An inauguration by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on December 20, 2011, will mark the beginning of a year full of events and programs celebrating 150 years of the Archaeological Survey of India. International conferences, lectures by archaeologists, a philatelic exhibition, an exhibition of old books/documents/newspaper items, plus regional workshops, cultural programmes and special outreach programs are planned as celebrations continue through December 2012.

During the inaugural ceremony, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of the new headquarters for Archaeological Survey of India at Tilak Marg, New Delhi. This event was originally planned for December 1.

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will present an exhibition, Rediscovering India 1961-2011, showcasing its achievements through excavations, popular monuments and successful conservation projects carried out from 1961 till 2011. A similar exhibition was held in Delhi in 1961 as the department completed 100 years of work. More than 3600 Indian heritage monuments and archaeological sites are under the management of ASI.