UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES

• UNESCO World Heritage Sites are properties of "Outstanding Universal Value" inscribed under the 1972 World Heritage Convention by the World Heritage Committee.
• India has 44 World Heritage Properties as of 2026 (the Maratha Military Landscapes being the 44th, inscribed 2025).
• The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) under the Ministry of Culture is the nodal agency; ASI maintains 27 of the 44 World Heritage properties.
• High-yield UPSC area: appears in GS-I (Indian Culture) and routinely in Prelims as map/pairing questions.