New Delhi: The Archaeological Survey of India is grappling with a severe staffing crisis, revealed data shared by Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in Parliament. Out of 8,755 sanctioned positions, 3,073 are vacant.
Shekhawat provided details of vacancies for archaeologists, conservation assistants, engineers and other technical staff in the ASI in a written response in the Lok Sabha.
In the ASI’s archaeology department, 191 posts are vacant out of a sanctioned strength of 420. In the conservation department, including conservation assistants and engineers, 447 posts are vacant out of a sanctioned strength of 831.
In the surveyor, draftsman, science, epigraphy, horticulture, and architect departments, 191 posts are vacant out of a sanctioned strength of 440. In the library, MTS, administrative, stenographer, and photographer sections, 2,244 posts are vacant out of a sanctioned strength of 7,064.
Data suggests that nearly half the posts are vacant in each department.
However, out of the 5,682 people working in the ASI, 2,034 are from the Unreserved Category, 1,983 from OBC, 205 from EWS, 1,048 from SC and 412 from ST.
For instance, in the Raipur circle of the ASI, 28 posts are vacant out of a sanctioned strength of 68 archaeologists, conservation staff, and other technical staff.
“The adequacy of manpower in the Archaeological Survey of India is reviewed on a continuous basis through the sanctioned strength of various Circles, which is determined keeping in view the functional requirements, number of Centrally Protected Monuments (CPMs)/sites under their jurisdiction and other administrative considerations. Deployment of available manpower is also reviewed from time to time to ensure conservation, maintenance and management of centrally protected monuments and sites,” said Shekhawat.
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India has highlighted the staff crunch issue twice in the last 13 years, and a parliamentary committee was also established to look into the matter once in 2022 and again in February 2026.
Even the recent Parliamentary Standing Committee report on Transport, Tourism and Culture raised concerns about ASI-protected sites lacking protectors. The committee recommended that the Ministry “prepare an inventory of non-ASI heritage structures at risk, in coordination with state governments.”
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Funds for conservation
Shekhawat also shared fund allotment data for the conservation of monuments for the last five years.
In 2025-26, the Modi government allocated 376.88 crore rupees for the conservation, preservation and environmental development of protected monuments across the country.
In 2024-25, Rs 313.43 crore was allocated for the conservation of monuments. Between 2021-26, the Modi government allocated Rs 1796.55 crore for the conservation of protected monuments. In India, there are only 3,688 ASI-protected monuments and sites.
“ASI undertakes conservation of these Monuments and sites as per the National Policy for Conservation, 2014 and the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act, 1958, along with the rules framed thereunder. Conservation and day-to-day maintenance, up-keeping of all these monuments and sites are carried out regularly as per the need and availability of resources. All these monuments and sites are in a good state of preservation,” said Shekhawat.
(Edited by Insha Jalil Waziri)