It shall be the obligation of the State to protect every monument, place or object of artistic or historic interest declared to be of national importance. This is mentioned in:

Article 49 is one of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) in Part IV of the Constitution. It states that it shall be the obligation of the State to protect every monument or place or object of artistic or historic interest, declared by or under law made by Parliament to be of national importance, from spoliation, disfigurement, destruction, removal, disposal or export.

This Directive reflects the value placed on India's cultural heritage. It is classified among the liberal-intellectual principles of the DPSP.

To give effect to this principle, Parliament has passed laws such as:

The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 (AMASR Act), which provides for the protection of monuments and sites of national importance. It was amended in 2010 to set up the National Monuments Authority and to define a prohibited area of 100 metres and a regulated area of 200 metres around protected monuments, where construction is restricted.

The Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972, which regulates trade in antiquities and prohibits their export without permission.

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), founded in 1861 under Alexander Cunningham as its first Director-General and now under the Ministry of Culture, protects more than 3,600 monuments of national importance.

Related provisions in the Constitution:

• Article 51A(f) is a Fundamental Duty of every citizen to value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture.
• Article 29 protects the right of citizens to conserve their distinct language, script or culture.
• "Ancient and historical monuments and records declared by Parliament to be of national importance" is a subject in the Union List (Entry 67), while other ancient monuments are in the State List.
• India has 44 UNESCO World Heritage Sites (as of 2025), including the Taj Mahal, the Ajanta and Ellora Caves and, most recently, the Maratha Military Landscapes (2025).

Why not the other options?

• ✗Article 48A deals with the protection of the environment, forests and wildlife.
• ✗Article 51A(f) is the citizens' duty to preserve composite culture.
• ✗Article 29 protects the interests of minorities in language, script and culture.