UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India 2025 | PDF Download
India is a land where every stone, temple, and mountain whispers a story of its glorious past and the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India are proof of that. As of 2025, our country proudly holds 44 World Heritage Sites, recognized for their cultural brilliance, natural beauty, and historic importance. India ranks 6th globally in UNESCO World Heritage Sites
62 additional sites on the tentative list for future consideration.
This post gives students, especially those preparing for UPSC, SSC, Banking, MPSC, and State PSC exams, a detailed and updated list of UNESCO Heritage Sites in India 2025, including their locations, categories, and years of inscription. You can also download a UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India PDF for quick revision — ideal for last-minute exam prep.
What are UNESCO World Heritage Sites?
The UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) gives this recognition to cultural landmarks, natural reserves, or mixed sites that hold global importance. These are places that must be protected and preserved for future generations.
From the majestic Taj Mahal to the lush Kaziranga National Park, every UNESCO site in India showcases a different shade of our civilization art, spirituality, and natural beauty, all combined.
List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India (2025 Updated)
As per the official UNESCO records, India now has 44 World Heritage Sites:
36 Cultural Sites
7 Natural Sites
1 Mixed Site
Cultural UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India
These sites reflect India’s long, rich, and artistic history. From ancient temples to colonial-era architecture.
They are often asked in GK questions about Indian culture and are must-learn topics for every student.
|
S.No |
Site Name |
State/Location |
Year of Inscription |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Agra Fort |
Uttar Pradesh |
1983 |
|
2 |
Ajanta Caves |
Maharashtra |
1983 |
|
3 |
Ellora Caves |
Maharashtra |
1983 |
|
4 |
Taj Mahal |
Uttar Pradesh |
1983 |
|
5 |
Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram |
Tamil Nadu |
1984 |
|
6 |
Sun Temple, Konark |
Odisha |
1984 |
|
7 |
Churches and Convents of Goa |
Goa |
1986 |
|
8 |
Fatehpur Sikri |
Uttar Pradesh |
1986 |
|
9 |
Group of Monuments at Hampi |
Karnataka |
1986 |
|
10 |
Khajuraho Group of Monuments |
Madhya Pradesh |
1986 |
|
11 |
Elephanta Caves |
Maharashtra |
1987 |
|
12 |
Great Living Chola Temples |
Tamil Nadu |
1987 |
|
13 |
Group of Monuments at Pattadakal |
Karnataka |
1987 |
|
14 |
Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi |
Madhya Pradesh |
1989 |
|
15 |
Humayun’s Tomb |
Delhi |
1993 |
|
16 |
Qutb Minar and its Monuments |
Delhi |
1993 |
|
17 |
Mountain Railways of India |
Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh |
1999 |
|
18 |
Mahabodhi Temple Complex, Bodh Gaya |
Bihar |
2002 |
|
19 |
Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka |
Madhya Pradesh |
2003 |
|
20 |
Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park |
Gujarat |
2004 |
|
21 |
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) |
Maharashtra |
2004 |
|
22 |
Red Fort Complex |
Delhi |
2007 |
|
23 |
The Jantar Mantar |
Jaipur, Rajasthan |
2010 |
|
24 |
Hill Fort of Rajasthan |
Rajasthan |
2013 |
|
25 |
Rani ki Vav (Queen’s Stepwell) |
Gujarat |
2014 |
|
26 |
Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara |
Bihar |
2016 |
|
27 |
Historic City of Ahmedabad |
Gujarat |
2017 |
|
28 |
The Victorian and Art Deco Ensemble of Mumbai |
Maharashtra |
2018 |
|
29 |
Jaipur City |
Rajasthan |
2019 |
|
30 |
Dholavira: A Harappan City |
Gujarat |
2021 |
|
31 |
Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple |
Telangana |
2021 |
|
32 |
Santiniketan |
West Bengal |
2023 |
|
33 |
Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas |
Karnataka |
2023 |
|
34 |
Moidams – The Mound-Burial System of the Ahom Dynasty |
Assam |
2024 |
|
35 |
Maratha Military Landscapes of India |
Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu |
2025 |
|
36 |
The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier |
Chandigarh, Punjab |
2016 |
Natural UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India
The Natural World Heritage Sites in India are a paradise for nature lovers. These include national parks and wildlife sanctuaries recognized for their biodiversity and conservation value.
|
S.No |
Site Name |
State/Location |
Year of Inscription |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Assam |
1985 | |
|
2 |
Keoladeo National Park |
Rajasthan |
1985 |
|
3 |
Manas Wildlife Sanctuary |
Assam |
1985 |
|
4 |
Sundarbans National Park |
West Bengal |
1987 |
|
5 |
Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers |
Uttarakhand |
1988 |
|
6 |
Western Ghats |
Multiple States |
2012 |
|
7 |
Great Himalayan National Park |
Himachal Pradesh |
2014 |
Mixed Heritage Site in India
This site beautifully blends India’s cultural heritage and natural ecosystem. A spiritual landscape surrounded by towering Himalayan peaks.
|
S.No |
Site Name |
State |
Year |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Khangchendzonga National Park |
Sikkim |
2016 |
Read our Latest Blog Posts
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India 2025 | PDF Download
- Important Days and Dates (National & International) | Month-Wise List with PDF
- Top 100 HP GK Questions In English For Competitive Exams
- Women’s World Cup, Gaza Peace Plan: 1st OCT Current Affairs 2025
Tentative UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India (2025)
India currently has 44 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, but several more are under UNESCO’s Tentative list. Meaning they are officially proposed and awaiting evaluation. These sites reflect India’s ongoing commitment to preserving its diverse cultural, architectural, and natural heritage. Many of them are likly to be included in the official list in the coming years.
|
S.No |
Site Name |
State |
Year Added to Tentative List |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
River Island of Majuli |
Assam |
2004 |
|
2 |
Mangalajodi |
Odisha |
2006 |
|
3 |
Bhedaghat – Lametaghat, Narmada Valley |
Madhya Pradesh |
2009 |
|
4 |
Temples at Bishnupur |
West Bengal |
1998 |
|
5 |
Mughal Gardens of Kashmir |
Jammu & Kashmir |
2014 |
|
6 |
Sites of Decorated Rock Shelters of Mirzapur |
Uttar Pradesh |
2021 |
|
7 |
The Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysala |
Karnataka |
2023 |
|
8 |
Satpura Tiger Reserve |
Madhya Pradesh |
2021 |
|
9 |
Neora Valley National Park |
West Bengal |
2021 |
|
10 |
Meghalaya Living Rooy Bridges |
Meghalaya |
2022 |
|
11 |
Ganga Ghats of Varanasi |
Uttar Pradesh |
2021 |
|
12 |
Ancient Buddhist Sites of Sarnath |
Uttar Pradesh |
2021 |
|
13 |
Sri Veerabhadra Temple and Monolithic Bull, Pepakshi |
Andhra Pradesh |
2021 |
|
14 |
Odisha Temples (Lingraj Temple) |
Odisha |
2021 |
|
15 |
Modhera Sun Temple |
Gujarat |
2021 |
|
16 |
Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary |
Rajasthan |
2021 |
|
17 |
Desert National Park |
Rajasthan |
2021 |
|
18 |
Bhitarkanika Conservation Area |
Odisha |
2021 |
|
19 |
The Mughal City of Burhanpur |
Madhya Pradesh |
2021 |
|
20 |
Majuli Cultural Landscape |
Assam |
2021 |
|
21 |
Varanasi Riverfront heritage Zone |
Uttar Pradesh |
2021 |
|
22 |
Puri-Konark Marine Drive Corridor |
Odisha |
2021 |
|
23 |
Coastal Biodiversity of Gujarat |
Gujarat |
2021 |
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India PDF 2025
To make your preparations easier, we have created a free downloadable PDF of the complete list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites Quiz
Test your general knowledge about India’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites with this quiz. Only a genius can pass this GK test.
Why Are UNESCO Heritage Sites Important for Students?
If you’re preparing for competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, State PSCs, or Banking, you’ll notice that questions about UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India appear regularly in Static GK and Indian Culture sections.
Understanding these sites helps in:
- Building factual GK knowledge
- Strengthening your art and culture notes
- Improving essay and descriptive answer writing.
Conclusion
India’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites are not just tourist spots, they are the heartbeat of our civilization.
Whether you’re studying for UPSC, brushing up for SSC GK, or just exploring India’s glory, these sites remind us why our culture stands tall in the world.
So go ahead; explore, learn, and test your knowledge with our Heritage Sites Quiz and Static GK quizzes to solidify what you’ve learned today.
FAQ
-
How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites are there in India (2025)?
Answer: There are 44 World Heritage Sites in India.
-
Which is the latest UNESCO World Heritage Site in India?
Answer: Maratha Military Landscapes of India (2025)
-
Which was the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in India?
Answer: The Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, Agra Fort, and Taj Mahal were among the first sites inscribed in 1983.
Source: Official site, Wikipedia
