With reference to the ancient Buddhist site of Sarnath, consider the following statements:
1. The Dhamek Stupa marks the exact spot where Gautama Buddha is believed to have delivered his first sermon.
2. The site was recently added to the UNESCO Tentative List in 2025.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Question

Accepted Answer

A. 1 only — Statement 1 is correct; the Dhamek Stupa is recognized as the location of the Dharmachakra Pravartana (first sermon). Statement 2 is incorrect; Sarnath has been on the UNESCO Tentative List since 1998 and was formally nominated for the World Heritage List in the 2025-26 cycle.

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