Districts of West Bengal, Complete List, Formation Year & Population

Q: Which district has the highest population in West Bengal?

North 24 Parganas has the highest population among all districts, with over 10 million residents.

Q: What are the five administrative divisions of West Bengal?

The state is divided into Presidency, Jalpaiguri, Burdwan, Malda, and Medinipur divisions, each containing a group of districts.

Q: Which district is known for the Darjeeling hills and tea gardens?

The Darjeeling district in North Bengal is famous for its scenic hill stations and world-renowned Darjeeling tea.

Q: Which districts make up the Sundarbans region?

Primarily, South 24 Parganas and parts of North 24 Parganas form the Sundarbans delta, home to the Royal Bengal Tiger and vast mangrove forests.

Q: Which district is a major industrial hub in West Bengal?

Paschim Bardhaman and cities like Asansol and Durgapur, known for heavy industries, steel plants, and coal mining.

Table of Contents☰

West Bengal is a state in eastern India, which is divided into 23 districts, each playing a unique role in economic and administrative development. The formation of these districts has taken place over time due to political and administrative changes. Initially, during British rule, districts like Kolkata and Howrah were key centers. After independence, the need for better governance and regional development led to the creation of new districts by reorganizing larger ones. Today, these districts are grouped under five divisions: Presidency, Jalpaiguri, Burdwan, Malda, and Medinipur, each helping streamline state governance.

Districts of West Bengal

West Bengal is divided into five administrative divisions for better governance: Presidency, Jalpaiguri, Burdwan, Malda, and Midnapore. The Presidency Division includes urban districts like Kolkata and Howrah, which are the economic backbone of the state. Jalpaiguri Division is popular for its hill stations and tea gardens, similarly, Malda Division also focuses on agriculture, especially mango and jute farming. Burdwan Division is known for its industrial and mineral-rich area,s and lastly, Medinipur Division includes coastal and tribal regions, which are rich in culture and natural resources.

List of Districts of West Bengal

West Bengal was originally part of the Bengal Presidency under British rule. After India’s independence in 1947, Bengal was divided along religious lines, as East Bengal became East Pakistan, which is now known as Bangladesh now and West Bengal remained a part of India. Over the years, the state’s boundaries were adjusted, and till now, 23 districts have been formed to improve the administration of the state. Below we have shared a List of Districts of West Bengal, their year of formation, and population.

The List of Districts of West Bengal
S.No	District	Year of Formation	Population (2011 Census)
1	Alipurduar	2014	1,700,000
2	Bankura	1947	3,596,292
3	Birbhum	1947	3,502,404
4	Cooch Behar	1950	2,819,086
5	Dakshin Dinajpur	1956	1,676,276
6	Darjeeling	1947	1,846,823
7	Hooghly	1947	5,519,145
8	Howrah	1947	4,850,029
9	Jalpaiguri	1947	3,872,846
10	Jhargram	2017	1,136,548
11	Kalimpong	2017	202,239
12	Kolkata	1947	4,496,694
13	Malda	1947	3,988,845
14	Murshidabad	1947	7,103,807
15	Nadia	1947	5,167,600
16	North 24 Parganas	1947	10,009,781
17	Paschim Bardhaman	2017	2,882,031
18	Paschim Medinipur	1956	5,913,457
19	Purba Bardhaman	2017	4,835,432
20	Purba Medinipur	1956	5,095,875
21	Purulia	1947	2,930,115
22	South 24 Parganas	1947	8,161,961
23	Kolkata	1690	44,86,425

Largest District of West Bengal

South 24 Parganas is the Largest District in West Bengal by area, covering around 9,960 km². It lies to the south of Kolkata and is known for its unique mix of urban zones and rural villages. The district is rich in biodiversity and has a strong cultural presence with agriculture, and is especially known for the vast mangrove forests of the Sundarbans, which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making it one of the most ecologically and geographically diverse districts in the state.

Also Read: Chief Ministers of West Bengal

Smallest District of West Bengal

The Smallest District of West Bengal by area is Kolkata, covering around 185 km². As the state capital, Kolkata is a major urban center for the economic and political activities of West Bengal. Despite its small size, Kolkata is densely populated and is known for its rich history, colonial architecture, including its role in India’s independence movement. The city is also an important center for trade, commerce, and education in eastern India.