PIB backgrounder: ASI protects 3,686 centrally protected monuments; India has 44 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
A PIB backgrounder of 18 April 2026 on monument conservation said the Archaeological Survey of India safeguards 3,686 centrally protected monuments and that India has 44 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Maratha Military Landscapes.
Summary
A PIB backgrounder on protection and conservation of monuments, released on 18 April 2026, said the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) safeguards 3,686 centrally protected monuments. India now has 44 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the latest being the Maratha Military Landscapes. Tangible heritage in India is protected under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, which empowers the government, through the ASI, to declare monuments protected and regulate construction around them. Intangible heritage such as Yoga, Vedic chanting and Buddhist chanting of Ladakh is safeguarded through the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, 2003, supported by national schemes and constitutional provisions such as Article 29.
Key facts
- Centrally protected monuments
- 3,686 (ASI)
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- 44; latest Maratha Military Landscapes
- Key law
- Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958
- Intangible heritage
- UNESCO 2003 Convention; Article 29
- ICH examples
- Yoga, Vedic chanting, Buddhist chanting of Ladakh
Practice MCQs 2 questions
According to the PIB backgrounder of April 2026, how many centrally protected monuments does the Archaeological Survey of India safeguard?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 3,686
The backgrounder says the ASI safeguards 3,686 centrally protected monuments.
Consider the following statements, based on the PIB backgrounder on monuments (April 2026): 1. India has 44 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the latest being the Maratha Military Landscapes. 2. The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 empowers the government, through the ASI, to regulate construction around protected monuments. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct as per the backgrounder.