Taj Mahal top earning ASI monument through ticket sales from FY19-20 to FY23-24: Govt
New Delhi, Apr 3 (PTI): The iconic Taj Mahal in Agra earned the "highest income" through the sale of tickets among the ASI-protected monuments from FY19-20 to FY23-24, according to data shared by the government.
Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat shared the data in a written response to a query in Rajya Sabha.
He was asked the amount that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has received from selling entry tickets to various monuments in the last five years, year-wise and monument-wise; and the monuments that have received the highest income through selling entry tickets in the last five years.
In his response, the minister shared the data in a tabular form for cycles of financial years ranging from FY19-20 to FY23-24.
According to the data, Taj Mahal earned the top slot for all five years.
The Mughal-era architectural wonder was commissioned by Emperor Shah Jehan in the 17th century and it is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the world.
In FY19-20, the Agra Fort in Agra and Qutub Minar in Delhi were in the second and third positions.
In FY20-21, the Group of Monuments Mamallapuram in Tamil Nadu and Sun Temple, Konark were in the second and third positions. In FY23-24, Qutub Minar and Red Fort of Delhi were in the second and third positions.
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No more photocopies: Centre launches new Aadhaar app with Face ID feature
New Delhi: The Centre on Tuesday launched a new Aadhaar mobile application aimed at enhancing digital convenience and privacy. The app was unveiled by Union Minister for Electronics and IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw, in the national capital.
The app allows users to verify and share Aadhaar details digitally, eliminating the need to carry physical copies or submit photocopies for identification. “New Aadhaar App, Face ID authentication via mobile app. No physical card, no photocopies,” said Vaishnaw in a video message on X.
Key features of the app include Face ID-based authentication and QR code scanning for Aadhaar verification, making the process as easy as a UPI payment. The minister highlighted that users can share only the required data with their consent, ensuring full control over their personal information.
Vaishnaw also stated that the app, currently in its beta testing phase, has been developed with strong privacy safeguards. It prevents misuse, forgery, or editing of Aadhaar details.
The digital tool aims to remove the need for Aadhaar photocopies at places like hotels, shops, and airports. Emphasising Aadhaar’s role in government initiatives, the minister also invited stakeholders to explore ways of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) with India’s digital public infrastructure (DPI), keeping privacy as the central focus.
