UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre has added three Indian properties to India’s UNESCO Tentative List. The Permanent Delegation of India to UNESCO in Paris shared the news on 20 October 2026. Two new entries are natural sites in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Meanwhile, the third is the Sirpur Cultural and Archaeological Landscape in Chhattisgarh. Hence, all three can now move towards a World Heritage nomination.
Three New Entries from India
The Indian mission thanked the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for preparing the documentation. “We thank the Archaeological Survey of India for its diligent work,” the delegation said. Moreover, it stressed that “Addition to the Tentative List is a prerequisite” for any later nomination.
Mud Volcanoes and Caves of Baratang
The Karst-mud-volcano Complex of Baratang combines limestone caves with mud volcanoes. Locally, people call these mud volcanoes “Jalki”. Unlike lava volcanoes, they emit cool mud, water and gases. Moreover, they erupted in 2025 after about 20 years of dormancy. The property also holds the region’s largest underground cave complex.
Barren and Narcondam: The Subduction Volcanoes
The Andaman Subduction Volcanoes cover Barren Island and Narcondam Island. Notably, they are the only Quaternary-period subduction volcanoes in the inner arc of the Burma-Andaman-Java complex. Barren Island, India’s only active volcano, has a caldera about 2 km wide. Also, the Geological Survey of India declared it a geoheritage site in 2025. Narcondam, meanwhile, is an Important Bird Area.
Sirpur on the Banks of the Mahanadi
Sirpur lies in Mahasamund district on the eastern bank of the Mahanadi, about 78 km from Raipur. It combines a riverine trade centre, an urban archaeological ensemble and a multi-faith religious landscape. Interestingly, the site sits in the Proterozoic Chhattisgarh Basin, over ancient stromatolites. Further, Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary lies in its buffer zone.
What Is a Tentative List?
A Tentative List is an inventory of properties that a country plans to nominate. Therefore, inclusion does not make a site a World Heritage Site. Then, the World Heritage Committee decides on each nomination after expert evaluation.
UNESCO Tentative List: Key Facts for Revision
- Announced by: Permanent Delegation of India to UNESCO, 20 October 2026
- Natural sites: Baratang Karst-mud-volcano Complex; Andaman Subduction Volcanoes
- Cultural site: Sirpur, Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh
- Baratang: Mud volcanoes called “Jalki”
- Barren Island: India’s only active volcano
Why the UNESCO Tentative List Matters for UPSC and UKPSC
Notably, UPSC often asks about heritage sites and volcanic landforms. So, remember the three new sites, the “Jalki” mud volcanoes and the Barren–Narcondam pair. Also, link Sirpur with the Mahanadi valley. For official updates, also visit UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Next, for a related story, read about Sarnath as India’s 45th World Heritage Site.
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