India's heritage on the world stage
AI-drafted · awaiting admin review
India has 45 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and 16 elements on the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
| World Heritage Sites | 45: 37 cultural, 7 natural and 1 mixed. Sarnath became the 45th in July 2026, at the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee |
|---|---|
| Intangible Cultural Heritage | 16 elements. Deepavali became the 16th on 10 December 2025, at the committee session held at the Red Fort, New Delhi |
| Tentative list | Dozens more sites are on India's tentative list, waiting for nomination |
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Protecting heritage is a shared duty. The Archaeological Survey of India and the Ministry of Culture look after monuments, and Sangeet Natak Akademi maintains the national inventory of intangible heritage. You can help by visiting respectfully, never defacing monuments, and recording the living traditions of your own family and village in the Preserve section.