India’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites

The following is the list of India’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, compiled based on information available on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) website. For ease of learning and further exploration, a hyperlink has been provided for each site, enabling readers to access detailed information directly from the official UNESCO source.

These links allow you to explore the historical background, architectural features, ecological significance, and conservation status of each site in greater depth. They are particularly useful for understanding the latest additions to the World Heritage List as well as revisiting sites that frequently appear in current affairs and UPSC examinations.

Year	UNESCO World Heritage Site	State	Key Features / Significance
1983	Ajanta Caves	Maharashtra	Rock-cut Buddhist caves famous for murals and sculptures; masterpieces of Buddhist art.
	Ellora Caves	Maharashtra	34 temples/monasteries of Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain traditions; Kailasha Temple is the largest.
	Agra Fort	Uttar Pradesh	Mughal fort built by Akbar in the 16th century; centre of Mughal administration.
	Taj Mahal	Uttar Pradesh	White marble mausoleum built by Shah Jahan (1631–48); finest example of Indo-Islamic architecture.
1984	Sun Temple, Konark	Odisha	13th-century chariot-shaped temple dedicated to Surya; peak of Kalinga architecture.
	Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram	Tamil Nadu	Pallava-period rock-cut temples, rathas and reliefs like Descent of the Ganges.
1985	Manas Wildlife Sanctuary	Assam	Eastern Himalayan biodiversity zone; habitat of endangered species like pygmy hog and golden langur.
	Keoladeo National Park	Rajasthan	Former royal duck-hunting reserve; internationally important wetland for migratory birds.
	Kaziranga National Park	Assam	Largest population of one-horned rhinoceros; important tiger habitat.
1986	Churches and Convents of Goa	Goa	Portuguese-era churches (16th–17th century); blend of European and Indian styles.
	Khajuraho Group of Monuments	Madhya Pradesh	Chandela temples with exquisite sculptures depicting sacred and secular themes.
	Group of Monuments at Hampi	Karnataka	Ruins of the Vijayanagara Empire with temples, markets and urban planning.
	Fatehpur Sikri	Uttar Pradesh	Mughal capital built by Akbar; includes Buland Darwaza, Jama Masjid, Panch Mahal.
1987	Group of Monuments at Pattadakal	Karnataka	Chalukyan temple complex blending Nagara and Dravidian styles.
	Elephanta Caves	Maharashtra	Rock-cut caves dedicated mainly to Shiva; famous Trimurti sculpture.
	Great Living Chola Temples	Tamil Nadu	Brihadisvara (Thanjavur), Gangaikondacholapuram and Airavatesvara temples; peak of Chola architecture.
	Sundarbans National Park	West Bengal	World’s largest mangrove forest and habitat of the Bengal tiger.
1988	Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks	Uttarakhand	Himalayan biodiversity hotspot with alpine meadows and rare fauna like snow leopard.
1989	Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi	Madhya Pradesh	Ancient Buddhist complex with stupas and monasteries from Mauryan to Gupta periods.
1993	Humayun’s Tomb	Delhi	First garden-tomb in India; precursor to the Taj Mahal.
	Qutub Minar and its Monuments	Delhi	Early Indo-Islamic architecture with Qutub Minar, Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque and Iron Pillar.
1999	Mountain Railways of India	WB, TN, HP	Darjeeling, Nilgiri and Kalka–Shimla railways; engineering marvels in mountainous terrain.
2002	Mahabodhi Temple Complex, Bodh Gaya	Bihar	Site of Buddha’s enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree.
2003	Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka	Madhya Pradesh	Prehistoric rock shelters with paintings from Mesolithic to historical periods.
2004	Champaner–Pavagadh Archaeological Park	Gujarat	Complete pre-Mughal Islamic city with temples, mosques, stepwells and fortifications.
	Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus	Maharashtra	Victorian Gothic Revival railway station in Mumbai.
2007	Red Fort Complex	Delhi	Mughal palace-fort built by Shah Jahan; symbol of Indian independence celebrations.
2010	Jantar Mantar	Rajasthan	Astronomical observatory built by Sawai Jai Singh II with large instruments.
2012	Western Ghats	MH, GA, KA, KL, TN	Global biodiversity hotspot with high endemism and ecological importance.
2013	Hill Forts of Rajasthan	Rajasthan	Six Rajput hill forts (Chittor, Kumbhalgarh, Ranthambore, etc.) symbolising Rajput power.
2014	Rani ki Vav	Gujarat	11th-century stepwell with intricate carvings in Maru-Gurjara style.
	Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area	Himachal Pradesh	Rich Himalayan ecosystem with endangered species like musk deer.
2016	Nalanda Mahavihara	Bihar	Ancient Buddhist university and centre of learning (5th–13th century).
	Khangchendzonga National Park	Sikkim	India’s first mixed heritage site; combines biodiversity with sacred cultural traditions.
	Architectural Work of Le Corbusier	Chandigarh	Modernist architectural works including Chandigarh Capitol Complex.
2017	Historic City of Ahmedabad	Gujarat	India’s first UNESCO-listed city; Indo-Islamic architecture and traditional pol houses.
2018	Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai	Maharashtra	Unique urban architectural ensemble around Oval Maidan.
2019	Jaipur City	Rajasthan	Planned 18th-century city with grid pattern and Rajput architecture.
2021	Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple	Telangana	13th-century temple known for floating bricks and advanced engineering.
	Dholavira	Gujarat	Major Harappan city with advanced water management systems.
2023	Santiniketan	West Bengal	Educational and cultural centre associated with Rabindranath Tagore.
	Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas	Karnataka	Belur, Halebidu and Somanathapura temples known for intricate carvings.
2024	Moidams – Ahom Dynasty Burial Mounds	Assam	Royal mound burial system reflecting Tai-Ahom cosmology and traditions.
2025	Maratha Military Landscapes of India	Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu	Network of 12 Maratha forts (e.g., Raigad, Shivneri, Sindhudurg) built or expanded between the late 17th–early 19th centuries