7 | Mapping the District Changes in recent years - 2011 to 2024

Since 2021, the creation of districts has  surged significantly. Between 2021 to February 2024, the number of districts in the country increased from 693 to an estimated 785. In  2022, the state of Andhra Pradesh alone doubled its number of districts, from 13 to 26 via an executive order. Andhra Pradesh is not the only example. In fact, various state governments in the name of ‘strengthening district administration’ have relied significantly on the creation of new districts in recent times. 

District changes summary - 2011 to 2024.

Southern States

Andhra Pradesh: In 2022, Andhra Pradesh underwent a major administrative restructuring, creating several new districts including Alluri Sitharama Raju, Anakapalli, Kakinada, and others from the bifurcation of existing ones like East Godavari, Visakhapatnam, and Vizianagaram. The state doubled its districts from 13 to 26.

Telangana: In 2016, Telangana expanded its districts from 10 to 33, creating many including Bhadradri Kothagudem, Jagtial, Mancherial, Medchal–Malkajgiri, and Yadadri Bhuvanagiri. This was one of the largest single-phase district creations in India’s history, taking the state from 10 districts to 31 in one go (eventually 33).

Karnataka: In 2020, Vijayanagara district was carved out of Ballari, fulfilling a longstanding demand. Several districts saw minor name modifications earlier, such as Bangalore Rural to Bengaluru Rural.

Tamil Nadu: Between 2019–2020, Kallakurichi, Chengalpattu, Ranipet, Tenkasi, Tirupathur, and Mayiladuthurai districts were created from splitting districts.

North Eastern States

Arunachal Pradesh: Between 2015–2020, the state created multiple districts including Kra Daadi, Lepa Rada, Kamle, Shi Yomi, and Pakke-Kessang by carving them out of larger districts to address the needs of remote tribal areas.

Assam: Between 2015–2023, following 8 new districts were created -  Majuli,South Salmara-Mankachar, Biswanath, Charaideo, Hojai, West Karbi Anglong, and Bajali. Majuli became India’s first river island district.

Manipur: In 2016, Manipur created 7 new districts including Kangpokpi, Kamjong, Noney, Pherzawl, Tengnoupal, and Jiribam.

Meghalaya: Eastern West Khasi Hills and South West Khasi Hills districts were carved from West Khasi Hills district. North Garo Hills was carved out from East Garo Hills district. Jaitia Hills was divided into two new districts of East and West Jaintia Hills.

Mizoram: Three new districts of Khawzawl, Saitual, and Hnahthial districts were carved out from Champhal, Aizwal and Lunglei districts respectively.

Nagaland: Tseminyu district was carved from Kohima, followed by Chümoukedima and Niuland districts from Dimapur. Noklak was created from Tuensang district.

Sikkim: Pakyong and Soreng were carved out of East and West districts respectively. North, South, East and West Sikkim districts were renamed to Mangan, Namchi, Gangtok and Gyalshing respectively.

Tripura: Four new districts were created in 2012 — Khowai, Sepahijala, Gomati, and Unakoti.

North West States

Rajasthan: A massive reorganisation in 2023 created 17 new districts including Anupgarh, Balotra, Beawar, and Jaipur Rural, plus the renaming of some districts to reflect regional identity. In 2023, Rajasthan increased the number of districts from 33 to 50. 

Gujarat: In 2013, Gujarat created new districts including Aravalli, Botad, Chhota Udepur, Devbhoomi Dwarka, Gir Somnath, Mahisagar, and Morbi.

Haryana: Charkhi Dadri became the newest district in 2016, carved out from Bhiwani.

Punjab: Malerkotla district was formed in 2021, fulfilling a long-pending minority community demand.

Northern States

Jammu & Kashmir / Ladakh: In 2019, Article 370 in the constitution was abrogated which provided special status to Jammu & Kashmir. The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act of 2019 divided the state into 2 divisions (union territories): Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. Leh and Kargil became part of Ladakh UT. In August 2024, the Ministry of Home Affairs(MHA) announced five new districts in the newly formed union territory of Ladakh, namely - Drass, Zanskar, Sham, Nubra and Changthang.  

Uttar Pradesh: Four new districts - Shamli, Hapur, Amethi, Sambhal, were created and other new districts were carved out from existing districts. Several districts such as Allahabad, Mahamaya Nagar, Faizbad, Jyotiba Phule Nagar, Kanshiram Nagar, Sant Ravidas Nagar, Panchsheel Nagar, Bhimnagar & Prabuddha Nagar were renamed to Prayagraj, Hathras, Ayodhya, Amroha, Kasganj, Bhadohi, Hapur, Sambhal and Shamli respectively.   

Central States

Chhattisgarh: Several new districts were created between 2012–2022 including Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi, Khairagarh-Chhuikhadan-Gandai, and Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki.

Jharkhand: Pashchimi Singhbhum and Purbi Singhbhum were renamed to West Singhbhum & East Singhbhum respectively.

Madhya Pradesh: Hoshangabad was renamed to Narmadapuram. Agar-Malwa and Niwari districts were carved out from existing ones.

Maharashtra: Palghar district was created in 2014 from Thane.

Eastern States

West Bengal: Jalpaiguri was created from Alipurduar district. Kalimpong became a district in 2017 and Jhargram in the same year, carved out from Darjiling and Paschim Medinapur respectively. Bardhaman was split into Paschim and Purba Bardhaman districts. 

Union Territories

Ladakh UT retained Leh and Kargil; Dadra & Nagar Haveli merged with Daman & Diu in 2020 into a single UT with no change in district count.

Reference

• Dasgupta. (2024, August 14). Why new districts? Examining India’s rapid district expansion and its effects. The Economic Times. 

  
  

• HT Correspondent. (2023, August 4). Rajasthan Govt Announces 17 New Districts, 3 New Divisions In State. Hindustan Times. 

  
  

• Jolad, S., & Kalra, M. (n.d.). What is in a name? Deccan Herald.

  
  

• Jolad, S., & Kalra, M. (2024, September 26). Why Indian Districts Are Not Equal. Dataviz.

  
  

• Kalra, M., & Jolad, S. (2024, August 31). Political Motives Trump Administrative Reasons: Tracing the History of District Creation in India. The Wire.