ASI announces free entry to monuments and museums on International Museum Day
The Archaeological Survey of India announced on 17 May 2025 free entry to all its ticketed monuments and 52 site museums on 18 May, International Museum Day; Sarnath (1910) is the earliest ASI site museum.
Summary
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) announced on 17 May 2025 that entry to all its ticketed monuments and its 52 site museums would be free on 18 May 2025, International Museum Day. ASI's Museum Wing manages the 52 site museums, of which Sarnath (1910) is the earliest; site museums display excavated artefacts near the site so they keep their context. ASI noted the recent inauguration of India's first underground museum at Humayun's Tomb. ASI looks after 3,698 protected monuments and sites, and 26 of its sites are on UNESCO's World Heritage List.
Key facts
- Free entry
- 18 May 2025 — all ticketed ASI monuments and 52 site museums
- Earliest site museum
- Sarnath (1910)
- First underground museum
- Humayun's Tomb (World Heritage Site)
- ASI network
- 3,698 protected monuments/sites; 52 museums; 26 World Heritage sites
Practice MCQs 4 questions
Which is the earliest Archaeological Site Museum in the ASI's network?
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Correct answer: A — Sarnath
Sarnath (1910) is the earliest in the series of ASI Archaeological Site Museums.
India's first underground museum, mentioned by ASI in May 2025, is located at which World Heritage Site?
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Correct answer: D — Humayun's Tomb
ASI noted the recent inauguration of India's first underground museum at the World Heritage Site of Humayun's Tomb.
Consider the following statements about the Archaeological Survey of India (as of May 2025): 1. ASI manages 52 site museums. 2. 26 ASI sites are on UNESCO's World Heritage List. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. ASI has 3,698 protected monuments and sites, 52 museums, and 26 sites on the World Heritage List.
How many protected monuments and sites does the Archaeological Survey of India look after, as stated in May 2025?
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Correct answer: A — 3,698
ASI has a pan-India reach with 3,698 protected monuments and sites.