West Bengal, also called Poshchim Bongo, is a lively state in eastern India by the Bay of Bengal. It covers 88,752 km² and has about 91 million people. This makes it the thirteenth largest state by size and the fourth most populated. It shares borders with Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. Kolkata, the capital city, is known as the “City of Joy.” It is the third-largest metro area and the seventh most populated city in India. Kolkata also has the sixth largest economy among Indian states.
West Bengal is full of culture, history, and variety. The state is split into districts, each with its own special traits and importance. This article will look at the different districts of West Bengal, their sizes, populations, and why they are important to the state.
West Bengal Districts– Administrative Divisions
West Bengal is divided into many districts for better management and administration. These districts are grouped into larger divisions. This helps in efficient use of resources, policy implementation, and coordination among government departments. Each division has several districts, each with unique features and administrative importance.
West Bengal Districts – Administrative Divisions | |||||
Presidency Division |
Burdwan Division |
Medinipur Division |
Malda Division |
Jalpaiguri Division |
|
List of Districts |
Kolkata |
Paschim Bardhaman |
Purba Medinipur |
Malda |
Jalpaiguri |
Howrah |
Purba Bardhaman |
Paschim Medinipur |
Murshidabad |
Alipurduar |
|
North 24 Parganas |
Hoogly |
Bankura |
Uttar Dinajpur |
Cooch Behar |
|
South 24 Parganas |
Birbhum |
Purulia |
Dakshin Dinajpur |
Kalimpong |
|
Nadia |
Jhargram |
Darjeeling |
How Many Districts in West Bengal
As of 2024, West Bengal has 23 districts. These districts are grouped into several divisions to make managing them easier. Each district is different in size, population, and development, showing the state’s diverse landscape and people.
List of Districts in West Bengal by Their Size and Population
West Bengal has different districts that vary in size and population. These differences affect local government, resource distribution, and development plans. Knowing how districts are spread out by size and population helps us understand the state’s demographics and geography.
Here is a simple list of West Bengal’s districts based on their size and population:
List of Districts in West Bengal By Their Size and Population | |||
Sl. No |
Name of District |
Approx. Area |
Approx. Population |
1 |
Alipurduar |
3,383 km2 |
1,491,250 |
2 |
Bankura |
6,882 km2 |
3,596,674 |
3 |
Birbhum |
4,545 km2 |
3,502,404 |
4 |
Cooch Behar |
3,387 km2 |
2,819,086 |
5 |
Darjeeling |
2,093 km2 |
1,595,181 |
6 |
Dakshin Dinajpur |
2,219 km2 |
1,676,276 |
7 |
Hoogly |
3,149 km2 |
5,519,145 |
8 |
Howrah |
1,467 km2 |
4,850,029 |
9 |
Jalpaiguri |
2,844 km2 |
2,381,596 |
10 |
Jhargram |
3,038 km2 |
1,136,548 |
11 |
Kalimpong |
1,044 km2 |
251,642 |
12 |
Kolkata |
185 km2 |
4,496,694 |
13 |
Malda |
3,733 km2 |
3,988,845 |
14 |
Murshidabad |
5,324 km2 |
7,103,807 |
15 |
Nadia |
3,927 km2 |
5,167,601 |
16 |
North 24 Parganas |
4,094 km2 |
11,060,148 |
17 |
Paschim Bardhaman |
1,604 km2 |
2,882,031 |
18 |
Paschim Medinipur |
6,308 km2 |
4,776,909 |
19 |
Purba Bardhaman |
5,432 km2 |
4,835,532 |
20 |
Purba Medinipur |
4,736 km2 |
5,095,875 |
21 |
Purulia |
6,259 km2 |
2,930,115 |
22 |
South 24 Parganas |
9,960 km2 |
8,161,961 |
23 |
Uttar Dinajpur |
3,140 km2 |
3,007,134 |
West Bengal District Headquarters
The district headquarters in West Bengal are the main centers for administration. They have important government offices and district-level institutions. These headquarters are crucial for managing the district, providing public services, and organizing development activities in their areas.
West Bengal District’s Headquarters and Establishment Date | |||
Sl. No |
Name of District |
Name of Headquarter |
Date of Establishment |
1 |
Alipurduar |
Alipurduar |
2014 |
2 |
Bankura |
Bankura |
1947 |
3 |
Birbhum |
Suri |
1947 |
4 |
Cooch Behar |
Cooch Behar |
1950 |
5 |
Darjeeling |
Darjeeling |
1947 |
6 |
Dakshin Dinajpur |
Balurghat |
1992 |
7 |
Hoogly |
Chinsura |
1947 |
8 |
Howrah |
Howrah |
1947 |
9 |
Jalpaiguri |
Jalpaiguri |
1947 |
10 |
Jhargram |
Jhargram |
2017 |
11 |
Kalimpong |
Kalimpong |
2017 |
12 |
Kolkata |
Kolkata |
1947 |
13 |
Malda |
English Bazar |
1947 |
14 |
Murshidabad |
Baharampur |
1947 |
15 |
Nadia |
Krishnanagar |
1947 |
16 |
North 24 Parganas |
Barasat |
1986 |
17 |
Paschim Bardhaman |
Asansol |
2017 |
18 |
Paschim Medinipur |
Medinipur |
2002 |
19 |
Purba Bardhaman |
Bardhaman |
2017 |
20 |
Purba Medinipur |
Tamluk |
2002 |
21 |
Purulia |
Purulia |
1956 |
22 |
South 24 Parganas |
Alipore |
1986 |
23 |
Uttar Dinajpur |
Raiganj |
1992 |
List of West Bengal Districts and Their Importance
West Bengal is a state rich in history, culture, and diversity. It has many districts, and each one is special in its own way. From busy cities to quiet countryside, these districts play important roles in the state’s economy, culture, and governance.
List of Districts in West Bengal and Their Importance | ||
Sl. No |
Name of District |
Economic Significance |
1 |
Alipurduar |
|
2 |
Bankura |
|
3 |
Birbhum |
|
4 |
Cooch Behar |
|
5 |
Darjeeling |
|
6 |
Dakshin Dinajpur |
|
7 |
Hoogly |
|
8 |
Howrah |
|
9 |
Jalpaiguri |
|
10 |
Jhargram |
|
11 |
Kalimpong |
|
12 |
Kolkata |
|
13 |
Malda |
|
14 |
Murshidabad |
|
15 |
Nadia |
|
16 |
North 24 Parganas |
|
17 |
Paschim Bardhaman |
|
18 |
Paschim Medinipur |
|
19 |
Purba Bardhaman |
|
20 |
Purba Medinipur |
|
21 |
Purulia |
|
22 |
South 24 Parganas |
|
23 |
Uttar Dinajpur |
|
West Bengal New Districts
In August 1, 2022, the West Bengal Cabinet approved the creation of seven new districts in West Bengal. This increases the total number of districts from 23 to 30. The new districts and their areas are:
- Ichhamati and Basirhat districts, splitting from North 24 Parganas.
- Sundarban district, formed from parts of South 24 Parganas.
- Bishnupur district, separated from Bankura.
- Jangipur and Berhampore districts, divided from Murshidabad.
- Ranaghat district, created from segments of Nadia.
The Smallest District in West Bengal
Kolkata, the capital city of West Bengal, is the smallest district in terms of area. Despite being small, it is the most crowded and is very important for culture, business, and education in the state.
The Biggest District in West Bengal
The largest district in West Bengal, South 24 Parganas, covers a huge area that includes parts of the Sundarbans mangrove forest, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This district is very important because of its diverse plants and animals.
West Bengal FAQs
Is there 30 districts in West Bengal?
No, there are 23 districts in West Bengal.
What are the 24 district names of West Bengal?
West Bengal has 23 districts. Some of them are Kolkata, Darjeeling, Murshidabad, and Howrah.
Which is the 23rd district of West Bengal?
The 23rd district of West Bengal is Kalimpong.
How many districts are in West Bengal in 2024?
In 2024, there are 23 districts in West Bengal.
How many districts of West Bengal are there in 2024?
There are 23 districts in West Bengal in 2024.