Districts of India 2026, All State List, Total Numbers, Name

India comprises 28 states and 8 Union Territories which further subdivided into multiple districts. These Districts of India are the administrative divisions, facilitating governance, public administration, and the execution of government initiatives. The district is administered by a District Collector or District Magistrate. As of 2026, India has nearly 802 districts spread across its 28 states and 8 Union Territories. The number of districts has steadily increased over time due to administrative reorganization and population growth

What are Districts?

In India, a district serves as the administrative body within a state or Union Territory which is governed by a District Magistrate (DM) or District Collector who operates as a semi-autonomous body, overseeing the implementation of government policies, maintaining law and order, managing revenue collection, and developmental initiatives. To make the administration process smoother, districts are further divided into talukas, tehsils, or subdivisions.

How Many District of India 2026?

By the records of 2026, there are approximately 802 Districts of India, from which Uttar Pradesh has 75 districts, Madhya Pradesh consisting 57, Rajasthan includes 55 districts and Tamil Nadu with 38 districts.

‹ ›

List of Districts of India State Wise 2026

Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of districts in India, with a total population of 199,812,341. In contrast, Goa has the fewest districts, with just two, and a population of 1,458,545. The Districts of India Numbers 2026 has been tabulated below:

List of Districts in Union Territory 2026

Jammu and Kashmir has the highest number of districts among Union Territories, with a total of 20 and a population of 12,258,093. On the other hand, Lakshadweep has the fewest, comprising just one district with a population of 64,473.

Largest District in India 2026

Kutch district in Gujarat is the Largest District in India. It shares its northern and northwestern borders with Pakistan and its northeastern boundary with Rajasthan. Covering an area of 45,674 square kilometers, it accounts for 23.27% of Gujarat’s total geographical area.

Smallest District in India 2026

Mahe (8.69 km2) is one of the four districts of the Union Territory of Puducherry, covering the entire Mahe region. It holds the distinction of being the smallest district in India by area. Completely surrounded by the North Malabar region of Kerala, Mahe stands as an enclave within the state.

Most Populated District in India 2026

As per the Census 2011, Thane district in Maharashtra was the most populated District in India, with a population of 11,060,148. On the other hand, Dibang Valley in Arunachal Pradesh had the lowest population, with just 8,004 population. The most populous states in the country include Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Bihar. Below is a list of the top 10 Most Populated District in India as of December 19, 2023, based on provisional population estimates for Q2 FY 2023-24.

Least Populated District of India 2026

The Dibang Valley of Arunachal Pradesh is the Least Populated District of India as of 2026 with a population estimated to be 8,004 lakhs.

District Administration in India

District Administration is the basic unit of governance in India responsible for maintaining law and order, implementing government policies, delivering public services, and coordinating developmental activities at the district level.

• The District Collector/ District Magistrate (DM) is the chief administrative officer of the district.
• Acts as the link between the State Government and local administration.
• Responsible for maintaining law and order in coordination with the police administration.
• Oversees the implementation of government schemes and welfare programmes.
• Manages revenue administration, including land records and tax collection.
• Conducts and supervises elections within the district.
• Coordinates disaster management, relief, and rehabilitation activities.
• Monitors developmental projects related to health, education, agriculture, and infrastructure.
• Ensures effective delivery of public services to citizens.
• Works with Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Urban Local Bodies for local governance.
• The district is generally divided into sub-divisions, tehsils/taluks, blocks, and villages for administrative convenience.
• District Administration plays a crucial role in promoting good governance, public welfare, and socio-economic development.