Districts of Arunachal Pradesh, Updated List with Population & Year of Formation

Arunachal Pradesh is located in the northeastern corner of India, known for its stunning natural beauty, rich tribal heritage, and cultural diversity. The state shares its borders with Bhutan, China, and Myanmar. It is home to various ethnic communities, each with its own language, customs, and traditions. Arunachal Pradesh has been divided into 28 districts. The new districts were created over the years, and many of them were established by separating a proportion from the old ones. Each district has its unique identity, culture, and geographical features, contributing to the state’s remarkable diversity.

Districts of Arunachal Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh is administratively divided into 28 districts. In the early years after independence, the region (then part of the North-East Frontier Agency) had very few districts. With a growing population and the need for more localized governance, new districts were gradually carved out of the existing ones. Some of the oldest districts include Tirap, Lohit, and West Kameng, which were formed in the 1960s and 1980s. These regions are known for their traditional tribal customs. Then, a few newer districts such as Kamle, Lepa Rada, and Shi-Yomi were created after 2017 to improve administrative efficiency in remote areas. Newer districts like Bichom and Keyi Panyor were formed in 2024 to meet the administrative needs of local communities. 

Also Read: Districts of West Bengal

List of Districts of Arunachal Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh, with its vast mountains, deep valleys, and rich tribal cultures, is divided into 28 districts. Each district in Arunachal Pradesh has its own unique features. The snow-laden highlands of Tawang are known for their famous Monastery, and the Changlang and Anjaw districts are popular for their forested valleys. These districts vary widely in geography, culture, and population, making each one unique in its own way. We have shared the table below, which includes the List of Districts of Arunachal Pradesh with their year of formation and population.                       

NOTE: Itanagar is the 28th District and The Capital of Arunachal Pradesh

Largest District of Arunachal Pradesh 

Dibang Valley is the Largest District of Arunachal Pradesh by area, covering about 9,129 square kilometers. It’s located in the northeastern part of the state. It shares a border with China, but despite its vast size, the district has a very low population, making it one of the least densely populated areas in the country. The region is mainly inhabited by the Idu Mishmi tribe, and  Dibang Valley remains a unique and ecologically significant part of Arunachal Pradesh.

Also Read: Districts of Jammu & Kashmir

Smallest District of Arunachal Pradesh 

Tawang is the Smallest District of Arunachal Pradesh by area, covering around 2,172 square kilometers. Located in the western part of the state, it shares borders with Bhutan and China.  The district is famous for the Tawang Monastery, a significant center of Tibetan Buddhism and one of the largest monasteries in India. Despite its small size, Tawang holds great cultural and strategic importance in the region.