Districts of Sikkim, Updated List with Formation Date & Population

Q: Which district in Sikkim is best known for religious sites?

Namchi is well known for its religious sites, including the Char Dham pilgrimage center and the Samdruptse statue.

Q: Which district has the highest population in Sikkim?

Gangtok has the highest population among the six districts. It is the most developed region and also the economic and cultural heart of Sikkim.

Q: What is the significance of Mangan district?

Mangan is significant for its beautiful landscapes, remote Buddhist monasteries, and it serves as a gateway to the famous Lachen and Lachung villages.

Q: Which district is home to the first airport in Sikkim?

Pakyong is home to the first Greenfield Airport in Sikkim, which was inaugurated in 2018.

Q: Which district is known for its tea gardens in Sikkim?

Soreng is famous for its tea gardens, producing some of the finest organic tea in India. The district is known for its growing tea industry.

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Sikkim is a northeastern state in India, which became a part of India in 1975. The state shares borders with Nepal, Bhutan, and China. Gangtok is the capital city of Sikkim. Even though it is one of the smallest states in India, Sikkim is very special because it is clean, green, and India’s first organic farming state. Initially, Sikkim had only 4 districts, East, West, North, and South, but in 2021, the government made it into 6 districts to make managing the state easier.

Districts of Sikkim

Sikkim is divided into six districts to help manage the state better. Earlier, there were only four districts, but the state was further divided into 6 districts in 2021. Gangtok is the capital of the state, the most developed and crowded. Each district has its own specialty and plays a role in Sikkim’s unique identity, like Namchi and Gyalshing are known for their cultural and historical sites, while Pakyong has an airport, and Soreng is known for its green landscapes.

List of Districts of Sikkim

Sikkim now has six districts: Gangtok, Mangan, Namchi, Gyalshing, Pakyong, and Soreng; this new division happened in December 2021 to improve local administration and development. The newer districts, Pakyong and Soreng, were created from parts of the former East and West districts. Sikkim is popular for its spiritual aspects, as Namchi is a spiritual hub, home to the Char Dham and giant religious statues. Gyalshing is known for its old monasteries and historical sites like Rabdentse. Below we have shared a List of Districts in Sikkim, their year of formation, and population.

The List of Districts of Sikkim
Serial No.	District Name	Date of Formation	Population (2011)
1	Gangtok	21 December 2021	281,293
2	Mangan	21 December 2021	43,354
3	Namchi	21 December 2021	146,742
4	Gyalshing	21 December 2021	136,299
5	Pakyong	21 December 2021	74,583

Largest District of Sikkim

Mangan is the Largest District in Sikkim by area, covering around 4,226 km². Even though it covers a big portion of Sikkim’s land but has a low population because of its tough hilly terrain and cold weather. Mangan is known for its peaceful nature, scenic views, and Buddhist monasteries. It is also an important location for tourism and has popular spots like Lachen, Lachung, and Gurudongmar Lake, which attract visitors from all over India.

Also Read: Chief Ministers of Sikkim

Smallest District of Sikkim

The Smallest District in Sikkim is Soreng, which covers an area of about 1,073 km². It is located in the western part of the state, and despite its smaller size, Soreng has a growing population and is becoming a popular spot for tourism due to its natural beauty. The district is less developed compared to other parts of Sikkim, but it is home to some important areas, including the Rangit River.