1. Tiwai Island, which has become a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located in which country?
[A] Kenya
[B] Sierra Leone
[C] Ghana
[D] Mali
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Sierra Leone]
Notes:
Tiwai Island in Sierra Leone has been newly added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2025. It lies in the Moa River, southeastern Sierra Leone. It forms part of the Gola-Tiwai Complex, which includes Gola Rainforest National Park, the country’s largest tropical rainforest. Tiwai is globally known for its rich biodiversity, especially 11 species of primates, including the endangered western chimpanzee, Diana monkey, and king colobus.
2. Which Indian site is recently inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, becoming India’s 44th World Heritage Site?
[A] Lepakshi Temple
[B] River Island of Majuli
[C] Geoglyphs of the Konkan Region
[D] Maratha Military Landscapes
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Maratha Military Landscapes ]
Notes:
Recently, the Maratha Military Landscapes of India were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, becoming India’s 44th World Heritage Site. The landscapes include 12 forts from the 17th to 19th centuries CE, showcasing the strategic brilliance and architectural skill of the Maratha Empire. These forts are located in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu and include Salher, Shivneri, Lohgad, Khanderi, Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala, Vijaydurg, Sindhudurg, and Gingee Fort.
3. Which year did UNESCO declare International Year of Amrita Sher-Gil?
[A] 2014
[B] 2013
[C] 2015
[D] 2017
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [2013]
Notes:
UNESCO designated 2013 as the International Year of Amrita Sher-Gil to honor her contributions as a pioneering modernist painter. Her fusion of Western and Indian techniques marked a significant era in Indian art. Her birth centenary was celebrated in 2013, bringing her legacy into focus globally.
4. Consider the following places:
- Mahabodhi Temple Complex, Bodh Gaya
- Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi
- Lumbini
- Ajanta and Ellora Caves
- Nalanda Mahavihara
- Borobudur Temple Compounds
- Paharpur, Bangladesh
Which of the above are inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites?
[A] Only 1, 2, 3, and 4
[B] 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 only
[C] All of the above
[D] Only 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [All of the above]
Notes:All the sites listed—Mahabodhi Temple Complex, Sanchi, Lumbini, Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Nalanda Mahavihara, Borobudur, and Paharpur—are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
- Mahabodhi Temple (India)
- Sanchi (India)
- Lumbini (Nepal)
- Ajanta and Ellora Caves (India)
- Nalanda Mahavihara (India)
- Borobudur (Indonesia)
- Paharpur (Bangladesh)
Each has been recognized for its outstanding historical and religious significance in Buddhist heritage.
5. Salkhan Fossil Park, which has recently been added to UNESCO’s Tentative List for World Heritage Sites, is located in which state?
[A] Uttar Pradesh
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] Bihar
[D] Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Uttar Pradesh]
Notes:
Recently, Salkhan Fossil Park, also called Sonbhadra Fossils Park, was added to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Tentative List for World Heritage Sites. It is located in Salkhan village in Sonbhadra district of Uttar Pradesh. The park contains stromatolites—layered rocks formed by ancient cyanobacteria—from the Mesoproterozoic era, around 1.4 billion years ago. These fossils are older than those in Shark Bay, Australia, and Yellowstone, USA, and have challenged previous beliefs about early life on Earth.
6. Which of the following biosphere reserves in Kerala is included in UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme?
[A] Silent Valley Biosphere Reserve
[B] Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve
[C] Wayanad Biosphere Reserve
[D] Periyar Biosphere Reserve
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve]
Notes:
Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve, spanning Kerala and Tamil Nadu, is recognized by UNESCO for its biodiversity and endemism.
7. Which of the following biosphere reserves in Himachal Pradesh is included in UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves?
[A] Pin Valley Biosphere Reserve
[B] Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve
[C] Great Himalayan National Park Biosphere Reserve
[D] Dhauladhar Biosphere Reserve
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve]
Notes:
The Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve, covering parts of Lahaul, Spiti, and Kinnaur, is listed by UNESCO for its unique high-altitude desert ecosystem.
8. In which UNESCO World Heritage Site in Gujarat can the Bawaman Mosque, a Monument of National Importance, be found?
[A] Rani ki Vav, Patan
[B] Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad
[C] Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park
[D] Sun Temple, Modhera
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park]
Notes:
Bawaman Mosque is located in Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Gujarat.
9. Which wildlife sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh is being considered for UNESCO World Heritage status?
[A] Mouling National Park
[B] Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary
[C] Namdapha National Park
[D] Dihang-Dibang Biosphere Reserve
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Dihang-Dibang Biosphere Reserve]
Notes:
Dihang-Dibang Biosphere Reserve harbors species like red panda and Mishmi takin, and is proposed as a UNESCO site for its unique Eastern Himalayan biodiversity.
10. Champaner, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Gujarat, is situated near which hill?
[A] Girnar Hill
[B] Saputara Hill
[C] Shatrunjaya Hill
[D] Pavagadh Hill
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Pavagadh Hill]
Notes:
Champaner, near Pavagadh Hill in Gujarat, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for 15th-century forts, palaces, and mosques, reflecting significant archaeological and historical heritage.
