puri, Kancheepuram, Mathura, Velankanni
  • Scheme ended on 31st March 2019

Heritage Through Diplomacy

Repatriation of Sacred Relics

  • Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha returned in 2025 after 127 years
  • Goddess Annapurna idol repatriated from Canada in 2021 after 108 years
  • Sacred idols of Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana returned from UK in 2020
  • Artefacts recovered from USA, UK, Australia, Germany, Singapore, Canada

Global Exposition of Sacred Relics

  • Vietnam (2025): Over 15 million devotees attracted
  • Kalmykia, Russia: Over 90,000 visitors
  • Bhutan (2025): Global Peace Prayer Festival
  • Sri Lanka (2026): Gangaramaya Temple
  • Domestic displays in Delhi and Ladakh (2026)

Repatriation Progress

  • 653 antiquities retrieved since 2014 (as of May 2026)
  • 613 recovered in last five years alone
  • Artefacts handed over to IGNCA, National Museum, Indian Institute of Heritage

Museum Development

  • Museum Grant Scheme: Financial assistance for new museums and modernisation of existing ones
  • Shift to Immersive Museums: Virtual museums, theme-based museums, Virtual Experiential Museums

Major Museum Projects

  • Archaeological Experiential Museum, Vadnagar (January 2025): India's first archaeological experiential museum
  • Developed at cost of ₹298 crore
  • Showcases over 5,000 artefacts
  • Includes organic remains: food grains, DNA samples, skeletal remains
  • Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum: Being developed in New Delhi's North and South Blocks under Central Vista Redevelopment Project

Technology in Heritage Preservation

Gyan Bharatam Mission (2025)

  • Preserves, digitises, and disseminates India's manuscript heritage
  • Over 8 lakh manuscripts digitised
  • 1.29 lakh available on National Digital Repository (NDR)
  • National Manuscript Survey (2026) launched for comprehensive database

Technology-Supported Conservation

  • LiDAR for precise heritage documentation
  • GIS mapping for conservation planning
  • Drone surveys for detailed site analysis
  • AI tools for processing large heritage datasets

Vedic Heritage Portal (2023)

  • Digital repository preserving Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, Atharvaveda traditions
  • Over 500 hours of audio-visual content
  • Manuscripts and recitation archives
  • UNESCO-listed: Vedic chanting (Intangible Cultural Heritage)
  • Rigveda manuscripts part of UNESCO's Memory of the World Register

National Film Heritage Mission (NFHM)

  • Preserves, digitises, and restores India's cinematic heritage
  • Preserved by National Film Archives of India (NFAI)
  • As of December 2025: 1,469 titles (4.3 lakh minutes) digitised
  • Includes feature films, short films, documentaries

National Museum of Indian Cinema (NMIC)

  • Located in Mumbai, inaugurated 2019
  • Presents over a century of Indian cinema
  • Features artefacts, vintage film equipment, photographs, memorabilia, interactive exhibits

India's Global Cultural Standing

  • 44 World Heritage Sites
  • 15 Intangible Cultural Heritage elements

Vision: Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi

Since 2014, India's heritage policy has transformed cultural heritage from a passive record of the past into an active pillar of national identity, pride, tourism and development. Through strengthened institutions, advanced technologies, and large-scale restoration efforts, India has enhanced protection of both tangible and intangible heritage.