The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has enabled online ticket booking for more than 170 centrally protected monuments and museums through the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), significantly expanding digital access to some of India’s most visited heritage sites.In a statement, the Ministry of Culture said that integrating ASI’s ticketing system with an open digital network allows citizens and tourists to book entry tickets through multiple ONDC-enabled applications, rather than a single platform. The move is aimed at improving accessibility and convenience while strengthening the transparent and efficient delivery of public services through interoperable digital systems.
The Ministry of Culture shared on Instagram, “Good news for tourists, history lovers & public!The Archaeological Survey of India (@asi.goi), under the aegis of @ministryofculturegoi, has enabled online ticket booking for over 170 centrally protected monuments and museums on the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). Skip the queue, book your tickets online & discover the country’s most iconic heritage in just a click!”To book, send ‘Hi’ to +91 8422889057
Discounts and queue-free entry continue
Visitors booking ASI monument tickets through ONDC-enabled applications will continue to receive existing benefits, including a INR 5 discount for Indian visitors and a INR 50 discount for foreign nationals.Online booking also enables visitors to bypass physical ticketing queues at monuments and museums, helping ensure faster and smoother entry, particularly at high-footfall heritage sites.
Multiple apps, one network
By placing ASI’s ticketing inventory on an open network, visitors can now choose from different consumer-facing applications to purchase tickets, rather than being limited to a single booking interface. This flexibility is expected to benefit both domestic and international tourists planning visits in advance or on the move.Read more: UK Visas go digital: eVisas to fully replace visa stickers in 2026 — What travellers need to know
Where tickets are available now
Tickets for ASI monuments are currently available on platforms such as Highway Delite, Pelocal’s WhatsApp-based ticketing service, and Abhee by Mondee. Officials said more consumer-facing applications are in various stages of integration, which is expected to further widen access in the coming months.
Expanding digital access to heritage
The rollout marks another step in digitising access to India’s cultural and archaeological heritage. By combining ASI’s monument ticketing with ONDC’s interoperable framework, the initiative allows visitors from India and abroad to book tickets seamlessly across platforms, while retaining familiar pricing benefits and reducing on-site congestion at monuments and museums.
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