Art & Culture

Delhi Cabinet Approves Monument Adoption Scheme, Opening 75 Heritage Sites to 'Monument Mitras'

By TestNeeti Editorial TeamPublished Tuesday, 30 June 2026 2 min readSource: PTIArticle 5 of 8

On 30 June 2026, the Delhi Cabinet approved two heritage-conservation schemes — under the banner 'Our Monuments, Our Pride' (Hamare Smarak, Hamara Gaurav) — to better preserve 75 monuments protected by the Delhi government's Department of Archaeology. Under the flagship Delhi Chief Minister Monument Adoption Scheme, public sector undertakings, private companies, registered NGOs, trusts, educational institutions and individuals can 'adopt' any of the 75 monuments as 'Monument Mitras' for a period of five years through a public-private partnership (PPP) model, helping with upkeep, restoration and development as public spaces; eligible adopters can receive financial assistance of up to Rs 2 crore. The monuments — including sites such as Ghalib's Haveli, Turkman Gate and the Dara Shikoh Library — are those protected under the Delhi Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 2004, and lie outside the jurisdiction of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

Key Facts & Details

9 points

1
The Delhi Cabinet approved two heritage-conservation schemes on 30 June 2026.
2
The initiative is titled 'Our Monuments, Our Pride' (Hamare Smarak, Hamara Gaurav).
3
It covers 75 monuments protected by the Delhi government's Department of Archaeology.
4
Under the Monument Adoption Scheme, adopters become 'Monument Mitras' for five years via a PPP model.
5
Adopters include PSUs, private companies, NGOs, trusts, institutions and individuals; assistance up to Rs 2 crore.
6
The monuments fall under the Delhi Ancient and Historical Monuments Act, 2004, outside ASI jurisdiction.

Deep Dive

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Notable monuments include Ghalib's Haveli, Turkman Gate, Dara Shikoh Library, Malcha Mahal and various tombs and Kos Minars.
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The model echoes the Centre's 'Adopt a Heritage' scheme, which uses 'Monument Mitras' for ASI-protected sites.
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The scheme aims to improve upkeep, encourage public participation in conservation and develop sites as tourist attractions.

Exam Focus

Which state/UT government launched a Monument Adoption Scheme in 2026 for 75 monuments under its archaeology department?

Exam Relevance & Angle

State schemes and heritage-conservation initiatives are exam-relevant state-level GA (banking Mains, SSC, State PCS). Examiners test the scheme (Monument Adoption / 'Monument Mitras'), the government (Delhi), the count (75 monuments) and the Act (2004) — clean, testable hooks, and the ASI contrast adds a polity/culture angle.

Target Exams

SBI POIBPS POIBPS RRB OfficerRBI Grade BSSC CGLSSC CHSLSSC CPORRB NTPCUPSC CSEState PCS

Background & Context

Monuments and archaeological sites in India are protected at two levels: nationally important ones by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) under the central AMASR Act, 1958, and state-level ones by respective state archaeology departments. In Delhi, state-protected monuments fall under the Delhi Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 2004. The idea of 'Monument Mitras' — outside entities adopting monuments for upkeep — mirrors the Union Tourism Ministry's 'Adopt a Heritage' scheme launched in 2017. A public-private partnership (PPP) brings in private/institutional resources for public assets while the government retains ownership and oversight.