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Deepavali Added To UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List (2025): A Glowing Global Recognition For India’s Festival Of Lights
December 10–11, 2025 | Culture & Heritage | UNESCO ICH | Important For UPSC, SSC, Banking & State Exams
By Culture & Exams Correspondent
Art, Culture, UNESCO & Current Affairs Specialist
Focus: Art & culture, UNESCO lists, heritage conservation, exam-oriented analysis
In a historic decision, Deepavali (Diwali) has been inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity during the 20th Intergovernmental Committee session at Delhi’s Red Fort, making it the 16th Indian element on this prestigious list[web:127][web:129][web:130][web:138].
The announcement was made on 10 December 2025, when UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage adopted India’s nomination “Deepavali, the festival of light” at its 20th session in New Delhi[web:130][web:135]. With this inscription, Deepavali now joins celebrated Indian traditions such as Durga Puja of Kolkata, Kumbh Mela, Garba, Yoga, Vedic chanting, Ramlila and Kutiyattam on the global heritage map[web:127][web:133][web:134].
According to the Ministry of Culture and UNESCO, the recognition highlights Deepavali’s multi-religious, multi-regional character and its role in promoting social cohesion, inter-generational continuity, and shared values of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair[web:128][web:130][web:134][web:136]. The decision was welcomed with applause and chants of “Vande Mataram” and “Bharat Mata ki Jai” at the Red Fort venue, underscoring the emotional significance of this moment for India[web:136][web:145].
According to the Ministry of Culture and UNESCO, the recognition highlights Deepavali’s multi-religious, multi-regional character and its role in promoting social cohesion, inter-generational continuity, and shared values of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair[web:128][web:130][web:134][web:136]. The decision was welcomed with applause and chants of “Vande Mataram” and “Bharat Mata ki Jai” at the Red Fort venue, underscoring the emotional significance of this moment for India[web:136][web:145].
What Exactly Did UNESCO Recognise?
πͺ Deepavali As Intangible Cultural Heritage
- List Name: UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity[web:127][web:130][web:140].
- Element Title: “Deepavali, the festival of light” (also widely known as Diwali)[web:130][web:140].
- Year & Session: Inscribed in 2025 at the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee, hosted at Red Fort, New Delhi[web:129][web:130][web:138].
- UNESCO’s Focus: Living practices such as lighting diyas, rangoli/kolam, bhajans, folk performances, community feasts, temple rituals and family gatherings that reinforce shared identities[web:130][web:140][web:131].
π Why Deepavali Qualifies As Intangible Heritage
- It is a community-driven, living tradition continuously recreated in homes, temples and public spaces across India and the global diaspora[web:130][web:133][web:140].
- It involves a rich ensemble of practices: oil-lamp lighting, fireworks (in regulated forms), gift exchange, storytelling of Ramayana and other legends, folk songs, craft traditions, sweets preparation and community charity[web:131][web:136][web:140].
- It promotes inter-generational transmission of values through family rituals, oral traditions and local customs[web:130][web:133][web:140].
- Its observance by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and some Buddhist communities reflects pluralism and shared cultural space[web:135][web:140].
π Key Static Fact For Exams
- Deepavali becomes the 16th Indian element on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, after elements such as Durga Puja (2021), Kumbh Mela (2017), Yoga, Garba, Kalbelia, Vedic chanting, Ramlila, Kutiyattam and traditional brass/copper utensil-making of Thatheras (Punjab)[web:127][web:133][web:134][web:141].
Cultural, Spiritual & Social Significance Highlighted
✨ Symbolism: Light Over Darkness, Good Over Evil
- Deepavali symbolises the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance, expressed through lighting rows of diyas and lamps in homes, streets and temples[web:129][web:136][web:135].
- Different regions associate it with different legends—such as return of Rama to Ayodhya, worship of Lakshmi, celebration of Krishna’s exploits, or Jain and Sikh religious events—showing its layered spiritual meaning[web:133][web:135][web:140].
π¨π©π§π¦ Social Cohesion & Community Bonding
- The festival strengthens family and community bonds through collective cleaning of homes, decorating spaces, exchanging sweets and gifts, and organising community feasts and melas[web:131][web:132][web:136].
- UNESCO’s evaluation emphasised how Deepavali encourages charity, inclusion of the poor, visits to neighbours, and diasporic celebrations, thereby enhancing social solidarity across regions and borders[web:130][web:131][web:140].
π¨ Protection Of Traditional Arts & Crafts
- The inscription indirectly supports safeguarding of associated traditions like rangoli/kolam, diya-making, terracotta craft, traditional sweet-making, folk music, bhajan evenings and temple rituals[web:127][web:131][web:140].
- It also draws global attention to eco-friendly practices and locally sustainable materials used in decorations and offerings[web:131][web:132].
India’s Global Cultural Presence & Government Reactions
Official Statements & International Context
- The Ministry of Culture hailed the inscription as a “glowing recognition” of India’s civilisational heritage and of Deepavali’s role in sustaining living cultural traditions[web:128][web:134][web:142].
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed UNESCO’s decision as a matter of pride, stressing that it strengthens India’s cultural soft power and global image[web:134][web:136][web:143].
- The UNESCO session also listed 19 other global traditions, including elements from countries like Bangladesh (e.g., Tangail saree weaving) and others, reinforcing the idea of a shared global heritage family[web:127][web:131][web:133].
Why This Matters For India’s Soft Power
- Deepavali’s presence on the UNESCO list enhances India’s cultural diplomacy, supporting tourism, diaspora identity and creative industries around the festival[web:131][web:132][web:137].
- It reinforces the narrative of India as a nation of living, inclusive, and diverse traditions, giving policymakers more leverage in cultural forums and multilateral discussions[web:128][web:133][web:141].
UPSC, Banking, SSC & State Exams: High-Value Points
Static + Current Affairs Digest
- Body: UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage[web:130][web:140].
- Convention: 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage[web:133][web:141].
- List Type: Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (not World Heritage Sites list)[web:127][web:130].
- Location of 2025 Session: Red Fort, New Delhi (India as host country)[web:129][web:130][web:138].
- India’s Count: Deepavali is the 16th Indian element on this list[web:127][web:133][web:134].
Possible Prelims / Objective Questions
- In 2025, “Deepavali, the festival of light” was inscribed on which UNESCO list? (A) World Heritage Sites (B) Memory of the World Register (C) Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (D) Man and Biosphere List
- Deepavali became which number Indian element on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list? (A) 10th (B) 12th (C) 16th (D) 20th
- The 2025 UNESCO session that inscribed Deepavali was hosted at: (A) UNESCO HQ, Paris (B) Red Fort, New Delhi (C) Geneva (D) Vienna
Mains / Descriptive Practice
- “Inscription of Deepavali on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list goes beyond symbolism and has concrete cultural and policy implications.” Discuss.
- Explain the significance of intangible cultural heritage in safeguarding living traditions. Illustrate with examples from India’s entries on the UNESCO list.
π Key Takeaways For Exam Aspirants:
- Deepavali inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2025[web:127][web:130].
- Decision taken at the 20th ICH Committee session at Red Fort, New Delhi[web:129][web:138].
- Deepavali is the 16th Indian element on this list[web:127][web:133][web:134].
- Recognition emphasises its cultural, spiritual, and social roles and associated traditions like rangoli, diya-making, folk music and rituals[web:127][web:131][web:140].
- Important synergy topic: Culture + Soft Power + Tourism + Diaspora for GS‑1, GS‑2 and essay papers[web:131][web:132][web:137].
— End of Report —
Sources:
- UNESCO ICH portal, official element page for “Deepavali”[web:130][web:140].
- PIB press releases & Ministry of Culture statements on Deepavali inscription[web:128][web:134][web:142].
- Indian news outlets & exam-oriented analyses: Indian Express, DD News, AIR, ABP, Outlook, GKToday, Adda247, Vajiram notes[web:127][web:129][web:131][web:132][web:133][web:134][web:141][web:143].
