The National Monuments Authority (NMA) is a statutory body constituted under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act, 1958 (as amended in 2010). Functioning under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, the Authority is responsible for protecting and preserving monuments and archaeological sites of national importance. NMA regulates construction and development activities in prohibited and regulated areas surrounding centrally protected monuments, grants permissions, and promotes the conservation of India's rich cultural heritage.