How Many Tiger Reserves in India in 2026?
India has 58 tiger reserves in 2026, spread over 18 states, as listed by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). The newest is Madhav Tiger Reserve in Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh (notified in March 2025), and Madhya Pradesh has the most tiger reserves (9). Together the reserves cover about 84,488 sq km (NTCA total: 84,487.83 sq km), which the government puts at roughly 2.56% of India's area.
Key takeaway for SSC and bank exams: 58 tiger reserves, 18 states, newest = Madhav (58th, MP), 57th = Ratapani (MP), 56th = Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla (Chhattisgarh). Largest by total area = Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam (Andhra Pradesh, 3,296.31 sq km). Most reserves = Madhya Pradesh (9), then Maharashtra (6). Tiger population (AITE 2022) = 3,682.
Every list and area figure below was checked against the NTCA "List of Tiger Reserves" table (page last updated 15 October 2026) and re-checked on 22 October 2026: the count is still 58, with no 59th reserve notified. Also revise our Ramsar sites in India 2026 list and biosphere reserves in India 2026, because exams often mix the three protected-area lists in one question set.
Tiger Reserves in India 2026: Quick Facts Table
| Fact | Answer (as on 22 Oct 2026) |
|---|---|
| Total tiger reserves | 58 |
| States with tiger reserves | 18 |
| Newest (58th) | Madhav, Madhya Pradesh (March 2025) |
| 57th | Ratapani, Madhya Pradesh (2024) |
| 56th | Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla, Chhattisgarh (2024) |
| State with most reserves | Madhya Pradesh (9) |
| Largest by total area | Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh (3,296.31 sq km) |
| Largest core area | Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam (2,595.72 sq km core) |
| Smallest by total area (NTCA table) | Nameri, Assam (464 sq km) |
| Smallest core area | Orang, Assam (79.28 sq km core) |
| Total area (NTCA) | 84,487.83 sq km (core 46,701.29 + buffer 37,786.54) |
| Launched | Project Tiger, 1973 (9 reserves) |
| Who notifies | State Government, on NTCA's recommendation (Section 38V, Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972) |
| Tiger population (AITE 2022) | 3,682 |
State-Wise List of Tiger Reserves in India 2026
This is the question students search most: "how many tiger reserves in Madhya Pradesh / Karnataka / Assam". The state counts below are taken from NTCA's state-wise grouping and add up to 58.
| State | Number | Tiger reserves |
|---|---|---|
| Madhya Pradesh | 9 | Kanha, Pench, Bandhavgarh, Panna, Satpura, Sanjay-Dubri, Veerangana Durgavati, Ratapani, Madhav |
| Maharashtra | 6 | Melghat, Tadoba-Andhari, Pench, Sahyadri, Nawegaon-Nagzira, Bor |
| Karnataka | 5 | Bandipur, Bhadra, Kali, Nagarahole, Biligiri Ranganatha Temple (BRT) |
| Rajasthan | 5 | Ranthambore, Sariska, Mukundara Hills, Ramgarh Vishdhari, Dholpur-Karauli |
| Tamil Nadu | 5 | Kalakad-Mundanthurai, Anamalai, Mudumalai, Sathyamangalam, Srivilliputhur-Megamalai |
| Assam | 4 | Manas, Nameri, Kaziranga, Orang |
| Chhattisgarh | 4 | Indravati, Udanti-Sitanadi, Achanakmar, Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla |
| Arunachal Pradesh | 3 | Namdapha, Pakke, Kamlang |
| Uttar Pradesh | 3 | Dudhwa, Pilibhit, Ranipur |
| Uttarakhand | 2 | Corbett, Rajaji |
| Odisha | 2 | Similipal, Satkosia |
| West Bengal | 2 | Sundarban, Buxa |
| Kerala | 2 | Periyar, Parambikulam |
| Telangana | 2 | Kawal, Amrabad |
| Andhra Pradesh | 1 | Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam |
| Bihar | 1 | Valmiki |
| Jharkhand | 1 | Palamau |
| Mizoram | 1 | Dampa |
Memory hook: "9-6-5-5-5" for MP, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu. These five states alone hold 30 of the 58 reserves.
States with no tiger reserve that are often used as wrong options: Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Goa, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura and Sikkim.
Complete List of 58 Tiger Reserves with Year and Area (NTCA)
The serial number follows NTCA's own table. "TR notified" is the year of the tiger reserve notification shown by NTCA (many of the 1973 originals were re-notified with core and buffer areas around 2007 after the 2006 amendment). Areas are in sq km.
| No. | Tiger reserve | State | TR notified | Core | Buffer | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bandipur | Karnataka | 2007 | 872.24 | 584.06 | 1,456.30 |
| 2 | Corbett | Uttarakhand | 2010 | 821.99 | 466.32 | 1,288.31 |
| 3 | Kanha | Madhya Pradesh | 2007 | 917.43 | 1,134.36 | 2,051.79 |
| 4 | Manas | Assam | 2008 | 526.22 | 2,310.88 | 2,837.10 |
| 5 | Melghat | Maharashtra | 2007 | 1,500.49 | 1,268.03 | 2,768.52 |
| 6 | Palamau | Jharkhand | 2012 | 414.08 | 715.85 | 1,129.93 |
| 7 | Ranthambore | Rajasthan | 2007 | 1,113.36 | 297.92 | 1,411.29 |
| 8 | Similipal | Odisha | 2007 | 1,194.75 | 1,555.25 | 2,750.00 |
| 9 | Sundarban | West Bengal | 2007 | 1,699.62 | 885.27 | 2,584.89 |
| 10 | Periyar | Kerala | 2007 | 881.00 | 44.00 | 925.00 |
| 11 | Sariska | Rajasthan | 2007 | 881.11 | 332.23 | 1,213.34 |
| 12 | Buxa | West Bengal | 2009 | 390.58 | 367.32 | 757.90 |
| 13 | Indravati | Chhattisgarh | 2009 | 1,258.37 | 1,540.70 | 2,799.07 |
| 14 | Namdapha | Arunachal Pradesh | 1987 | 1,807.82 | 245.00 | 2,052.82 |
| 15 | Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam | Andhra Pradesh | 2007 | 2,595.72 | 700.59 | 3,296.31 |
| 16 | Dudhwa | Uttar Pradesh | 2010 | 1,093.79 | 1,107.98 | 2,201.77 |
| 17 | Kalakad-Mundanthurai | Tamil Nadu | 2007 | 895.00 | 706.54 | 1,601.54 |
| 18 | Valmiki | Bihar | 2012 | 598.45 | 300.93 | 899.38 |
| 19 | Pench | Madhya Pradesh | 2007 | 411.33 | 768.30 | 1,179.63 |
| 20 | Tadoba-Andhari | Maharashtra | 2007 | 625.82 | 1,101.77 | 1,727.59 |
| 21 | Bandhavgarh | Madhya Pradesh | 2007 | 716.90 | 820.03 | 1,536.93 |
| 22 | Panna | Madhya Pradesh | 2007 | 576.13 | 1,021.97 | 1,598.10 |
| 23 | Dampa | Mizoram | 2007 | 500.00 | 488.00 | 988.00 |
| 24 | Bhadra | Karnataka | 2007 | 492.46 | 571.83 | 1,064.29 |
| 25 | Pench | Maharashtra | 2007 | 257.26 | 483.96 | 741.22 |
| 26 | Pakke | Arunachal Pradesh | 2012 | 683.45 | 515.00 | 1,198.45 |
| 27 | Nameri | Assam | 2000 | 320.00 | 144.00 | 464.00 |
| 28 | Satpura | Madhya Pradesh | 2007 | 1,339.26 | 794.04 | 2,133.31 |
| 29 | Anamalai | Tamil Nadu | 2007 | 958.59 | 521.28 | 1,479.87 |
| 30 | Udanti-Sitanadi | Chhattisgarh | 2009 | 851.09 | 991.45 | 1,842.54 |
| 31 | Satkosia | Odisha | 2007 | 523.61 | 440.26 | 963.87 |
| 32 | Kaziranga | Assam | 2007 | 625.58 | 548.00 | 1,173.58 |
| 33 | Achanakmar | Chhattisgarh | 2009 | 626.19 | 287.82 | 914.02 |
| 34 | Kali | Karnataka | 2007 | 814.88 | 282.63 | 1,097.51 |
| 35 | Sanjay-Dubri | Madhya Pradesh | 2011 | 812.57 | 861.93 | 1,674.50 |
| 36 | Mudumalai | Tamil Nadu | 2007 | 321.00 | 367.59 | 688.59 |
| 37 | Nagarahole | Karnataka | 2007 | 643.35 | 562.41 | 1,205.76 |
| 38 | Parambikulam | Kerala | 2009 | 390.89 | 252.77 | 643.66 |
| 39 | Sahyadri | Maharashtra | 2012 | 600.12 | 565.45 | 1,165.57 |
| 40 | Biligiri Ranganatha Temple | Karnataka | 2007 | 359.10 | 215.72 | 574.82 |
| 41 | Kawal | Telangana | 2012 | 892.23 | 1,123.21 | 2,015.44 |
| 42 | Sathyamangalam | Tamil Nadu | 2013 | 793.49 | 614.91 | 1,408.40 |
| 43 | Mukundara Hills | Rajasthan | 2013 | 417.17 | 342.82 | 759.99 |
| 44 | Nawegaon-Nagzira | Maharashtra | 2013 | 653.67 | 1,241.27 | 1,894.94 |
| 45 | Amrabad | Telangana | 2015 | 2,166.37 | 445.02 | 2,611.39 |
| 46 | Pilibhit | Uttar Pradesh | 2014 | 602.79 | 127.45 | 730.25 |
| 47 | Bor | Maharashtra | 2014 | 138.12 | 678.15 | 816.27 |
| 48 | Rajaji | Uttarakhand | 2015 | 819.54 | 255.63 | 1,075.17 |
| 49 | Orang | Assam | 2016 | 79.28 | 413.18 | 492.46 |
| 50 | Kamlang | Arunachal Pradesh | 2017 | 671.00 | 112.00 | 783.00 |
| 51 | Srivilliputhur-Megamalai | Tamil Nadu | 2021 | 641.86 | 374.70 | 1,016.57 |
| 52 | Ramgarh Vishdhari | Rajasthan | 2022 | 481.91 | 1,019.98 | 1,501.89 |
| 53 | Ranipur | Uttar Pradesh | 2022 | 230.31 | 299.05 | 529.36 |
| 54 | Veerangana Durgavati | Madhya Pradesh | 2023 | 1,414.01 | 925.12 | 2,339.12 |
| 55 | Dholpur-Karauli | Rajasthan | 2023 | 599.64 | 458.24 | 1,057.88 |
| 56 | Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla | Chhattisgarh | 2024 | 2,049.23 | 780.16 | 2,829.39 |
| 57 | Ratapani | Madhya Pradesh | 2024 | 763.81 | 507.65 | 1,271.47 |
| 58 | Madhav | Madhya Pradesh | 2025 | 375.23 | 1,276.15 | 1,651.39 |
NTCA also lists the Amanagarh buffer (80.60 sq km, Uttar Pradesh, 2012) under Corbett. It is a buffer of Corbett, not a separate 59th tiger reserve, even though a few prep pages show it as "59 Amanagarh".
Newest Tiger Reserve in India 2026 (Latest Additions)
| Order | Tiger reserve | State | Year | Exam point |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 58th (newest) | Madhav | Madhya Pradesh (Shivpuri) | 2025 | MP's 9th reserve; NTCA total 1,651.39 sq km |
| 57th | Ratapani | Madhya Pradesh (Raisen-Sehore) | 2024 | Close to Bhopal; Bhimbetka rock shelters lie in this landscape |
| 56th | Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla | Chhattisgarh | 2024 | Third largest by total area (2,829.39 sq km) |
| 55th | Dholpur-Karauli | Rajasthan | 2023 | Rajasthan's 5th |
| 54th | Veerangana Durgavati | Madhya Pradesh | 2023 | Formed mainly from Nauradehi and Rani Durgavati sanctuaries |
| 53rd | Ranipur | Uttar Pradesh | 2022 | In Chitrakoot district, Bundelkhand |
| 52nd | Ramgarh Vishdhari | Rajasthan | 2022 | Links Ranthambore and Mukundara Hills |
No new tiger reserve has been added to the NTCA list between Madhav (2025) and 22 October 2026, so "58" is still the correct answer for 2026 papers.
Tiger Reserve News 2026 (Current Affairs)
| Date | News | Exam point |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Oct 2026 | Tigress T138 from Valmiki Tiger Reserve (Bihar) released into Buxa Tiger Reserve (West Bengal) | First phase of the Buxa tiger reintroduction programme; released by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav at the start of Wildlife Week 2026; more tigers are planned in phases |
| 2026 | All India Tiger Estimation (AITE), sixth cycle | Under way; the latest official figure is still 3,682 tigers (AITE 2022) |
| 2026 | NTCA count unchanged | 58 tiger reserves, about 84,487 sq km, roughly 2.56% of India's area (NTCA FAQ, updated September 2026) |
Likely question: "A tigress was translocated in October 2026 from which tiger reserve to Buxa?" Answer: Valmiki (Bihar). Buxa is in Alipurduar district, West Bengal.
Largest and Smallest Tiger Reserve in India
Questions ask "largest by area", "largest core" and sometimes "second largest". Use NTCA's figures, not memory.
| Rank (total area) | Tiger reserve | State | Total (sq km) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam | Andhra Pradesh | 3,296.31 |
| 2 | Manas | Assam | 2,837.10 |
| 3 | Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla | Chhattisgarh | 2,829.39 |
| 4 | Indravati | Chhattisgarh | 2,799.07 |
| 5 | Melghat | Maharashtra | 2,768.52 |
- Smallest by total area: Nameri, Assam (464 sq km), then Orang (492.46) and Ranipur (529.36).
- Smallest core (critical tiger habitat): Orang (79.28 sq km), then Bor (138.12 sq km). Older books call Bor the smallest; that is true only for core area among older lists, so read the question wording.
- Largest core: Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam (2,595.72 sq km), then Amrabad, Telangana (2,166.37 sq km).
Project Tiger and NTCA: Static GK for SSC CGL
| Point | Fact |
|---|---|
| Project Tiger launched | 1973, with 9 tiger reserves |
| The first 9 (1973-74 in NTCA table) | Bandipur, Corbett, Kanha, Manas, Melghat, Palamau, Ranthambore, Similipal, Sundarban |
| First national park (and first reserve in many lists) | Corbett (as Hailey National Park, 1936) |
| NTCA | Statutory body under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 (added by the 2006 amendment) |
| Chairperson of NTCA | Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change |
| Legal section for tiger reserves | Section 38V of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 |
| Two parts of a reserve | Core or critical tiger habitat + buffer (peripheral) area |
| Tiger census | All India Tiger Estimation (AITE), every 4 years; 2022 estimate 3,682; the sixth cycle (2026) is under way |
| Global Tiger Day | 29 July |
How to Remember Tiger Reserves State-Wise (Tricks)
- "9-6-5-5-5" for MP, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu.
- Two Penches: Pench exists in both Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, counted as two separate reserves.
- Assam's "MaNa KaO": Manas, Nameri, Kaziranga, Orang.
- Arunachal's "NaPaK": Namdapha, Pakke, Kamlang.
- Newest three are all central India: Guru Ghasidas (CG), Ratapani (MP), Madhav (MP).
- Andhra vs Telangana: Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam is listed under Andhra Pradesh; Amrabad and Kawal are Telangana's.
Common Mistakes in Tiger Reserve Questions
- Writing 53 or 55 from 2023 books. The 2026 answer is 58.
- Counting Amanagarh as the 59th. It is Corbett's buffer.
- Calling Ratapani the newest. It is 57th; Madhav (March 2025) is newest.
- Confusing tiger reserves (58) with biosphere reserves (18) or Ramsar sites. Different laws, different lists.
- Saying Karnataka has the most reserves. Karnataka has 5; Madhya Pradesh has 9.
Tiger Reserves Questions with Answers (Practice Set)
- How many tiger reserves are there in India as of 2026? Answer: 58. Madhav (MP) became the 58th in March 2025.
- Which is the newest tiger reserve in India? Answer: Madhav Tiger Reserve, Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh.
- Which state has the highest number of tiger reserves? Answer: Madhya Pradesh (9).
- Which is the largest tiger reserve by area? Answer: Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh (3,296.31 sq km).
- Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve is in which state? Answer: Chhattisgarh. It is the 56th reserve.
- Under which section of the Wild Life (Protection) Act are tiger reserves notified? Answer: Section 38V.
- Who chairs the NTCA? Answer: the Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
- How many tiger reserves does Maharashtra have? Answer: 6 (Melghat, Tadoba-Andhari, Pench, Sahyadri, Nawegaon-Nagzira, Bor).
- Dholpur-Karauli Tiger Reserve is in which state? Answer: Rajasthan.
- Kamlang Tiger Reserve is in which state? Answer: Arunachal Pradesh.
Practise mixed static GK in the SSC CGL General Awareness Sectional Mock Test 01 and SSC CHSL General Awareness Sectional Mock Test 01.
Tiger Reserves in India FAQs
How many tiger reserves are there in India in 2026?
58, across 18 states, as per the NTCA list checked on 22 October 2026.
Which tiger reserve got a tigress from Valmiki in 2026?
Buxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal. Tigress T138 from Bihar's Valmiki Tiger Reserve was released there on 2 October 2026 to restart its tiger population.
Which is the 58th tiger reserve of India?
Madhav Tiger Reserve in Shivpuri district, Madhya Pradesh, notified in March 2025.
Which state has the most tiger reserves in India?
Madhya Pradesh, with 9 tiger reserves. Maharashtra is second with 6.
Which is the largest tiger reserve in India?
Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve in Andhra Pradesh, with a total area of 3,296.31 sq km.
Which is the smallest tiger reserve in India?
By NTCA's total-area figures, Nameri in Assam (464 sq km). By core area alone, Orang in Assam (79.28 sq km) is the smallest.
When was Project Tiger launched?
In 1973, with 9 tiger reserves including Corbett, Kanha, Manas and Sundarban.
What is the tiger population of India?
The All India Tiger Estimation 2022 put it at 3,682. The 2026 estimation cycle is under way, so check for a new figure when it is released.
Practice Next
- Mock tests: SSC CGL General Awareness Sectional Mock Test 02 and SSC CHSL General Awareness Sectional Mock Test 02.
- Related notes: biosphere reserves in India 2026, UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India 2026, Ramsar sites in India 2026 list, Indian rivers origin and end list and national parks in India list 2026.
- More 2026 GK lists: India's rank in indices and reports 2026, defence exercises 2026 list and important summits and conferences 2026.
- Exam details: SSC CGL 2026.
- Browse all study notes.