ASI
The Government of India body responsible for protecting, conserving and maintaining India's approximately 3,693 centrally protected monuments.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is the central government body under the Ministry of Culture responsible for the protection, conservation and maintenance of centrally protected monuments and archaeological sites across India. Established in 1861 under Sir Alexander Cunningham, it is one of the oldest heritage institutions in Asia.
ASI operates through 24 regional circles across the country. Each circle is responsible for the protected monuments within its geographic area, including day-to-day maintenance, conservation works, archaeological excavation and visitor management. The Tamil Nadu circle, headquartered in Chennai, manages a significant inventory of Dravidian period monuments.
Any physical work at an ASI centrally protected monument — conservation, research, documentation or drone survey — requires formal written permission from the relevant circle Superintending Archaeologist or the Director General for major works.