In celebration of International Museum Day on 18th May 2025, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has announced free entry to all its monuments and museums across the country. This initiative aims to promote public engagement with India’s rich cultural and historical heritage.
Observed annually, International Museum Day underscores the role of museums in preserving cultural legacies, educating communities, and fostering intercultural dialogue. To mark the occasion, ASI is opening its 52 site museums and all ticketed monuments—featuring artefacts from prehistoric to medieval times—without an entry fee.
The ASI’s Museum Wing, which manages the country’s network of site museums like the historic Sarnath Museum (established in 1910), focuses on preserving artefacts in proximity to excavation sites, maintaining historical context for researchers and visitors.
Recent advancements include India’s first Underground Museum at Humayun’s Tomb, a Virtual Experiential Museum at Man Mahal Observatory, Varanasi, and an upgraded facility at Lalitagiri, Odisha. AR and VR technologies are also being integrated to enhance visitor experience.
With 3,698 protected monuments and 52 museums, including 26 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, ASI’s gesture is a call to the public to rediscover and celebrate the nation’s diverse historical and architectural treasures.
