What happened?
In a written reply in Rajya Sabha, the Ministry of Culture shared the latest official position on ASI-protected monuments and heritage sites in South India. The reply was carried by PIB on 23 July 2026.
Key facts
- The release says there are 1,100 monuments and sites of national importance in South India under the care and maintenance of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
- State-wise figures given in the reply are: Andhra Pradesh 136, Karnataka 506, Kerala 30, Puducherry 7, Tamil Nadu 412 and Telangana 9.
- The note says periodic inspections are carried out and conservation work is taken up under the National Conservation Policy, 2014.
- It adds that no protected monument or site is in a deteriorating condition.
- The reported conservation allocation and expenditure for southern states reached Rs. 79.89 crore each in 2025-26.
- The reply also mentions visitor amenities such as Braille signage, QR code-based information systems and sound and light shows at selected sites.
Why it matters
This is a useful culture-and-governance topic because exam questions often ask about heritage institutions, conservation policy and the role of ASI. It is also a good factual source for prelims-style revision.
Exam takeaway
Remember that ASI manages monuments of national importance, the official count for South India is 1,100, and the highest state figure in the reply is Karnataka with 506. In mains answers, link preservation with access, tourism and conservation standards.
Source metadata
Authority: Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Culture
Publication date: 23 July 2026
Official source: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2288286&lang=1®=3
Useful excerpt
Official source highlight: the reply says South India has 1,100 monuments and sites of national importance under ASI care, with Karnataka having 506 and Tamil Nadu 412.