The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), under the Ministry of Culture, has enabled online ticket booking for more than 170 centrally protected monuments and museums through the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). The initiative marks a significant step towards improving digital access and visitor convenience at India’s iconic heritage sites .
With this integration, domestic and international visitors can book entry tickets through multiple ONDC-enabled digital platforms, eliminating dependence on a single portal and strengthening transparency through an open, interoperable system. The move is expected to simplify planning for tourists while enhancing the overall visitor experience at ASI-managed monuments and museums across the country .
Importantly, existing benefits for online ticket buyers remain unchanged. Indian visitors continue to receive a ₹5 discount per ticket, while foreign nationals are eligible for a ₹50 concession. Online booking also allows visitors to bypass physical ticketing queues, ensuring faster and smoother entry, especially during peak tourist seasons .
The technical onboarding of ASI’s complete inventory onto the ONDC network has been facilitated by NDML (NSDL Database Management Limited). Currently, tickets are available through platforms such as Highway Delite, Pelocal’s WhatsApp-based booking service, and Abhee by Mondee, with several more consumer applications in the process of integration .
This development aligns with the Government of India’s broader push towards digital public infrastructure, combining heritage conservation with technology-driven public service delivery.