List of National Parks in India: State-wise Guide for UPSC, SSC & Banking Exams

India has 107 national parks covering approximately 44,403 sq km (1.35% of the country's geographical area) under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. These protected areas are crucial for conserving India's rich biodiversity and feature prominently in competitive exams.

Key Facts for Exams

  • First National Park: Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand (established 1936 as Hailey National Park)
  • Largest National Park: Hemis National Park, Ladakh (4,400 sq km) – habitat of snow leopards
  • Smallest National Park: South Button Island National Park, Andaman & Nicobar Islands
  • Newest National Parks: Navegaon-Nagzira (Maharashtra, 106th) and Similipal (Odisha, 107th declared in 2025)
  • UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Kaziranga, Sundarbans, Manas, Keoladeo, Nanda Devi, Great Himalayan, Khangchendzonga, and Western Ghats cluster parks

Must-Know National Parks State-wise (Exam Focus)

Uttarakhand: Jim Corbett (India's first), Valley of Flowers, Nanda Devi, Gangotri, Rajaji

Rajasthan: Ranthambore (tigers), Sariska Tiger Reserve, Keoladeo Ghana (Bharatpur – UNESCO World Heritage Site), Desert National Park (2nd largest in India)

Assam: Kaziranga (one-horned rhinoceros – UNESCO site), Manas (UNESCO site), Orang, Dibru-Saikhowa, Nameri, Dihing Patkai (declared 2021)

Madhya Pradesh: Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Pench, Panna, Satpura, Sanjay-Dubri – state with highest tiger population

West Bengal: Sundarbans National Park (largest mangrove forest, Royal Bengal Tigers – UNESCO site)

Gujarat: Gir National Park (only natural habitat of Asiatic lions), Vansda, Blackbuck National Park (Velavadar)

Karnataka: Bandipur, Nagarhole (Rajiv Gandhi), Bannerghatta – part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve

Maharashtra: Tadoba-Andhari (popular tiger reserve), Sanjay Gandhi (Borivali), Navegaon-Nagzira (106th NP)

Ladakh: Hemis National Park (largest in India), Changthang

Andaman & Nicobar Islands: 9 national parks including Campbell Bay, Mahatma Gandhi Marine, Mount Harriet, and South Button Island

Kerala: Periyar (elephants), Silent Valley (evergreen rainforest), Eravikulam

Himachal Pradesh: Great Himalayan National Park (UNESCO site), Pin Valley, Inderkilla

Odisha: Similipal (107th NP, declared 2025), Bhitarkanika (mangroves & saltwater crocodiles)

Top 10 High-Yield Parks for Competitive Exams

  • Kaziranga NP – One-horned rhinoceros (Assam)
  • Gir NP – Asiatic lion (Gujarat)
  • Sundarbans NP – Royal Bengal Tiger & mangroves (West Bengal)
  • Jim Corbett NP – First national park of India (Uttarakhand)
  • Keoladeo NP – Bird sanctuary, UNESCO site (Rajasthan)
  • Ranthambore NP – Tigers in historical fort setting (Rajasthan)
  • Hemis NP – Largest NP, snow leopard habitat (Ladakh)
  • Great Himalayan NP – Western Himalayas biodiversity (Himachal Pradesh)
  • Periyar NP – Elephant reserve (Kerala)
  • Manas NP – UNESCO site, golden langur habitat (Assam)

Important Distinctions for Exams

  • National Park vs Wildlife Sanctuary: Human activity completely prohibited in NPs; limited activities permitted in sanctuaries
  • Tiger Reserves: Many national parks also function as Tiger Reserves under Project Tiger (53 reserves as of 2024)
  • Biosphere Reserves: Some NPs form core areas of larger Biosphere Reserves (e.g., Nilgiri, Sundarbans)

Note for Aspirants: While India has 107 national parks total, competitive exams focus on parks with UNESCO status, endemic/endangered species, tiger reserves, and recent additions. Memorize state-wise distribution of 15-20 major parks rather than attempting to learn all 107 names. Focus on unique features (e.g., Gir for lions, Kaziranga for rhinos) for MCQ-based questions.