View source for List of districts of Karnataka

{{Short description|none}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2020}}

{{Infobox subdivision type
| name = Districts of Karnataka
| map = Karnataka districts map.svg
| category = Districts
| territory = [[Karnataka]]
| start_date = 
| current_number = 31 districts
| number_date = 
| population_range = [[Kodagu district|Kodagu]] – 554,519 (lowest); [[Bengaluru Urban district|Bengaluru Urban]] –  9,621,551 (highest)
| area_range = [[Bengaluru Urban district|Bengaluru Urban]] – {{Convert|2190|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} (smallest); [[Belagavi district|Belagavi]] – {{Convert|13415|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} (largest)
| government = [[Government of Karnataka]]
| subdivision = [[List of taluks of Karnataka]]
| caption = Districts of Karnataka
}}The [[South India|southern Indian]] [[States and union territories of India|state]] of [[Karnataka]] consists of 31 [[districts in India|districts]] grouped into 4 administrative divisions, ''viz''., [[Belagavi division|Belagavi]], [[Bengaluru division|Bengaluru
]], [[Kalaburagi division|Gulbarga]], and [[Mysore division|Mysore]]. Geographically, the state has three principal variants: the western [[Kanara|coastal stretch]], the [[Malenadu|hilly belt]] comprising the [[Western Ghats]], and the [[Bayaluseeme|plains]], comprising the plains of the [[Deccan Plateau]].
[[File:India Karnataka location map.png|thumb|4 Divisions and 31 Districts of Indian state of Karnataka.]]

==History==
[[File:Karnataka 1956 Reorg.svg|thumb|[[Mysore State]] that was created during States Reorganisation of 1956.]]
{{main|History of Karnataka|Unification of Karnataka}}
Karnataka took its present shape in 1956, when the former states of [[Mysore State|Mysore]] and [[Coorg State|Coorg]] were [[Unification of Karnataka|unified]] into a linguistically homogenous [[Kannada]]-speaking state along with agglomeration of districts of the former states of [[Bombay State|Bombay]], [[Hyderabad State|Hyderabad]], and [[Madras State|Madras]] as part of the [[States Reorganisation Act, 1956|States Reorganisation Act of 1956]]. The unified Mysore State was made up of ten districts, ''viz''., [[Bangalore district|Bangalore]], [[Kolar district|Kolar]], [[Tumkur district|Tumkur]], [[Mandya district|Mandya]], [[Mysore district|Mysore]], [[Hassan district|Hassan]], [[Chikmagalur district|Chikkamagalur]], [[Shimoga district|Shimoga]], [[Chitradurga district|Chitradurga]], and [[Ballari district|Ballari]] which had been transferred from Madras Presidency to Mysore State earlier in 1953, when the new state of [[Andhra Pradesh]] was created out of Madras' northern districts.<ref>{{cite news|title=Petition against transfer of Bellary dismissed|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=TgJFAAAAIBAJ&amp;dq=bellary%20district%20madras&amp;pg=6922%2C6087026|access-date=17 December 2010|newspaper=Indian Express|date=30 September 1953}}</ref> [[Coorg State]] became [[Kodagu district]],<ref>{{cite news|last=Chinnappa|first=Jeevan |title=Did reorganisation panel ignore Kodava leaders' plea?|url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/11/15/stories/2005111510700300.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061212010817/http://www.hindu.com/2005/11/15/stories/2005111510700300.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 December 2006|access-date=17 December 2010|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=15 November 2005}}</ref> [[Dakshina Kannada|South Canara]] was transferred from Madras State, [[Uttara Kannada|North Canara]], [[Dharwad district|Dharwad]], [[Belagavi District|Belgaum]], and [[Vijayapura district|Bijapur]] from Bombay State. [[Bidar district|Bidar]], [[Kalaburagi district|Gulbarga]], and [[Raichur district|Raichur]] from Hyderabad State. The state received its new name of [[Karnataka]] in the year 1973.

=== Formations of districts ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Chronology of formation of new districts
!Date
!New district
!Formerly part of
!Administration
|-
| rowspan="2" |15 August 1986
|[[Bengaluru Urban district|Bengaluru Urban]]
| rowspan="2" |[[Bangalore district|Bengaluru]]
| rowspan="2" |[[Second Hegde ministry|Ramakrishna Hegde's ministry]]
|-
|[[Bengaluru Rural district|Bengaluru Rural]]
|-
| rowspan="6" |25 August 1997
|[[Chamarajanagar district|Chamarajanagara]]
|[[Mysuru district|Mysuru]]
| rowspan="6" |[[J. H. Patel ministry|J. H. Patel's ministry]]
|-
|[[Davanagere district|Davanagere]]
|[[Chitradurga district|Chitradurga]], [[Ballari district|Ballari]] and [[Shivamogga district|Shivamogga]]
|-
|[[Bagalkot district|Bagalakote]]
|[[Vijayapura district, Karnataka|Vijayapura]]
|-
|[[Gadag district|Gadaga]]
|[[Dharwad district|Dharwad]]
|-
|[[Udupi district|Udupi]]
|[[Dakshina Kannada]]
|-
|[[Koppal district|Koppala]]
|[[Raichur district|Raichur]]
|-
| rowspan="2" |21 June 2007
|[[Ramanagara district|Ramanagara]]
|[[Bengaluru Rural District|Bengaluru Rural]]
| rowspan="2" |[[First Kumaraswamy ministry|H.D. Kumaraswamy's ministry]]<ref name="newdis">{{cite news |date=6 August 2007 |title=2 new districts notified in Bangalore |work=[[The Times of India]] |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/2-new-districts-notified-in-Bangalore/articleshow/2258093.cms |url-status=live |access-date=2007-08-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811134957/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2007-08-06/bangalore/27961491_1_new-districts-ramanagaram-taluks |archive-date=11 August 2011}}</ref>
|-
|[[Chikkaballapura district|Chikkaballapura]]
|[[Kolar District|Kolar]]
|-
|30 December 2009
|[[Yadagiri district|Yadagiri]]<ref name="newdistrict">{{cite news |date=30 December 2009 |title=Creation of Yadgir district |work=Online Edition of The Hindu, dated 2009-12-30 |location=Chennai, India |url=http://www.hindu.com/2009/12/30/stories/2009123051050300.htm}}</ref>
|[[Kalaburagi district|Kalaburagi]]
|[[Second Yediyurappa ministry|B.S. Yediyurappa's second ministry]]
|-
|18 November 2020
|[[Vijayanagara district|Vijayanagara]]<ref name="newdistric">{{cite news |date=19 November 2020 |title=Vijayanagar to be Karnataka's 31st district, BSY Cabinet gives in-principle nod |work=The New Indian Express |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2020/nov/19/vijayanagar-to-be-karnatakas-31st-district-bsy-cabinet-gives-in-principle-nod-2225175.html |access-date=23 November 2020}}</ref>
|[[Bellary district|Ballari]]
|[[Fourth Yediyurappa ministry|B.S. Yediyurappa's fourth ministry]]
|}

==Administrative structure==
[[File:India Karnataka Divisions map.png|thumb|4 Divisions of Indian State of Karnataka.]]
[[File:India Karnataka location map.png|thumb|31 Districts of Indian state of Karnataka.]]

=== District administration ===
A district of an Indian state is an administrative geographical unit, headed by a [[District magistrate|Deputy Commissioner]] (DC), an officer belonging to the [[Indian Administrative Service]] (IAS). The Deputy Commissioner reports to the [[Divisional commissioner|Regional Commissioner]]. The Deputy Commissioner is also the [[District collector|Collector]] and [[District magistrate|District Magistrate]] of the district. The Deputy Commissioner is assisted by an Additional Deputy Commissioner at the district headquarters. The deputy commissioner is assisted by a number of officers belonging to the [[Karnataka Administrative Service]].  The  deputy commissioner/collector is assisted by assistant commissioners and tahsildars, who are incharge of [[Revenue division|subdivisions]] and [[List of taluks of Karnataka|taluks]] respectively. The district (''revenue district'') is divided into subdivisions. Each subdivision consists of several talukas under its administrative purview. Each subdivision is headed by a [[Sub-divisional magistrate|Sub-Divisional Officer]] (SDO), who holds the designation of Assistant Commissioner and Sub-Divisional Magistrate. Each taluka is headed by a [[Tehsildar|Tahsildar]]. These subdivisions and talukas are established for land revenue and land administration purposes. Each taluk contains [[hobli]] and villages, headed by Revenue Inspectors and Village Accountants respectively.

=== Police administration ===
A [[Superintendent of Police (India)|Superintendent of Police (SP)]], usually an officer belonging to the [[Indian Police Service]] (IPS), is entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining law and order and related issues of the district. He is assisted by the officers of the Karnataka Police Service and other Karnataka Police officials. Big cities like [[Bengaluru]], [[Belagavi]], [[Hubballi-Dharwad]], [[Kalaburagi]], [[Mangalore|Mangaluru]] and [[Mysuru]] are headed by a [[Commissioner of Police]] holding the rank of Additional Director General of Police(ADGP) for Bengaluru, Inspector General of Police (IGP) for Mysuru and Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) for Belagavi, Hubballi-Dharwad, Kalaburagi and Mangaluru. They are assisted by officers belonging to the [[Karnataka Police Service]] (KSPS).

=== Forest ===
A Deputy Conservator of Forests, an officer belonging to the [[Indian Forest Service]] selected through the [[Union Public Service Commission|UPSC]] examination is responsible for managing the forests, the environment and wildlife of the district. He is assisted by the officers of the Karnataka Forest Service selected through the [[Karnataka Public Service Commission|KPSC]] examination.

=== Other department ===
Sectoral development is looked after by the district head of each development department such as Public Works, Health, Education, Agriculture, Animal husbandry, etc. These officers belong to the various state services.

===Administrative divisions===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: left;"
|-
! [[Belagavi division|Belagavi Division]]!! [[Bangalore division|Bengaluru Division]]!! [[Kalaburagi division|Kalaburagi Division]]!! [[Mysore division|Mysuru Division]]
|-
|style="vertical-align:top;"|
* [[Belagavi District|Belagavi (Headquarters)]]
* [[Bagalkote district|Bagalkote]]
* [[Dharwad district|Dharwada]]
* [[Gadag district|Gadaga]]
* [[Haveri district|Haveri]]
* [[Uttara Kannada|Uttara Kannada (Karavara)]]
* [[Vijayapura district|Vijayapura]]
|style="vertical-align:top;"|
* [[Bengaluru Urban district|Bengaluru Urban (Headquarters)]]
* [[Bengaluru North District|Bengaluru North (Doddaballapura)]]
* [[Bengaluru South District|Bengaluru South (Ramanagara)]]
* [[Chikkaballapura district|Chikkaballapura]]
* [[Chitradurga district|Chitradurga]]
* [[Davanagere district|Davanagere]]
* [[Kolar district|Kolar]]
* [[Shivamogga district|Shivamogga]]
* [[Tumakuru district|Tumakuru]]
|style="vertical-align:top;"|
* [[Kalaburagi district|Kalaburagi (Headquarters)]]
* [[Ballari district|Ballari]]
* [[Bidar district|Bidar]]
* [[Koppal district|Koppala]]
* [[Raichur district|Raichuru]]
* [[Vijayanagara district|Vijayanagara (Hospete)]]
* [[Yadgir district|Yadagiri]]
|style="vertical-align:top;"|
* [[Mysuru district|Mysuru (Headquarters)]]
* [[Chamarajanagar district|Chamarajanagara]]
* [[Chikmagalur district|Chikkamagaluru]]
* [[Dakshina Kannada|Dakshina Kannada (Mangaluru)]]
* [[Hassan district|Hassan]]
* [[Kodagu district|Kodagu (Madikeri)]]
* [[Mandya district|Mandya]]
* [[Udupi district|Udupi]]
|}

==Alphabetical listing of districts==

{{static row numbers}}{{sticky header}}
{| class="wikitable sortable static-row-numbers sticky-header"
!Code<ref>{{cite web
 |url         = https://www.mail.nic.in/docs/MailService_e-mail_address_Policy_WithCodes.pdf
 |title       = NIC Policy on format of e-mail Address: Appendix (2): Districts Abbreviations as per ISO 3166–2
 |pages       = 5–10
 |publisher   = [[Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (India)|Ministry Of Communications and Information Technology]], Government of India
 |date        = 2004-08-18
 |access-date  = 2008-11-24
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20080911133331/https://www.mail.nic.in/docs/MailService_e-mail_address_Policy_WithCodes.pdf
 |archive-date = 2008-09-11
}}</ref>
!District
! Headquarters<ref name="goiport">{{cite web|title=Know India&amp;nbsp;– Districts of Karnataka|url=http://india.gov.in/knowindia/districts/andhra1.php?stateid=KA|publisher=Government of India portal|access-date=16 November 2010}}</ref>
!Established<ref>Here 'Established' means year of establishment as a district of Karnataka. If the district was formed earlier to the formation of district in the state of Karnataka, 1 November 1956 will be considered as the day of establishment of the district.</ref><ref name="reorg">{{cite web|title=STATES REORGANISATION ACT 1956 - Formation of a new Mysore State |url=http://www.commonlii.org/in/legis/num_act/sra1956250/ |access-date=17 November 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516123014/http://www.commonlii.org/in/legis/num_act/sra1956250/ |archive-date=16 May 2008 }}</ref>
!Subdivisions (Taluka)
!Population<ref name="census2011.co.in">{{Cite web | url=http://www.census2011.co.in/census/state/districtlist/karnataka.html |title = List of districts of Karnataka}}</ref>({{As of|2011}})
!Area<ref name="goiport"/>
!Population density<ref name="census2011.co.in"/>({{As of|2011}})
!Map
|-
|BK|
BAG
| [[Bagalkot district|Bagalkote]]
| [[Bagalkote]]
|15 August 1997<ref name="HanBokKar">{{cite web|title=A Handbook of Karnataka&amp;nbsp;– Administration |url=http://www.karunadu.gov.in/gazetteer/HandbookKarnataka2010/Chapter%20IX%20Administration.pdf |publisher=Government of Karnataka |access-date=16 November 2010 |pages=354, 355 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008073453/http://www.karunadu.gov.in/gazetteer/HandbookKarnataka2010/Chapter%20IX%20Administration.pdf |archive-date=8 October 2011 }}</ref>
|
{{colbegin}}
* [[Badami]]
* [[Bagalkote]]
* [[Bilagi]]
* [[Ilkal]]
* [[Hunagunda]]
* [[Halavagalu]]
* [[Rabkavi Banhatti]]
* [[Terdal]]
* [[Guledgudda]]
* [[Jamkhandi]]
* [[Mudhol]]
{{colend}}
|1,889,752
|{{convert|6575|sqkm|sqmi|abbr=on}}
|{{convert|288|/sqkm|/sqmi|abbr=on}}
|[[File:Bagalkot in Karnataka (India).svg|75px]]
|-
| BEU
| [[Bengaluru Urban district|Bengaluru Urban]]
| [[Bangalore|Bengaluru]]
|1 November 1956
|
{{colbegin}}
* [[Bangalore|Bengaluru]]
* [[Anekal]]
* [[Yelahanka]]
* [[Kengeri]]
* [[Krishnaraja Pura]]
* [[Sarjapura]]
{{colend}}
|9,621,551
|{{convert|2190|sqkm|sqmi|abbr=on}}
|{{convert|4393|/sqkm|/sqmi|abbr=on}}
|[[File:Karnataka Bangalore Urban locator map.svg|75px]]
|-
|BEN
|[[Bengaluru North District|Bengaluru North]]
|[[Doddaballapura]]
|15 August 1986<ref>{{cite web|title=District Profile|url=http://bangalorerural.nic.in/District_profile.htm|access-date=18 November 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101129041548/http://bangalorerural.nic.in/District_profile.htm|archive-date=29 November 2010}}</ref>
|
{{colbegin}}
* [[Doddaballapura]]
* [[Devanahalli]]
* [[Hosakote]]
* [[Nelamangala]]
* [[Dabaspete]]
* [[Dodda Belavangala]]
{{colend}}
|990,923
|{{convert|2259|sqkm|sqmi|abbr=on}}
|{{convert|431|/sqkm|/sqmi|abbr=on}}
|[[File:Karnataka Bangalore Rural locator map.svg|75px]]
|-
|BES
|[[Bengaluru South District|Bengaluru South]]
|[[Ramanagara]]
|10 September 2007<ref name="HanBokKar"/>
|
{{colbegin}}
*[[Ramanagara]]
*[[Bidadi]]
*[[Channapatna]]
*[[Kanakapura]]
*[[Harohalli]]
*[[Kodihalli, Kanakapura|Kodihalli]]
*[[Magadi]]
*[[Kuduru]]
*[[Huliyurdurga]]
*[[Kunigal]]
{{colend}}
|1,082,636
|{{convert|3556|sqkm|sqmi|abbr=on}}
|{{convert|308|/sqkm|/sqmi|abbr=on}}
|[[File:Karnataka Ramanagara locator map.svg|75px]]
|-
|BEL
| [[Belagavi district|Belagavi]]
|[[Belgaum]]
|1 November 1956
|
{{colbegin}}
*[[Athni]]
*[[Bailhongal]]
*[[Belgaum]]
*[[Chikodi]]
*[[Gokak]]
*[[Hukkeri]]
*[[Khanapur]]
*[[Kagawad]]
*[[Mudalagi]]
*[[Nippani]]
*[[Kittur]]
*[[Raybag]]
*[[Ramdurg]]
*[[Saundatti]]
*[[Yaragatti]]
{{colend}}
|4,779,661
|{{convert|13415|sqkm|sqmi|abbr=on}}
|{{convert|356|/sqkm|/sqmi|abbr=on}}
|[[File:Karnataka Belgaum locator map.svg|75px]]
|-
|BAL
| [[Ballari district|Ballari]]
|[[Ballari]]
|1 November 1956
|
{{colbegin}}
*[[Bellari]]
*[[Kampli]]
*[[Kurugodu]]
*[[Sanduru]]
*[[Siruguppa]]
{{colend}}
|1,400,970
|{{convert|4252 |sqkm|sqmi|abbr=on}}
|{{convert|290|/sqkm|/sqmi|abbr=on}}
|[[File:Karnataka Bellary locator map.svg|75px]]
|-
|BID
| [[Bidar District|Bidar]]
|[[Bidar]]
|1 November 1956
|
{{colbegin}}
*[[Bidar]]
*[[Basavakalyan]]
*[[Kamalnagar]]
*[[Hulasuru]]
*[[Chitgoppa]]
*[[Bhalki]]
*[[Homnabad]]
*[[Aurad]]
{{colend}}
|1,703,300
|{{convert|5448|sqkm|sqmi|abbr=on}}
|{{convert|313|/sqkm|/sqmi|abbr=on}}
|[[File:Karnataka Bidar locator map.svg|75px]]
|-
|VIJ
| [[Bijapur district, Karnataka|Bijapur]]
|[[Bijapur district, Karnataka|Bijapur]]
|1 November 1956
|
{{colbegin}}
*[[Vijayapura Taluka|Vijayapura]]
*[[Indi, Karnataka|Indi]]
*[[Muddebihal]]
*[[Babaleshwar]]
*[[Nidagundi]]
*[[Tikota]]
*[[Devara Hippargi]]
*[[Talikote]]
*[[Chadchan]]
*[[Kolhar, Bijapur|Kolhar]]
*[[Sindgi]]
*[[Basavana Bagevadi]]
*[[Almel]]
{{colend}}
|2,177,331
|{{convert|10498|sqkm|sqmi|abbr=on}}
|{{convert|210|/sqkm|/sqmi|abbr=on}}
|[[File:Karnataka Bijapur locator map.svg|75px]]
|-
|CHA
| [[Chamarajanagar district|Chamarajanagara]]
|[[Chamarajanagar]]a
|15 August 1997<ref name="HanBokKar"/>
|
{{colbegin}}
*[[Chamarajanagar]]
*[[Gundlupet]]
*[[Kollegal]]
*[[Hanur]]
*[[Yelandur]]
{{colend}}
|1,020,791
|{{convert|5101|sqkm|sqmi|abbr=on}}
|{{convert|181|/sqkm|/sqmi|abbr=on}}
|[[File:Karnataka Chamarajanagar locator map.svg|75px]]
|-
|CHI
| [[Chikkaballapura district|Chikkaballapura]]
|[[Chikkaballapur]]
||10 September 2007<ref name="HanBokKar"/>
|
{{colbegin}}
*[[Bagepalli]]
*[[Chikballapur]]
*[[Chintamani, Karnataka|Chintamani]]
*[[Gauribidanur]]
*[[Gudibanda]]
*[[Sidlaghatta]]
*[[Manchenahalli]]
{{colend}}
|1,255,104
|{{convert|4524|sqkm|sqmi|abbr=on}}<ref name="chikbpur">{{cite web|title=District Profile&amp;nbsp;– Area and population |url=http://www.chikballapur.nic.in/district_areapopulation-1.html |access-date=18 November 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101125225440/http://www.chikballapur.nic.in/district_areapopulation-1.html |archive-date=25 November 2010 }}</ref>
|{{convert|296|/sqkm|/sqmi|abbr=on}}
|[[File:Karnataka Chikballapur locator map.svg|75px]]
|-
|CHK
|[[Chikmagalur district|Chikmagalur]]
|[[Chikmagalur]]
|1 November 1956
|
{{colbegin}}
*[[Chikmagalur]]
*[[Kadur]]
*[[Koppa, India|Koppa]]
*[[Mudigere]]
*[[Kalasa]]
*[[Narasimharajapura]]
*[[Sringeri]]
*[[Ajjampura]]
*[[Tarikere]]
{{colend}}
|1,137,961
|{{convert|7201|sqkm|sqmi|abbr=on}}
|{{convert|158|/sqkm|/sqmi|abbr=on}}
|[[File:Karnataka Chikmagalur locator map.svg|75px]]
|-
|CHT
|[[Chitradurga district|Chitradurga]]
|[[Chitradurga]]
|1 November 1956
|
{{colbegin}}
*[[Challakere]]
*[[Chitradurga]]
*[[Hiriyur]]
*[[Holalkere]]
*[[Hosadurga]]
*[[Molakalmuru]]
{{colend}}
|1,659,456
|{{convert|8440|sqkm|sqmi|abbr=on}}
|{{convert|197|/sqkm|/sqmi|abbr=on}}
|[[File:Karnataka Chitradurga locator map.svg|75px]]
|-
|DAK
| [[Dakshina Kannada]]
|[[Mangaluru]]
|1 November 1956
|
{{colbegin}}
*[[Bantwal]]
*[[Beltangadi]]
*[[Mangaluru taluk|Mangaluru]]
*[[Moodabidri]]
*[[Kadaba]]
*[[Puttur, Karnataka|Puttur]]
*[[Sulya]]
{{colend}}
|2,089,649
|{{convert|4560|sqkm|sqmi|abbr=on}}
|{{convert|430|/sqkm|/sqmi|abbr=on}}
|[[File:Karnataka DK locator map.svg|75px]]
|-
|DAV
|[[Davanagere district|Davanagere]]
|[[Davanagere]]
|15 August 1997<ref name="HanBokKar"/>
|
{{colbegin}}
*[[Channagiri]]
*[[Davanagere]]
*[[Harihar]]
*[[Honnali]]
*[[Jagalur]]
*[[Nyamati]]
{{colend}}
|1,643,494
|{{convert|4460|sqkm|sqmi|abbr=on}}
|{{convert|370|/sqkm|/sqmi|abbr=on}}
|[[File:Karnataka Davanagere locator map.svg|75px]]
|-
|DHA
| [[Dharwad district|Dhārawaḍa]]
|[[Dharwad|Dhārawaḍa]]
|1 November 1956
|
{{colbegin}}
*[[Annigeri]]
*[[Alnavara]]
*[[Dharwad]]
*[[Hubli]]
*[[Hubli]] [[City]]
*[[Kalghatgi]]
*[[Kundgol]]
*[[Navalgund]]
{{colend}}
|1,847,023
|{{convert|4260|sqkm|sqmi|abbr=on}}
|{{convert|434|/sqkm|/sqmi|abbr=on}}
|[[File:Dharwad in Karnataka (India).svg|75px]]
|-
|GAD
|[[Gadag district|Gadag]]
|[[Gadag]]
|24 August 1997<ref name="HanBokKar"/>
|
{{colbegin}}
*[[Gadag-Betigeri]]
*[[Mundargi]]
*[[Nargund]]
*[[Gajendragad]]
*[[Lakshmeshwar]]
*[[Ron, Karnataka|Ron]]
*[[Shirhatti]]
{{colend}}
|1,064,570
|{{convert|4656|sqkm|sqmi|abbr=on}}
|{{convert|229|/sqkm|/sqmi|abbr=on}}
|[[File:Karnataka Gadag locator map.svg|75px]]
|-
|KAL
|[[Kalaburagi district|Kalaburagi]]
|[[Kalaburagi]]
|1 November 1956
|
{{colbegin}}
*[[Afzalpur]]
*[[Aland, Karnataka|Aland]]
*[[Chincholi]]
*[[Chitapur]]
*[[Kalaburagi]]
*[[Kamalapur, Kalaburagi|Kamalapura]]
*[[Kalagi]]
*[[Jevargi]]
*[[Sedam]]
*[[Shahbad]]
*[[Yedrami]]
{{colend}}
|2,566,326
|{{convert|10951|sqkm|sqmi|abbr=on}}
|{{convert|234|/sqkm|/sqmi|abbr=on}}
|[[File:Karnataka Gulbarga locator map.svg|75px]]
|-
|HAS
|[[Hassan district|Hassan]]
|[[Hassan, Karnataka|Hassan]]
|1 November 1956
|
{{colbegin}}
*[[Alur, Hassan|Alur]]
*[[Arkalgud]]
*[[Arsikere]]
*[[Belur, Karnataka|Belur]]
*[[Channarayapattana]]
*[[Hassan, India|Hassan]]
*[[Holenarsipur]]
*[[Sakleshpur]]
{{colend}}
|1,776,421
|{{convert|6814|sqkm|sqmi|abbr=on}}
|{{convert|261|/sqkm|/sqmi|abbr=on}}
|[[File:Karnataka Hassan locator.svg|75px]]
|-
|HAV
|[[Haveri district|Haveri]]
|[[Haveri]]
|24 August 1997<ref name="HanBokKar"/>
|
{{colbegin}}
*[[Byadgi]]
*[[Hangal]]
*[[Haveri]]
*[[Hirekerur]]
*[[Ranibennur]]
*[[Rattihalli]]
*[[Savanur]]
*[[Shiggaon]]
{{colend}}
|1,597,668
|{{convert|4823|sqkm|sqmi|abbr=on}}
|{{convert|331|/sqkm|/sqmi|abbr=on}}
|[[File:Karnataka Haveri locator map.svg|75px]]
|-
|KOD
| [[Kodagu district|Kodagu]]
|[[Madikeri]]
|1 November 1956
|
{{colbegin}}
*[[Madikeri]]
*[[Kushalanagar]]
*[[Virajpet]]
*[[Somvarpet]]
*[[Ponnampet]]

{{colend}}
|554,519
|{{convert|4102|sqkm|sqmi|abbr=on}}
|{{convert|135|/sqkm|/sqmi|abbr=on}}
|[[File:Karnataka Kodagu locator map.svg|75px]]
|-
|KL
|[[Kolar district|Kolāra]]
|[[Kolar, Karnataka|Kolāra]]
|1 November 1956
|
{{colbegin}}
*[[Bangarapet]]
*[[Kolar, Karnataka|Kolar]]
*[[Kolar Gold Fields]]
*[[Malur]]
*[[Mulbagal]]
*[[Srinivaspur]]
{{colend}}
|1,536,401
|{{convert|3969|sqkm|sqmi|abbr=on}}<ref name="kolar">{{cite web|title=Kolar district at a glance |url=http://kolar.nic.in/kolar_statistics.pdf |access-date=18 November 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110312084801/http://kolar.nic.in/kolar_statistics.pdf |archive-date=12 March 2011 }}</ref>
|{{convert|386|/sqkm|/sqmi|abbr=on}}
|[[File:Karnataka Kolar locator map.svg|75px]]
|-
|KOP
|[[Koppal district|Koppal]]
|[[Koppal]]
|24 August 1997<ref name="HanBokKar"/>
|
{{colbegin}}
*[[Gangawati]]
*[[Kanakagiri]]
*[[Kuknur]]
*[[Karatagi]]
*[[Koppal]]
*[[Kushtagi]]
*[[Yelbarga]]
{{colend}}
|1,389,920
|{{convert|7189|sqkm|sqmi|abbr=on}}
|{{convert|250|/sqkm|/sqmi|abbr=on}}
|[[File:Karnataka Koppal locator map.svg|75px]]
|-
|MAN
|[[Mandya district|Mandya]]
|[[Mandya]]
|1 November 1956<ref>Note: This date means the day when the district was initially formed, even before the formation of the state of Karnataka (Mysore). Hence 1 November 1956 will be considered as the day of formation of district in the state of Karnataka</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Formation of Mandya district|url=http://www.mandya.nic.in/scmallaiah.htm|access-date=18 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100802203543/http://www.mandya.nic.in/scmallaiah.htm|archive-date=2 August 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|
{{colbegin}}
*[[Krishnarajpet]]
*[[Maddur, Mandya|Maddur]]
*[[Malavalli]]
*[[Mandya]]
*[[Nagamangala]]
*[[Pandavapura]]
*[[Shrirangapattana]]
{{colend}}
|1,805,769
|{{convert|4961|sqkm|sqmi|abbr=on}}
|{{convert|364|/sqkm|/sqmi|abbr=on}}
|[[File:Karnataka Mandya locator map.svg|75px]]
|-
|MYS
|[[Mysore district|Mysuru]]
|[[Mysore|Mysuru]]
|1 November 1956
|
{{colbegin}}
*[[Heggadadevana kote]]
*[[Hunsur]]
*[[Krishnarajanagara]]
*[[Mysore]]
*[[Nanjangud]]
*[[Piriyapatna]]
*[[Saragur]]
*[[T.Narsipur]]
{{colend}}
|3,001,127
|{{convert|6854|sqkm|sqmi|abbr=on}}
|{{convert|476|/sqkm|/sqmi|abbr=on}}
|[[File:Karnataka Mysore locator map.svg|75px]]
|-
|RAI
|[[Raichur district|Raichur]]
|[[Raichur]]
|1 November 1956
|
{{colbegin}}
*[[Devadurga, India|Devadurga]]
*[[Lingsugur]]
*[[Manvi]]
*[[Maski]]
*[[Raichur]]
*[[Sindhnur]]
*[[Sirwar]]
{{colend}}
|1,928,812
|{{convert|8440|sqkm|sqmi|abbr=on}}
|{{convert|228|/sqkm|/sqmi|abbr=on}}
|[[File:Karnataka Raichur locator map.svg|75px]]
|-
|SHI
|[[Shimoga district|Shivamogga]]
|[[Shimoga|Shivamogga]]
|1 November 1956
|
{{colbegin}}
*[[Bhadravathi, Karnataka|Bhadravati]]
*[[Hosanagara]]
*[[Sagara, Karnataka|Sagar]]
*[[Shikaripura]]
*[[Shimoga]]
*[[Sorab]]
*[[Thirthahalli]]
{{colend}}
|1,752,753
|{{convert|8477|sqkm|sqmi|abbr=on}}
|{{convert|207|/sqkm|/sqmi|abbr=on}}
|[[File:Karnataka Shimoga locator map.svg|75px]]
|-
|TUM
|[[Tumakuru district|Tumakuru]]
|[[Tumkur|Tumakuru]]
|1 November 1956
|
{{colbegin}}
*[[Chiknayakanhalli]]
*[[Gubbi]]
*[[Koratagere]]
*[[Kunigal]]
*[[Madhugiri]]
*[[Pavagada]]
*[[Sira, India|Sira]]
*[[Tiptur]]
*[[Tumkur]]
*[[Turuvekere]]
{{colend}}
|2,678,980
|{{convert|10597|sqkm|sqmi|abbr=on}}
|{{convert|253|/sqkm|/sqmi|abbr=on}}
|[[File:Karnataka Tumkur locator map.svg|75px]]
|-
|UDU
|[[Udupi district|Udupi]]
|[[Udupi]]
|25 August 1997<ref name="HanBokKar"/>
|
{{colbegin}}
*[[Udupi]]
*[[Brahmavara]]
*[[Karkal]]
*[[Kapu, Karnataka|Kapu]]
*[[Kundapura]]
*[[Hebri]]
*[[Byndoor]]
{{colend}}
|1,177,361
|{{convert|3880|sqkm|sqmi|abbr=on}}
|{{convert|329|/sqkm|/sqmi|abbr=on}}
|[[File:Karnataka Udupi locator map.svg|75px]]
|-
|UTK
|[[Uttara Kannada]]
|[[Karwar]]
|1 November 1956
|
{{colbegin}}
*[[Ankola]]
*[[Bhatkal]]
*[[Dandeli]]
*[[Haliyal]]
*[[Honnavar]]
*[[Joida]]
*[[Karwar]]
*[[Kumta]]
*[[Mundgod]]
*[[Siddapura, Uttara Kannada|Siddapur]]
*[[Sirsi, Karnataka|Sirsi]]
*[[Yellapur]]
{{colend}}
|1,437,169
|{{convert|10291|sqkm|sqmi|abbr=on}}
|{{convert|140|/sqkm|/sqmi|abbr=on}}
|[[File:Karnataka UK locator map.svg|75px]]
|-
|VIJ
|[[Vijayanagara district|Vijayanagara]]
|[[Hospet|Hosapete]]
|18 November 2020
|
{{colbegin}}
*[[Harapanahalli]]
*[[Hagaribommanahalli]]
*[[Hoovina Hadagali]]
*[[Hospete]]
*[[Kotturu, Karnataka|Kottur]]
*[[Kudligi]]
{{colend}}
|1,353,628
|{{convert|5644|sqkm|sqmi|abbr=on}}
|{{convert|240|/sqkm|/sqmi|abbr=on}}
|[[File:Karnataka Vijayanagara locator map.svg|75px]]
|-
|YAD
|[[Yadgir district|Yadgiri]]
|[[Yadgir]]i
|30 December 2009
|
{{colbegin}}
*[[Gurumitkal]]
*[[Hunasagi]]
*[[Shahpur, Karnataka|Shahpur]]
*[[Shorapur]]
*[[Vadagera]]
*[[Yadgir]]
{{colend}}
|1,174,271
|
{{convert|5234|sqkm|sqmi|abbr=on}}
|{{convert|224|/sqkm|/sqmi|abbr=on}}
|[[File:Karnataka Yadgir locator map.svg|75px]]
|}

==Proposed districts==

As of early 2026, The Karnataka government was considering dividing 5 following existing districts into several districts (listed north to south).<ref name=karnew1>[https://marvelousbelgaum.in/karnataka-govt-considers-division-of-five-districts Karnataka Govt Considers Division of Five Districts], marvelousbelgaum.in, 18 December 2025.</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center;"
|- 
! Proposed District
! Proposed Since
! Current Division & District
! COmment 

|-
| [[Chikkodi]]
| 1997
|rowspan="2"| [[Belagavi Division]] ([[Belagavi district]])
| Chikkodi is 70 km north of Belagavi city and 45 km northwest of Gokak city.
|-
| [[Gokak]]
| 1990s
| Gokak is 60 km northeast of Belagavi city. 


|-
| [[Sirsi, Karnataka|Sirsi]]
| 1980s
| [[Belagavi Division]] ([[Uttara Kannada|Uttara Kannada district]])
| Sirsi city is 115 km east of Karwar port city (HQ of Uttara Kannada district).


|-
| [[Sullia]]
| 2020s
| [[Mysuru Division]] ([[Dakshina Kannada|Dakshina Kannada district]])
| Sullia, an in-land city, is 85 km southeast of Mangaluru coastal city (HQ of Dakshina Kannada district).


|-
| [[Madhugiri]]
| 2020s
|rowspan="2"| [[Bengaluru Division]] ([[Tumakuru district]])
| Madhugiri is 50 km north of Tumakuru city.
|-
| [[Tiptur]]
| 2020s
| Tiptur is 75 km west of Tumakuru city.


|-
| [[Hunsur]]
| 2020s
| [[Mysuru Division]] ([[Mysuru district]])
| Hunsur, an in-land city, is 45 km west of Mysuru city.

|-

|}

== See also ==
* [[List of taluks of Karnataka]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Districts of Karnataka}}

{{Karnataka topics}}
{{Districts of India}}

[[Category:Districts of Karnataka|*]]
[[Category:Karnataka-related lists|Districts]]
[[Category:Lists of districts in India|Karnataka]]