The List of National Parks in India reflects the country’s commitment to protecting wildlife, forests, biodiversity, and ecological balance. National parks are protected areas created to conserve endangered species and provide them with safe natural habitats and prey. Activities such as hunting, cultivation, industrial operations, forestry exploitation, poaching, and private land use are strictly prohibited inside these parks. Their boundaries are legally defined under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, ensuring long-term conservation and ecological preservation.
India is home to some of the world’s most famous wildlife reserves, including Jim Corbett National Park, Kaziranga National Park, and Gir National Park. These parks are globally recognized for conserving Bengal tigers, one-horned rhinoceroses, Asiatic lions, elephants, and several rare species.
The List of National Parks in India is an important topic for UPSC GS Paper III under Environment and Ecology, as questions are frequently asked about protected areas, biodiversity conservation, biosphere reserves, and wildlife protection initiatives.
According to the latest data available from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), India currently has 106 National Parks spread across different states and Union Territories.
These national parks together cover approximately 44,402 sq. km, accounting for around 1.35% of India’s total geographical area. The number may change in the future as new parks are notified or existing protected areas are upgraded.
National Parks in India are legally protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and are managed to preserve ecosystems, flora, fauna, and biodiversity.
The table below provides the updated state-wise List of National Parks in India along with their year of establishment.
| State/UT | Number of National Parks | Important National Parks |
| Madhya Pradesh | 10 | Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Pench, Kuno |
| Maharashtra | 6 | Tadoba, Gugamal, Chandoli |
| Assam | 7 | Kaziranga, Manas, Raimona |
| Rajasthan | 5 | Ranthambore, Sariska, Keoladeo |
| Uttarakhand | 6 | Corbett, Rajaji, Valley of Flowers |
| Kerala | 6 | Periyar, Silent Valley, Eravikulam |
| Karnataka | 5 | Bandipur, Nagarahole, Kudremukh |
| Tamil Nadu | 5 | Mudumalai, Mukurthi, Guindy |
| Gujarat | 4 | Gir, Blackbuck, Marine Gulf of Kachchh |
| Chhattisgarh | 3 | Indravati, Kanger Valley |
| Odisha | 2 | Simlipal, Bhitarkanika |
| West Bengal | 6 | Sundarbans, Jaldapara, Buxa |
| Andaman & Nicobar Islands | 9 | Campbell Bay, Saddle Peak |
| Himachal Pradesh | 5 | Great Himalayan, Pin Valley |
| Jammu & Kashmir | 3 | Dachigam, Kishtwar |
| Telangana | 3 | Mrugavani, Mahaveer Harina Vanasthali |
| Andhra Pradesh | 3 | Papikonda, Sri Venkateswara |
| Arunachal Pradesh | 2 | Namdapha, Mouling |
| Meghalaya | 2 | Nokrek, Balphakram |
| Mizoram | 2 | Murlen, Phawngpui |
| Tripura | 2 | Clouded Leopard, Rajbari |
| Haryana | 2 | Sultanpur, Kalesar |
| Sikkim | 1 | Khangchendzonga |
| Uttar Pradesh | 1 | Dudhwa |
| Goa | 1 | Mollem |
| Manipur | 1 | Keibul Lamjao |
| Jharkhand | 1 | Betla |
| Ladakh | 1 | Hemis |
| Feature | Details |
| Total National Parks | 106 |
| Largest National Park | Hemis National Park, Ladakh |
| Oldest National Park | Jim Corbett National Park (1936) |
| First Marine National Park | Gulf of Kachchh Marine National Park |
| Only Floating National Park | Keibul Lamjao National Park |
| State with Most National Parks | Madhya Pradesh |
| Famous for Asiatic Lions | Gir National Park |
| Famous for One-Horned Rhinoceros | Kaziranga National Park |
A National Parks in India Map helps aspirants understand the geographical distribution of protected areas across the country. It highlights biodiversity-rich regions such as Northeast India, the Western Ghats, the Himalayan belt, and Central India.
For example:
Understanding the map of national parks is highly useful for UPSC Prelims, SSC, State PCS, Railways, and other competitive exams.
The List of National Parks in India becomes even more interesting when we explore the iconic animals protected inside these parks. India’s national parks are home to Bengal tigers, Asiatic lions, one-horned rhinoceroses, elephants, snow leopards, and many endangered bird species. These protected areas preserve some of the world’s richest biodiversity zones.
| National Park | State | Famous Animals |
| Jim Corbett National Park | Uttarakhand | Bengal Tiger, Asian Elephant, Leopard |
| Ranthambore National Park | Rajasthan | Bengal Tiger, Leopard, Sloth Bear |
| Keoladeo National Park | Rajasthan | Migratory Birds, Deer |
| National Park | State | Famous Animals |
| Kanha National Park | Madhya Pradesh | Bengal Tiger, Barasingha, Gaur |
| Bandhavgarh National Park | Madhya Pradesh | Bengal Tiger, Leopard |
| Pench National Park | Madhya Pradesh/Maharashtra | Bengal Tiger, Leopard |
| Tadoba National Park | Maharashtra | Bengal Tiger, Sloth Bear |
| National Park | State | Famous Animals |
| Kaziranga National Park | Assam | One-Horned Rhino, Elephant, Tiger |
| Manas National Park | Assam | Golden Langur, Rhino, Elephant |
| Sundarbans National Park | West Bengal | Royal Bengal Tiger, Saltwater Crocodile |
| National Park | State | Famous Animals |
| Gir National Park | Gujarat | Asiatic Lion, Leopard |
| Velavadar Blackbuck National Park | Gujarat | Blackbuck, Indian Wolf |
| National Park | State | Famous Animals |
| Periyar National Park | Kerala | Asian Elephant, Bengal Tiger |
| Bandipur National Park | Karnataka | Bengal Tiger, Elephant |
| Nagarahole National Park | Karnataka | Tiger, Gaur |
| Mudumalai National Park | Tamil Nadu | Bengal Tiger, Elephant |
| National Park | State/UT | Famous Animals |
| Hemis National Park | Ladakh | Snow Leopard, Himalayan Ibex |
| Great Himalayan National Park | Himachal Pradesh | Musk Deer, Himalayan Tahr |
| Eravikulam National Park | Kerala | Nilgiri Tahr |
| Animal | Famous National Parks |
| Bengal Tiger | Corbett, Kanha, Ranthambore, Sundarbans |
| One-Horned Rhino | Kaziranga National Park |
| Asiatic Lion | Gir National Park |
| Asian Elephant | Periyar, Kaziranga, Bandipur |
| Snow Leopard | Hemis National Park |
South Button Island National Park is the smallest national park in India, covering only 0.03 sq. km.
| Rank | National Park | Location | Area (sq. km) |
| 1 | South Button Island National Park | Andaman and Nicobar Islands | 0.03 |
| 2 | Fossil National Park | Madhya Pradesh | 0.27 |
| 3 | Middle Button Island National Park | Andaman and Nicobar Islands | 0.44 |
| 4 | North Button Island National Park | Andaman and Nicobar Islands | 0.44 |
| 5 | Pambadum Shola National Park | Tamil Nadu | 1.32 |
| 6 | Sultanpur National Park | Haryana | 1.43 |
The newest additions to the List of National Parks in India include parks declared in recent years to strengthen biodiversity conservation and ecological protection.
| Rank | National Park | State | Year Declared |
| 1 | Raimona National Park | Assam | 2021 |
| 2 | Dihing Patkai National Park | Assam | 2021 |
| 3 | Jaldapara National Park | West Bengal | 2014 |
| 4 | Kuno National Park | Madhya Pradesh | Upgraded Recently in Focus |
Note: Simlipal is already an existing national park and was not declared India’s 107th national park in 2025. The official count remains 106 national parks as per current records.
Hemis National Park is the largest national park in India, spread across approximately 4,400 sq. km.
| Rank | National Park | State/UT | Area (sq. km) | Famous For |
| 1 | Hemis National Park | Ladakh | 4,400 | Snow Leopard |
| 2 | Desert National Park | Rajasthan | 3,162 | Great Indian Bustard |
| 3 | Gangotri National Park | Uttarakhand | 2,390 | Gangotri Glacier |
| 4 | Namdapha National Park | Arunachal Pradesh | 1,985 | Rich Biodiversity |
| 5 | Khangchendzonga National Park | Sikkim | 1,784 | UNESCO Heritage Site |
| 6 | Sundarbans National Park | West Bengal | 1,330 | Mangrove Ecosystem |
| 7 | Jim Corbett National Park | Uttarakhand | 1,318 | India’s Oldest National Park |
Jim Corbett National Park is India’s first and oldest national park, established in 1936.
| Rank | National Park | Year Established | State |
| 1 | Jim Corbett National Park | 1936 | Uttarakhand |
| 2 | Kanha National Park | 1955 | Madhya Pradesh |
| 3 | Tadoba National Park | 1955 | Maharashtra |
| 4 | Madhav National Park | 1959 | Madhya Pradesh |
| 5 | Gir National Park | 1965 | Gujarat |
| 6 | Bandhavgarh National Park | 1968 | Madhya Pradesh |
| 7 | Kaziranga National Park | 1974 | Assam |
| 8 | Bandipur National Park | 1974 | Karnataka |
| 9 | Bannerghatta National Park | 1974 | Karnataka |
| 10 | Sundarbans National Park | 1984 | West Bengal |
Let’s shed some light on the classification of National parks based on geography, ecosystem, etc.
Here the classification based on the region:
These parks preserve alpine and subalpine ecosystems.
These parks protect tropical evergreen forests and biodiversity hotspots.
Known for dense forests and high rainfall.
Famous for tiger reserves and deciduous forests.
| Ecosystem Type | Famous National Parks |
| Forest Ecosystem | Jim Corbett, Satpura |
| Wetlands & Riverine | Keoladeo, Kaziranga |
| Grassland Ecosystem | Velavadar, Ranthambore |
| Marine & Coastal Ecosystem | Sundarbans, Gulf of Kachchh |
Here are some quick revision points for UPSC and other competitive exams:
| Feature | Key Information |
| Total National Parks | 106 |
| Oldest National Park | Jim Corbett National Park |
| Largest National Park | Hemis National Park |
| State with Most National Parks | Madhya Pradesh |
| Famous Tiger Parks | Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Sundarbans |
| Rhino Conservation | Kaziranga National Park |
| Asiatic Lion Habitat | Gir National Park |
| Smallest National Park | South Button Island National Park |
The List of National Parks in India is extremely important for UPSC Prelims, SSC, State PCS, Railways, and other competitive examinations. These parks protect India’s ecological diversity while conserving endangered wildlife species for future generations. To improve overall preparation and revision, aspirants should regularly practice mock tests and current affairs quizzes through PracticeMock to strengthen their accuracy and exam readiness.
As per the latest available records, India has 106 national parks spread across different states and Union Territories, covering around 1.35% of the country’s total geographical area.
Currently, India officially has 106 national parks. No national park has yet been officially recognized as the 107th national park by the Government of India.
Hemis National Park in Ladakh is the largest national park in India. It covers nearly 4,400 square kilometres and is famous for snow leopards and high-altitude cold desert ecosystems.
Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand is the first national park in India. It was established in 1936 and was initially known as Hailey National Park.
South Button Island National Park in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is the smallest national park in India, covering an area of only 0.03 square kilometres.
Keibul Lamjao National Park in Manipur is known as the floating national park of India because it is situated on floating vegetation called phumdis in Loktak Lake.
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