6 | District Evolution in Liberalization era: 1991 to 2011

Districts changes Between 1991 and 2001

The period from 1991 to 2001 saw the creation of numerous new districts across India, driven by a mix of administrative reorganization, statehood aspirations, regional demands, and the need to decentralize governance.

New States: Three new states created, taking the total number of States and Union Territories to 35.

• Uttaranchal: Formed by taking out nine northern hilly districts from former Uttar Pradesh.

• Jharkhand: Carved out by taking thirteen districts from southern part of former Bihar.

• Chhattisgarh: Created by taking out seven districts from eastern part of former Madhya Pradesh.

Increase in Districts: Total districts increased from 466 in 1991 to 593 in 2001 (127 new districts).

Arunachal Pradesh (1992-1994): Two new districts like Papum Pare, and Upper Siang, were created. Total 13 districts.

Assam: District boundaries remained unaffected in this period.

Bihar State: Number of districts reduced from 42 to 29 due to Jharkhand's creation. Eight new districts created: Sheohar, Supaul, Banka, Buxar, Kaimur (Bhabua) (from bifurcation of Sitamarhi, Saharsa, Bhagalpur, Bhojpur, Rohtas respectively); Jamui, Lakhisarai, Sheikhpura (from Munger). Total 37 districts.Bihar-Jharkhand (1991-1994): Five districts Pakaur, Bokaro, Chatra, Garhwa, and Kodarma were created to address tribal and regional aspirations in the area that later became Jharkhand in 2000. Total -18 districts at formation.

Delhi Union Territory: Uni-district in 1991, divided into nine districts: South, North, North East, East, Central, New Delhi, North West, West, South West.

Gujarat State: Six new districts: Porbandar, Anand, Dohad, Navsari (bifurcating old districts); Patan (from Mahesana & Banas Kantha); Narmada (from Bharuch & Vadodara). Total 25 districts.

Haryana State: Three new districts: Fatehabad, Panchkula, and Jhajjar. Total 19 districts.

Karnataka State: Seven new districts: Bagalkot, Koppal, Udupi, Chamarajanagar (bifurcating four old districts); Haveri and Gadag (from Dharwad); Davanagere (from Chitradurga, Shimoga, and Bellary). Total 27 districts.

Madhya Pradesh: Left with 38 districts after Chhattisgarh's formation. Seven new districts were added: Neemuch, Barwani, Sheopur, Harda, Katni, Umaria, Dindori. Total 45 districts.Madhya Pradesh-Chhattisgarh : Nine districts, including Dantewada, Dhamtari, Janjgir-Champa, Jashpur, Kanker, and Korba, were carved out in 1998 which went into the new state of Chhattisgarh in 2000.

Maharashtra State: Five new districts: Mumbai (Suburban) (from Greater Bombay), Washim (from Akola), Hingoli (from Parbhani), Gondiya (from Bhandara), Nandurbar (from Dhule). Total 35 districts.

Manipur: Imphal East created. Total increased by one.

Meghalaya: Two new districts: Ri Bhoi (from East Khasi Hills) and South Garo Hills (from West Garo Hills). Total seven districts.

Mizoram: Six new districts: Lawngtlai (from Chhimtuipui), Kolasib, Mamit, Champhai, and Serchhip (from Aizawl). Total eight districts. Chhimtuipui was renamed Saiha.

Nagaland: New Dimapur district formed by bifurcating Kohima. Total increased by one.

Orissa State: 17 new districts created (boundaries of nine old districts redrawn): Bhadrak, Nayagarh, Khordha, Jajapur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghapur, Bargarh, Jharsuguda, Debagarh, Anugul, Sonapur, Baudh, Nuapada, Rayagada, Nabarangapur, Malkangiri, and Gajapati. Total 30 districts.

Punjab State: Five new districts: Mansa (from Bathinda), Muktsar (from Faridkot), Moga (from Faridkot and Firozpur), Nawanshahr (from Hoshiarpur and Jalandhar), Fatehgarh Sahib (from Patiala, Ludhiana, and Rupnagar). Total 17 districts.

Rajasthan State: Five new districts: Rajsamand, Baran, Karauli, Hanumangarh, and Dausa between 1991-1997. Total 32 districts.

Tamil Nadu : Districts like Nagapattinam, Viluppuram, Karur, and Theni were created.

Tripura: Dhalai created. The total increased by one.

Uttar Pradesh: Nine districts transferred to Uttaranchal. Remaining 54 districts increased to 70 due to 16 new districts (Baghpat, Jyotiba Phule Nagar, Kannauj, Auraiya, Mahoba, Chitrakoot, Kaushambi, Kushinagar, Shrawasti, Balrampur, Chandauli, Sant Ravidas Nagar, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Hathras, Ambedkar Nagar, Sant Kabir Nagar).

Uttaranchal: Composed of 13 districts at partition of Uttarkhand: 9 old and 4 newly created districts (Udham Singh Nagar, Bageshwar, Champawat, Rudraprayag) between 1995-1997.

West Bengal: New Dakshin Dinajpur created from Uttar Dinajpur. Total 18 districts. The bifurcation of West Dinajpur into Dakshin Dinajpur and Uttar Dinajpur.

Districts changes between 2001 to 2011

The decade between 2001 and 2011 witnessed the creation of numerous districts across India. This period reflects efforts to reorganize governance structures at a granular level. Below is an analysis of the observed transitions:

Arunachal Pradesh (2001-2004): Districts like Kurung Kumey, Lower Dibang Valley, and Anjaw were carved out of existing districts such as Lower Subansiri and Lohit.

Chhattisgarh (2007): Three districts—Bijapur, Dakshin Bastar Dantewada, and Narayanpur—were created from larger districts in the tribal-dominated Bastar region.

Jharkhand (2001-2007): Six new districts, including Jamtara, Latehar, Saraikela-kharsawan, Simdega, Khunti, and Ramgarh, were created from existing districts.

Delhi (2006): Nine new districts, including Central, East, New Delhi, and North East were created in India’s capital.

Tamil Nadu (2004-2009): Krishnagiri (from Dharmapuri) and Tiruppur (from Erode and Coimbatore) were established.

Karnataka (2007-2009):Districts like Chikkaballapura, Ramanagara, and Yadgir were created.

Punjab (2006): New districts such as Barnala, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, and Tarn Taran were created from larger districts.

Nagaland (2004): The division of Tuensang led to the creation of Kiphire, Longleng, and Peren.

West Bengal (2002): Medinipur was bifurcated into Paschim Medinipur and Purba Medinipur.

Rajasthan (2008): Pratapgarh was carved out of Chittaurgarh.

Madhya Pradesh (2003): Six new districts, including Alirajpur, Annupur, Ashoknagar, and Singrauli, were created from larger districts.

Reference

• Government of India. (2011). Indian Administrative Atlas 1872-2011: Census of India 2011. Registrar General of India and Census Commissioner.

  
  

• Singh, R. P., Banthia, J. K., & Commissioner I. O. of R.G. & C. (2004). India Administrative Atlas, 1872-2001: A Historical Perspective Of Evolution Of Districts And States In India. Registrar General of India.