EXCAVATION OF SITES BY ASI

The Ministry of Culture released data on Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) excavations. Over the last five years, ASI received 121 excavation permissions (24 in 2021‑22, 31 in 2022‑23, 19 in 2023, 22 in 2024 and 25 in 2025). Ongoing projects across 14 sites—including locations in Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Odisha, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and others—have incurred expenditures ranging from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 2.16 crore as of the release date. The Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, affirmed that no court orders have affected the continuation or closure of any archaeological projects during this period. Samples from excavations are sent to institutions for scientific validation when required.