The first antiquity on the Ministry of Culture's list of retrievals, in 1976, was a sawn stucco head from Nalanda, Bihar, returned from the UK and France. Chola-period Nataraja bronzes followed from the USA in 1986 and from the UK in 1991, and the last retrieval before 2014 was the Yogini Vrishanana from Paris in 2013, making 13 up to 2013. In 2014 a Nataraja and an Ardhanareeswar from Tamil Nadu were retrieved from Australia. The Ministry's list released on 3 August 2021 counted 54 antiquities retrieved from 1976 to 2021.
Return of Antiquities
Return of Antiquities
The Archaeological Survey of India works through Indian missions abroad to retrieve antiquities illegally taken out of the country. Up to 2013, 13 antiquities had been retrieved, the first in 1976. The count since 2014 reached 344 by November 2023, 642 by the end of 2024 and 653 as on May 2026, according to the Ministry of Culture. The United States has returned more cultural artefacts to India than any other country, 578 since 2016 as of June 2025, and the two countries signed a Cultural Property Agreement on 26 July 2024. The counter shows antiquities retrieved from abroad since 2014, cumulative.
297
Antiquities handed over by the USA (September 2024)
578
Cultural artefacts returned by the USA since 2016 (June 2025)
613
Cultural artefacts brought back in the last five years (June 2026)
Antiquities retrieved from abroad since 2014 (cumulative)
| Year | Antiquities retrieved from abroad since 2014 |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 344 antiquities |
| 2024 | 642 antiquities |
| 2026 | 653 antiquities |
| Dashed bars are years the source does not publish; the shape between published years is drawn, not measured. | |
2023
0antiquities
Antiquities retrieved from abroad since 2014
20232026
Since 2023
Added
+309 antiquities
2023
344 antiquities
2026
653 antiquities
Dashed bars are years the source does not publish; the shape between published years is drawn, not measured.
Why it matters The objects on the Ministry of Culture's retrieval lists include sculptures, bronzes and figurines from sites in states such as Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar. Once returned they come back into Indian custody, such as the Tamil Nadu Idol Wing or the National Museum in New Delhi, where they can be kept, studied and displayed. The agreement with the USA is intended to prevent and curb the illicit trafficking of antiquities from India to the USA.
- 13 antiquities retrieved up to 2013; 345 repatriated from 2014 to 31 December 2024, with 297 more in the process of shifting from the USA
- 653 antiquities retrieved since 2014, as on May 2026; 613 cultural artefacts brought back in the last five years (18 June 2026)
- From the USA: 10 antiquities during the Prime Minister's visit in June 2016, 157 in September 2021 and 105 during his visit in June 2023; 578 in all since 2016 (June 2025)
- 297 antiquities handed over by US President Joe Biden during the Prime Minister's visit to the USA, 21–24 September 2024
- India–US Cultural Property Agreement signed on 26 July 2024 to prevent and curb illicit trafficking of antiquities
- Goddess Annapurna idol returned from Canada in 2021 after 108 years; Rama, Sita and Lakshmana bronze idols from the UK in 2020
History
Notable milestone
During the Prime Minister's visit to the USA in September 2021, the United States handed over 157 artefacts and antiquities. Most date from the 11th to 14th century CE and some 45 belong to the Before Common Era; 71 are cultural objects and the rest are figurines relating to Hinduism (60), Buddhism (16) and Jainism (9). During the visit of 21–24 September 2024, President Joe Biden handed over 297 more antiquities. As of June 2025 the USA had returned 578 cultural artefacts since 2016, the most by any country.
How it works
Retrieval is led by the Archaeological Survey of India, which works through Indian missions abroad to recover illegally exported antiquities as and when they surface in foreign countries. When a theft is reported, an FIR is lodged and a Look Out Notice is issued to law enforcement agencies, including customs exit channels. The India–US Cultural Property Agreement, signed on 26 July 2024 by Ministry of Culture Secretary Govind Mohan and US Ambassador Eric Garcetti, aims to prevent and curb illicit trafficking of antiquities from India to the USA, and the Ministry says it will make retrieval easier. Retrieved objects were shown in the exhibition 'Re(ad)dress: Return of Treasures' during the 46th World Heritage Committee session in New Delhi.
Outlook
As on May 2026, 653 antiquities had been retrieved since 2014, and the Ministry of Culture says 613 cultural artefacts were brought back in the last five years alone. Its list of major repatriations also includes the Piprahwa relics of the Buddha, returned in 2025 after 127 years. Of the 642 antiquities counted as retrieved by the end of 2024, 297 were still in the process of shifting from the USA on 31 December 2024. Objects have also been returned from Australia, the UK, Germany, Singapore and Canada.
By the numbers
13 antiquities retrieved up to 2013. 344 retrieved since 2014 (November 2023). 642 (end of 2024). 653 (May 2026). 157 handed over by the USA (September 2021). 297 handed over by the USA (September 2024). 578 returned by the USA since 2016 (June 2025). Sources: Ministry of Culture and Archaeological Survey of India (year-end reviews, Lok Sabha replies, PIB features), Prime Minister's Office, via PIB.
Data current to: As on May 2026, stated 18 June 2026
Source: Ministry of Culture via PIB — cumulative antiquities retrieved from abroad since 2014: 344 (till November 2023), 642 (to the end of 2024, including 297 handed over by the USA in September 2024) and 653 (as on May 2026). Years without a published total are not plotted. Headline: PIB feature of 18 June 2026 (linked); 13 retrieved up to 2013 per the Ministry's year-end review of 31 December 2024. · link