New Delhi. In a major step towards enhancing digital access to India’s cultural heritage, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, has enabled online ticket booking for over 170 centrally protected monuments and museums on the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC).
This initiative significantly expands digital reach, allowing visitors from across India and abroad to seamlessly book entry tickets to iconic heritage sites and museums through multiple digital platforms. By integrating ASI’s ticketing system with an open digital network, tourists can now choose from different applications to purchase tickets, ensuring greater convenience, transparency and efficiency in public service delivery.
Key Benefits for Visitors
- Easy multi-platform access to book tickets via ONDC-enabled apps
- Faster entry by avoiding physical ticketing queues
- Continued discounts:
- ₹5 off for Indian visitors
- ₹50 off for foreign nationals
Technology & Implementation
The integration has been technically enabled by NDML (NSDL Database Management Limited), which has successfully onboarded ASI’s entire inventory of monuments and museums onto the ONDC network. This move strengthens India’s digital public infrastructure by promoting interoperable and citizen-friendly services.
Where to Book Tickets
Tickets are currently available through:
- Highway Delite (Web, Android & iOS)
- Pelocal – WhatsApp-based booking (Send “Hi” to +91 84228 89057)
- Abhee by Mondee (Android & iOS)
Several more consumer-facing applications are in the process of joining the ONDC network, which will further widen access in the coming months.
Boost to Tourism & Digital Governance
Officials said this initiative will not only make visiting heritage sites easier but will also strengthen digital governance in the tourism sector, ensuring that India’s rich cultural legacy is more accessible to citizens and global tourists alike.
