What happened
The Ministry of Culture outlined its scheme framework for conserving and promoting India’s tangible and intangible cultural heritage. The Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, stated the Ministry’s institutional roles and scheme coverage in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
Tangible heritage: ASI conservation, DESH site development, and museum modernization
For tangible heritage, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is responsible for protection and conservation of Centrally Protected Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains. The Ministry implements the Development of Excavation Sites and Heritage Complexes (DESH) Scheme as a Centrally Sponsored Sub-Scheme announced in the Union Budget 2026. The DESH Scheme is aimed at the promotion and sustainable development of 15 selected tangible cultural heritage sites.
The Ministry also administers the Museum Grant Scheme, which provides financial assistance for development, modernization and digitization of museums at the regional, State and district levels. The Ministry stated that State/UT-wise and year-wise details of funds allocated/sanctioned and utilized for the Museum Grant Scheme are given in Annexure-I for the last three financial years.
Intangible heritage: safeguarding living traditions and enabling cultural production
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