UNESCO World Heritage List: India’s Permanent Delegation to UNESCO announced on Tuesday that three additional sites have been added to the tentative list of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) World Heritage Convention. The three sites are the Karst-mud-volcano Complex of Baratang, the Andaman Subduction Volcanoes located in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and the Sirpur Cultural and Archaeological Landscape situated in Chhattisgarh.
According to a press release from India’s Permanent Delegation to UNESCO in Paris issued on October 20, these sites have been incorporated into India’s tentative list as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention.
Recognizing the ASI’s Contributions
Before any site can be considered for nomination to the World Heritage List, it must first appear on the “Tentative List.” The delegation also recognized the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for its valuable contributions to this process. Adding these sites to the tentative list represents an important milestone toward achieving UNESCO World Heritage status for all three locations.
India’s Growing World Heritage Portfolio
India currently boasts 45 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, a number that increased with the inclusion of the historic Buddhist site of Sarnath in July 2026. This collection comprises 37 cultural sites, seven natural sites, and one mixed site.
India’s Position on the Global Stage
India holds the sixth position globally and the second position in the Asia-Pacific region regarding the number of World Heritage Sites. The nations with the most World Heritage Sites are Italy (62 sites), China (61), France (56), Germany (55), and Spain (50).
India’s Heritage Journey
India’s first four World Heritage Sites were designated in 1983: the Ajanta Caves and Ellora Caves in Maharashtra, along with the Agra Fort and Taj Mahal in Uttar Pradesh. All four were recognized as cultural sites for their remarkable historical, architectural, and artistic value.