UNESCO sites are asked in almost every exam, and the latest addition is the favourite question. In July 2026, Sarnath became India’s 45th World Heritage Site. Learn the list in three groups (cultural, natural, mixed) and the last five additions by heart.
India at a glance
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total sites | 45 (37 cultural, 7 natural, 1 mixed) |
| Latest | Sarnath (48th session, Busan, July 2026) |
| Global rank | 6th in the world by number of sites (as reported) |
| First sites (1983) | Agra Fort, Ajanta, Ellora, Taj Mahal |
| Only mixed site | Khangchendzonga National Park (Sikkim, 2016) |
| UNESCO convention | World Heritage Convention, 1972; India joined in 1977 |
Natural sites (7)
| Site | State | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Kaziranga National Park | Assam | 1985 |
| Keoladeo National Park | Rajasthan | 1985 |
| Manas Wildlife Sanctuary | Assam | 1985 |
| Sundarbans National Park | West Bengal | 1987 |
| Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers | Uttarakhand | 1988 (extended 2005) |
| Western Ghats | Six states (Kerala, TN, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat) | 2012 |
| Great Himalayan National Park | Himachal Pradesh | 2014 |
Cultural sites (37)
| Site | State | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Agra Fort | Uttar Pradesh | 1983 |
| Ajanta Caves | Maharashtra | 1983 |
| Ellora Caves | Maharashtra | 1983 |
| Taj Mahal | Uttar Pradesh | 1983 |
| Sun Temple, Konark | Odisha | 1984 |
| Group of Monuments, Mahabalipuram | Tamil Nadu | 1984 |
| Churches and Convents of Goa | Goa | 1986 |
| Fatehpur Sikri | Uttar Pradesh | 1986 |
| Group of Monuments, Hampi | Karnataka | 1986 |
| Khajuraho Group of Monuments | Madhya Pradesh | 1986 |
| Elephanta Caves | Maharashtra | 1987 |
| Great Living Chola Temples | Tamil Nadu | 1987 (extended 2004) |
| Group of Monuments, Pattadakal | Karnataka | 1987 |
| Buddhist Monuments, Sanchi | Madhya Pradesh | 1989 |
| Humayun’s Tomb | Delhi | 1993 |
| Qutb Minar and its Monuments | Delhi | 1993 |
| Mountain Railways of India (Darjeeling, Nilgiri, Kalka–Shimla) | WB, TN, HP | 1999 (extended 2005, 2008) |
| Mahabodhi Temple, Bodh Gaya | Bihar | 2002 |
| Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka | Madhya Pradesh | 2003 |
| Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park | Gujarat | 2004 |
| Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus | Maharashtra | 2004 |
| Red Fort Complex | Delhi | 2007 |
| Jantar Mantar, Jaipur | Rajasthan | 2010 |
| Hill Forts of Rajasthan | Rajasthan | 2013 |
| Rani-ki-Vav, Patan | Gujarat | 2014 |
| Nalanda Mahavihara | Bihar | 2016 |
| Architectural work of Le Corbusier (Capitol Complex, Chandigarh) | Chandigarh | 2016 |
| Historic City of Ahmedabad | Gujarat | 2017 |
| Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai | Maharashtra | 2018 |
| Jaipur City | Rajasthan | 2019 |
| Dholavira: a Harappan City | Gujarat | 2021 |
| Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple | Telangana | 2021 |
| Santiniketan | West Bengal | 2023 |
| Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas | Karnataka | 2023 |
| Moidams: Mound-Burial System of the Ahom Dynasty | Assam | 2024 |
| Maratha Military Landscapes of India (12 forts) | Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu | 2025 |
| Ancient Buddhist Site of Sarnath | Uttar Pradesh | 2026 |
Mixed site (1)
| Site | State | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Khangchendzonga National Park | Sikkim | 2016 |
Memory tricks
- 1983 “AETA”: Agra Fort, Ellora, Taj, Ajanta.
- Last six in order: Santiniketan → Hoysala (2023) → Moidams (2024) → Maratha forts (2025) → Sarnath (2026).
- Assam has two natural sites from 1985 (Kaziranga, Manas) and one cultural site (Moidams).
- Gujarat’s four: Champaner, Rani-ki-Vav, Ahmedabad, Dholavira.
Exam-ready one-liners
- India has 45 World Heritage Sites: 37 cultural, 7 natural, 1 mixed.
- Sarnath became the 45th site in July 2026.
- Khangchendzonga is India’s only mixed site.
- Ahmedabad was India’s first World Heritage City (2017).
- Ramappa Temple is named after its sculptor, not the deity.
Related reading
- Biosphere reserves of India
- Temples, forts and monuments state-wise
- Tiger reserves and national parks
Quiz: test yourself
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Based on the UNESCO World Heritage List as of November 2026.
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