Ramsar Sites in India 2026: Quick Answer
India has 103 Ramsar sites as of 16 October 2026, spread over 28 states and union territories. The two newest are Sukhna Wetland (Chandigarh) and Sauj Jheel (Uttar Pradesh), added to the Ramsar List on 15 October 2026. Tamil Nadu has the most (20), followed by Uttar Pradesh (14). India had just 26 sites in 2014.
🔥 Key Exam Takeaway: Total = 103 (as of 16 Oct 2026). 99th = Shekha Jheel (UP, April 2026). 100th = Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary, Surha Tal (UP, June 2026). 101st = Glaw Lake (Arunachal Pradesh's first, August 2026). 102nd–103rd = Sukhna Wetland (Chandigarh's first) and Sauj Jheel (UP), October 2026. First Indian sites = Chilika and Keoladeo (1981). Largest = Sundarban Wetland. Montreux Record = Keoladeo and Loktak.
Why do websites show 98, 99, 100 or 101? Because India added a site every few months in 2026: 98 after 31 January, 99 in April, 100 in June, 101 in August and 103 in October. Any page that does not give an "as of" date is probably out of date. This page is as of 16 October 2026.
What Is a Ramsar Site? (Ramsar Convention Basics)
A Ramsar site is a wetland of international importance listed under the Convention on Wetlands, better known as the Ramsar Convention.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Convention signed | 2 February 1971 at Ramsar, Iran |
| World Wetlands Day | 2 February every year |
| India joined | Convention came into force for India on 1 February 1982 |
| First Indian sites | Chilika Lake (Odisha) and Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan), 1 October 1981 |
| Selection rule | A wetland must meet at least one of the Convention's 9 criteria (rare wetland type, threatened species, 20,000+ waterbirds, fish diversity, etc.) |
| Indian law | Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, under MoEFCC |
| Official list | Ramsar Sites Information Service (rsis.ramsar.org) |
Latest Ramsar Sites in India 2025–2026 (with Dates)
These are the additions most likely to be asked in SSC and bank exams this year.
| Site no. (India) | Ramsar site | State / UT | Added |
|---|---|---|---|
| 102–103 | Sukhna Wetland and Sauj Jheel | Chandigarh; Uttar Pradesh (Mainpuri) | 15 October 2026 |
| 101 | Glaw Lake | Arunachal Pradesh (Lohit district) | 3 August 2026 |
| 100 | Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary (Surha Tal) | Uttar Pradesh (Ballia) | 5 June 2026 |
| 99 | Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary | Uttar Pradesh (Aligarh) | April 2026 (announced 22 April) |
| 97–98 | Patna Bird Sanctuary and Chhari-Dhand | Uttar Pradesh (Etah); Gujarat (Kutch) | 31 January 2026 |
| 95–96 | Kopra Jalashay and Siliserh Lake | Chhattisgarh (Bilaspur); Rajasthan (Alwar) | December 2025 |
| 94 | Gogabeel Lake | Bihar (Katihar) | 2025 |
| 92–93 | Gokul Jalashay and Udaipur Jheel | Bihar | September 2025 |
| 90–91 | Khichan Wetland and Menar Wetland Complex | Rajasthan (Phalodi; Udaipur) | June 2025 |
| 86–89 | Sakkarakottai BS, Therthangal BS, Khecheopalri Wetland, Udhwa Lake | Tamil Nadu (2); Sikkim; Jharkhand | Early 2025 (ahead of World Wetlands Day, 2 February 2025) |
The PIB counted 11 new Ramsar sites declared in 2025, which matches the table above (86 to 96).
"First Ramsar site of the state" (favourite exam angle)
| State / UT | First Ramsar site | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Jharkhand | Udhwa Lake | 2025 |
| Sikkim | Khecheopalri Wetland | 2025 |
| Chhattisgarh | Kopra Jalashay | 2025 |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Glaw Lake | 2026 |
| Chandigarh | Sukhna Wetland | 2026 |
Ramsar Sites in India State-wise List 2026 (All 103)
BS = Bird Sanctuary, WLS = Wildlife Sanctuary, CR = Conservation Reserve, RF = Reserve Forest.
| State / UT | No. | Ramsar sites |
|---|---|---|
| Tamil Nadu | 20 | Point Calimere WLS & BS, Karikili BS, Pallikaranai Marsh RF, Pichavaram Mangrove, Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve, Vembannur Wetland Complex, Vellode BS, Vedanthangal BS, Udhayamarthandapuram BS, Koonthankulam BS, Chitrangudi BS, Suchindram Theroor Wetland Complex, Vaduvur BS, Kanjirankulam BS, Karaivetti BS, Longwood Shola RF, Nanjarayan BS, Kazhuveli BS, Sakkarakottai BS, Therthangal BS |
| Uttar Pradesh | 14 | Nawabganj BS, Parvati Arga BS, Saman BS, Samaspur BS, Sandi BS, Sarsai Nawar Jheel, Upper Ganga River (Brijghat to Narora), Sur Sarovar, Haiderpur Wetland, Bakhira Sanctuary, Patna BS, Shekha Jheel BS, Jai Prakash Narayan BS (Surha Tal), Sauj Jheel |
| Bihar | 6 | Kanwar Lake (Kabar Taal), Nagi BS, Nakti BS, Gokul Jalashay, Udaipur Jheel, Gogabeel Lake |
| Odisha | 6 | Chilika Lake, Bhitarkanika Mangroves, Hirakud Reservoir, Satkosia Gorge, Tampara Lake, Ansupa Lake |
| Punjab | 6 | Harike Wetland, Kanjli Wetland, Ropar Wetland, Nangal WLS, Keshopur-Miani Community Reserve, Beas CR |
| Gujarat | 5 | Nalsarovar BS, Thol Lake WLS, Wadhvana Wetland, Khijadiya WLS, Chhari-Dhand |
| Jammu & Kashmir | 5 | Wular Lake, Hokersar Wetland, Surinsar-Mansar Lakes, Hygam Wetland CR, Shallabugh Wetland CR |
| Madhya Pradesh | 5 | Bhoj Wetland, Sakhya Sagar, Sirpur Lake, Yashwant Sagar, Tawa Reservoir |
| Rajasthan | 5 | Keoladeo National Park, Sambhar Lake, Khichan Wetland, Menar Wetland Complex, Siliserh Lake |
| Karnataka | 4 | Ranganathittu BS, Aghanashini Estuary, Magadi Kere CR, Ankasamudra Bird CR |
| Himachal Pradesh | 3 | Pong Dam Lake, Chandra Taal, Renuka Wetland |
| Kerala | 3 | Vembanad-Kol Wetland, Ashtamudi Wetland, Sasthamkotta Lake |
| Maharashtra | 3 | Nandur Madhameshwar, Lonar Lake, Thane Creek |
| Haryana | 2 | Sultanpur National Park, Bhindawas WLS |
| Ladakh | 2 | Tso Moriri, Tso Kar Wetland Complex |
| West Bengal | 2 | East Kolkata Wetlands, Sundarban Wetland |
| Andhra Pradesh | 1 | Kolleru Lake |
| Arunachal Pradesh | 1 | Glaw Lake |
| Assam | 1 | Deepor Beel |
| Chandigarh | 1 | Sukhna Wetland |
| Chhattisgarh | 1 | Kopra Jalashay |
| Goa | 1 | Nanda Lake |
| Jharkhand | 1 | Udhwa Lake |
| Manipur | 1 | Loktak Lake |
| Mizoram | 1 | Pala Wetland |
| Sikkim | 1 | Khecheopalri Wetland |
| Tripura | 1 | Rudrasagar Lake |
| Uttarakhand | 1 | Asan Conservation Reserve |
| Total | 103 | 28 states and UTs |
Which State Has the Most Ramsar Sites in India? (Top States 2026)
| Rank | State | Sites |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tamil Nadu | 20 |
| 2 | Uttar Pradesh | 14 |
| 3 (tie) | Bihar, Odisha, Punjab | 6 each |
| 6 (tie) | Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan | 5 each |
Uttar Pradesh is the fastest riser: it added Patna BS, Shekha Jheel, Surha Tal and Sauj Jheel in 2026 alone, moving from 10 to 14.
Ramsar Sites in India: Records and Unique Facts
| Record | Answer |
|---|---|
| Largest Ramsar site | Sundarban Wetland, West Bengal (about 4,230 sq km) |
| Smallest Ramsar sites | Renuka Wetland (Himachal Pradesh) and Vembannur Wetland Complex (Tamil Nadu), about 20 hectares each |
| Oldest Ramsar sites | Chilika Lake and Keoladeo National Park (1 October 1981) |
| State with most sites | Tamil Nadu (20) |
| State with largest Ramsar area | West Bengal (because of the Sundarbans) |
| Sites on the Montreux Record | Keoladeo National Park and Loktak Lake |
| Removed from the Montreux Record | Chilika Lake (2002) |
| First Ramsar-accredited Wetland Cities | Indore and Udaipur |
One-line facts that are asked in exams
- Loktak Lake (Manipur): has floating biomass called phumdis; Keibul Lamjao, the world's only floating national park, is home to the sangai deer.
- Chilika Lake (Odisha): India's largest brackish-water coastal lagoon, known for Irrawaddy dolphins.
- Sambhar Lake (Rajasthan): India's largest inland saline lake, a flamingo site.
- Lonar Lake (Maharashtra): crater lake formed by a meteorite impact in basalt rock.
- East Kolkata Wetlands (West Bengal): uses city sewage for fish farming and agriculture, a natural wastewater treatment system.
- Tso Moriri and Tso Kar (Ladakh): high-altitude lakes, breeding ground of the black-necked crane.
- Khichan (Rajasthan): famous for demoiselle cranes, locally called kurja.
- Sukhna Wetland (Chandigarh): a reservoir at the base of the Outer Himalayas; habitat for the common pochard and Pallas's fish eagle.
- Sauj Jheel (Uttar Pradesh): a Ganga-floodplain lake near Saman Bird Sanctuary that regularly supports more than 30,000 waterbirds, including sarus cranes.
How to Remember Ramsar Sites in India (Study Method)
- Learn the count timeline first: 26 (2014) → 75 (2022) → 85 (2024) → 98 (Jan 2026) → 100 (June 2026) → 103 (Oct 2026).
- Learn the top two states by heart: Tamil Nadu 20, UP 14. These two hold a third of all sites.
- Learn the 2025–26 additions table, because recent sites are asked more than old ones.
- Learn single-site states as a list: Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal, Assam, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Jharkhand, Manipur, Mizoram, Sikkim, Tripura, Uttarakhand (12 states/UTs).
- Attach one fact to each famous site (dolphins at Chilika, phumdis at Loktak, meteorite at Lonar).
Ramsar Sites in India MCQs with Answers
Q1. How many Ramsar sites does India have as of 16 October 2026? (a) 98 (b) 100 (c) 101 (d) 103 Answer: (d) 103, after Sukhna Wetland and Sauj Jheel were added on 15 October 2026.
Q2. Which wetland became India's 100th Ramsar site? (a) Shekha Jheel (b) Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary (Surha Tal) (c) Glaw Lake (d) Patna Bird Sanctuary Answer: (b) Surha Tal, Ballia (UP), designated in June 2026.
Q3. Glaw Lake, India's 101st Ramsar site, is in: (a) Sikkim (b) Assam (c) Arunachal Pradesh (d) Mizoram Answer: (c) Arunachal Pradesh. It is the state's first Ramsar site.
Q4. Which state has the highest number of Ramsar sites in India? (a) Uttar Pradesh (b) Tamil Nadu (c) Odisha (d) Gujarat Answer: (b) Tamil Nadu (20).
Q5. Sukhna Wetland, added in October 2026, is located in: (a) Punjab (b) Haryana (c) Chandigarh (d) Himachal Pradesh Answer: (c) Chandigarh. It is the UT's first Ramsar site.
Q6. Which two Indian Ramsar sites are on the Montreux Record? (a) Chilika and Loktak (b) Keoladeo and Loktak (c) Keoladeo and Chilika (d) Wular and Loktak Answer: (b) Keoladeo and Loktak. Chilika was removed in 2002.
Q7. The Ramsar Convention was signed in which year? (a) 1971 (b) 1972 (c) 1982 (d) 1992 Answer: (a) 1971, at Ramsar, Iran, on 2 February.
Q8. Which of these is Jharkhand's first Ramsar site? (a) Kopra Jalashay (b) Udhwa Lake (c) Khecheopalri Wetland (d) Deepor Beel Answer: (b) Udhwa Lake, added in 2025. Kopra Jalashay is Chhattisgarh's first and Khecheopalri is Sikkim's first.
Q9. Which is the largest Ramsar site in India by area? (a) Chilika Lake (b) Vembanad-Kol Wetland (c) Sundarban Wetland (d) Wular Lake Answer: (c) Sundarban Wetland, West Bengal.
Q10. Khichan Wetland, famous for demoiselle cranes, is in: (a) Gujarat (b) Rajasthan (c) Madhya Pradesh (d) Haryana Answer: (b) Rajasthan (Phalodi district).
Ramsar Sites in India FAQs
How many Ramsar sites are in India in 2026?
India has 103 Ramsar sites as of 15 October 2026, after Sukhna Wetland (Chandigarh) and Sauj Jheel (Uttar Pradesh) were added that day. The count was 98 at the end of January 2026, 99 in April, 100 in June and 101 in August.
Which are the latest Ramsar sites in India?
Sukhna Wetland (Chandigarh) and Sauj Jheel (Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh), added on 15 October 2026. Before them came Glaw Lake (Arunachal Pradesh) in August 2026.
Which state has the most Ramsar sites in India?
Tamil Nadu with 20, then Uttar Pradesh with 14.
What was India's first Ramsar site?
Chilika Lake (Odisha) and Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan), both listed on 1 October 1981.
Which is the 100th Ramsar site of India?
Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary (Surha Tal) in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, in June 2026.
Does Delhi have a Ramsar site?
No. Delhi has no Ramsar site as of October 2026. Its neighbour Haryana has Sultanpur National Park and Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary.
Related topics: revise Indian rivers origin and end list, important days list 2026, tiger reserves in India 2026, biosphere reserves in India 2026 and national parks in India list 2026 next.
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Sources: Convention on Wetlands (ramsar.org) news releases of 30 January 2026 and 15 October 2026 and the Ramsar Sites Information Service; PIB releases of 31 January 2026, 7 April 2026, 22 April 2026, 5 June 2026 and 3 August 2026 (MoEFCC and PMO). State-wise list cross-checked across two independent compilations. As of 16 October 2026.