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{{Short description|none}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2019}}
{{Infobox subdivision type
| name = Districts of Kerala
| map = Political map of Kerala.svg
| category = Districts
| territory = [[Kerala]]
| start_date =
| current_number = 14 districts
| number_date =
| population_range = [[Wayanad district|Wayanad]] – 846,637 (lowest); [[Malappuram district|Malappuram]] – 4,494,998 (highest)
| area_range = [[Alappuzha district|Alappuzha]] – {{Convert|1415|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} (smallest); [[Idukki district|Idukki]] – {{Convert|4612|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} (largest)
| government = [[Government of Kerala]]
| subdivision = [[Revenue Divisions of Kerala|Revenue Divisions]] [[List of taluks of Kerala|Taluks]]
| caption = Districts of Kerala
}}
The Indian state of [[Kerala]] is divided into 14 districts. Districts are the major administrative units of a [[States and union territories of India|state]] which are further sub-divided into [[List of revenue divisions of Kerala|revenue divisions]] and [[List of taluks of Kerala|taluks]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Revenue administration (Department of Revenue, Government of Kerala) |url=http://clr.kerala.gov.in/english/index.php/structure |author1=Stateitcell }}</ref>

[[Idukki district]] is the largest district in Kerala with a total land area of 461,223.14 hectares.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-11 |title=Idukki reclaims top spot as Kerala's largest district |url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/idukki-reclaims-top-spot-as-kerala-s-largest-district-1.8894290 |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=English.Mathrubhumi |language=en}}</ref>

When the independent India merged smaller states together, Travancore and Cochin states were integrated to form [[Travancore-Cochin]] state on 1 July 1949. However, [[North Malabar]] and [[South Malabar]] remained under the [[Madras state]]. The [[States Reorganisation Act]] of 1 November 1956 elevated Kerala to statehood through the unification of [[Malayalam]]-speaking territories in the southwestern [[Malabar Coast]] of India.

The state comprises three parts – the Northern Kerala districts of [[Kasaragod district|Kasaragod]], [[Kannur district|Kannur]], [[Wayanad district|Wayanad]], [[Kozhikode district|Kozhikode]], [[Malappuram district|Malappuram]]; the Central Kerala districts of [[Palakkad district|Palakkad]], [[Thrissur district|Thrissur]], [[Ernakulam district|Ernakulam]], [[Kottayam district |Kottayam]], [[Idukki district|Idukki]]; and the Southern Kerala districts of [[Alappuzha district|Alappuzha]], [[Pathanamthitta district|Pathanamthitta]], [[Kollam district|Kollam]] and [[Thiruvananthapuram district|Thiruvananthapuram]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Central Kerala |url=https://www.keralatourism.org/highresolutionimages/central-kerala |access-date=2024-01-12 |website=Kerala Tourism |language=en}}</ref> Such a regional division occurred being part of historical regions of [[Kingdom of Cochin|Cochin]], [[North Malabar]], [[South Malabar]], and [[Travancore]].<ref name="mlbr">{{cite book
| author = William Logan | year=1887
| title= Malabar Manual (Volume-I) | publisher=Madras Government Press
| url= https://archive.org/details/malabarmanual0000loga/mode/2up
}}</ref> [[North Malabar]] region includes [[Kasargod]], [[Kannur]], [[Wayanad]], and the northern region of [[Kozhikode]] district, [[South Malabar]] region includes south-central part of [[Kozhikode district]], [[Malappuram]], parts except Chittoor taluk of [[Palakkad district]], [[Kunnamkulam]] and [[Chavakkad]] region of [[Thrissur]] district. The regions of [[South Malabar]] and [[Kingdom of Cochin]], both of which share many historical, geographical, and cultural similarities, together constitute the districts of Central Kerala.<ref name="mlbr"/><ref>{{cite book
| author = C. Achutha Menon | year=1911
| title = The Cochin State Manual | publisher=Cochin Government Press
| url= https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.22142/page/n9/mode/2up
}}</ref> The [[Travancore]] region is incorporated in the districts of South Kerala.<ref>{{cite book
| author = V. Nagam Aiya | year=1906
| title=The Travancore State Manual | publisher=Travancore Government Press
| url= https://archive.org/details/travancorestate00aiyagoog/page/n10/mode/2up
}}</ref> The Travancore region was again divided into three zones as [[Northern Travancore]] (Hill Range) ([[Idukki district|Idukki District]], [[Kottayam district]] and eastern portion of [[Ernakulam district|Ernakulam]] district), [[Central Travancore]] (Central Range) ([[Kollam district]], [[Pathanamthitta district|Pathanamthitta]] and [[Alappuzha district|Alappuzha]] district) and [[Southern Travancore]] (Southern Range) ([[Thiruvananthapuram district|Thiruvananthapuram]]).<ref>{{Cite journal |last=J.B.C. |date=September 1953 |title=State of Travancore-Cochin. The Travancore-Cochin Legislative Assembly Manual. (Ernakulam: Government Press. 1952. Pp. xii, 132.) |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0003055400301198 |journal=American Political Science Review |volume=47 |issue=3 |pages=903 |doi=10.1017/s0003055400301198 |issn=0003-0554|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

The districts in Kerala are often named after the largest town or city in the district. Some of the districts were renamed in 1990 from the anglicised names to their local names. The 14 districts are further divided into [[List of revenue divisions of Kerala|27 revenue divisions]], [[List of taluks of Kerala|77 taluks]] and 1664 [[Revenue Village|revenue villages]] for land revenue administration.<ref>{{Cite web |last=[[Department of Revenue and Land Survey (Kerala)|Revenue Department]] |date=2023-09-21 |title=Revenue administration - Government of Kerala |url=https://clr.kerala.gov.in/eng/ |access-date=2026-01-04 |website=Department of Land Revenue |language=en-gb}}</ref>

For local governance, Kerala has 6 [[Municipal corporation (India)|municipal corporations]] and 87 [[Municipal council (India)|municipalities]] overseeing urban areas. Additionally, there are 941 [[gram panchayat]]s, 152 [[Panchayat samiti|block panchayats]] and 14 [[District council (India)|district panchayats]] responsible for rural governance.

==Administrative structure==
[[File:Regions of Kerala.svg|thumb|Regional grouping of districts in Kerala]]
Kerala State has been divided into 14 districts, 27 [[List of revenue divisions of Kerala|revenue divisions]], 78 taluks, 152 [[Community development block in India|community development blocks]] and 1664 [[Revenue Village|revenue villages]].

=== Revenue administration ===
A district is administered by a [[District Collector]], who is an officer of the [[Indian Administrative Service]] (IAS) of Kerala cadre, and is appointed by the State [[Government of Kerala]]. The headquarters of the district administration is known as the [[Collectorate]]. The District Collector serves as the head of revenue administration in the district and also functions as the [[District magistrate|District Magistrate]] responsible for maintaining law and order within the district. The Collector serves as both the agent of the state Government and also as the representative of the people in the district. District administration is performed by the various Departments of the State Government, each of which has its own office at the district level. The District Officers of the various Departments in the district render technical advice to the collector in the discharge of his duties. The district collector is assisted by an additional district magistrate and deputy collectors.

The districts are divided into [[List of revenue divisions of Kerala|revenue divisions]] which comprises several [[List of taluks of Kerala|taluks]] under its jurisdiction. Taluks comprises several [[Revenue Village|revenue villages]]. A revenue division is headed by a [[Sub-divisional magistrate|Revenue Divisional Officer]]/[[Sub Collector]], and taluk is headed by a [[Tehsildar]]. The Tahsildar is assisted in each revenue village by village officers and village assistants. Village offices functions as the grassroot of the revenue administration.

=== Local governance ===
For the purpose of local governance, there are local-self government institutions, which includes 941 gram panchayats, 152 block panchayats, 14 district panchayats, 6 corporations and 87 municipalities.

The panchayati raj institutions ([[gram panchayat]]s, [[block panchayat]]s, [[District Panchayat|district panchayats]]) look after the governance of the rural areas in the district. These panchayats are governed by elected councils, headed by presidents and vice presidents respectively.
[[File:Jinoy Tom Jacob, Open Data Kerala.webm|thumb|360x360px|'''An NGO Contributes to Kerala Maps - Based on Open Street Maps & Wikivoyage''']]
The urban local bodies ([[Municipalities of Kerala|municipalities]] and [[List of municipal corporations in Kerala|municipal corporations]]) look after the governance of the urban areas in the district. These urban local bodies are governed by elected municipal councils, headed by [[Mayor (India)|mayor]]/chairperson and [[deputy mayor]]/vice chairperson respectively. A municipality, which consists of urban areas, is administered by a municipal council headed by a Municipal Chairperson. In cities, a municipal corporation, administered by a corporation council headed by a mayor, oversees the municipal affairs.

The other administrative subdivision is "[[Community development block|blocks]]", which is co-terminus with the block panchayats area. Th CD blocks are established for the purpose of [[rural development]], aligning with the boundaries of the [[Panchayat samiti|block panchayat]]. Each CD Block encompasses several gram panchayats within its limit. A block is administered by a Block Development Officer (BDO), appointed by the government, who also functions as the ex-officio secretary of the Block Panchayat.

A taluk consists of urban units such as [[Municipal governance in India|statutory towns]] and [[census town]]s and rural units called gram panchayats (for revenue purposes). The Local Self-Governments Department (LSGD), Government of Kerala, coordinates and supervises the administrative affairs of these local bodies and has district-level offices.

=== Police ===
{{Main|Kerala Police}}
There are 20 police districts in total, and among these, 8 police districts are coterminous with the respective revenue districts, while the remaining 12 police districts are constituted by bifurcating the revenue district into "city" and "rural" areas. Each police district is headed by a "District Police Chief" (DPC), an [[Indian Police Service|IPS]] officer typically holding the rank of [[Superintendent of police (India)|Superintendent of Police]] (SP) or above. The District Police Chief is responsible for maintaining law and order, conducting criminal investigations and overseeing police administration in the district.

These districts are further divided into police sub-divisions. A subdivision comprises several police stations under its jurisdiction, each headed by an Assistant Superintendent of Police or Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) designated as the [[sub-divisional police officer]] (SDPO). The police station is the basic unit of police administration at the district level, each headed by an Inspector of Police, or in the case of rural areas, by a Sub-Inspector of Police designated as the [[Station house officer|Station House Officer]] (SHO).

=== Judiciary ===
The [[Kerala High Court]] has the jurisdiction of the state of Kerala. Each of the districts has a [[District courts of India|District & Sessions Court]].

=== Other ===
Each state government department has a district office at the district level, headed by district-level officials, such as the [[Medical officer of health#India|District Medical Officer]] for the health department, District Fire Officer for the Fire and Rescue Department, Divisional Forest Officer for the Forest Department, etc. Each department's district-level offices oversee their respective areas of administration.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stateitcell |title=Structure |url=http://www.clr.kerala.gov.in/english/index.php/structure |access-date=2024-05-11 |website=www.clr.kerala.gov.in |language=en-gb}}</ref>
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==History==
At the time of formation, Kerala had only five districts: [[Malabar district|Malabar]], [[Thrissur district|Thrissur]], [[Kottayam district|Kottayam]], [[Kollam district|Kollam]], and [[Thiruvananthapuram district|Thiruvananthapuram]].

On 1 January 1957, the [[Malabar district]] was trifurcated to form new districts of [[Kannur district|Kannur]], [[Kozhikode district|Kozhikode]], and [[Palakkad district|Palakkad]], bringing the total to seven districts.

[[Alappuzha district]] was carved out of erstwhile Kottayam and Kollam districts on 17 August 1957, to form the 8th district.

[[Ernakulam district]] was formed on 1 April 1958 as the 9th district, carved out of parts of erstwhile Thrissur and Kottayam districts.

[[Malappuram district]] was formed on 16 June 1969 as the 10th district, with Ernad and Tirur taluks of the erstwhile Kozhikode district and Perinthalmanna and Ponnani taluks of Palakkad district.

[[Idukki district]] was formed on 26 January 1972 as the 11th district, with Devikulam, Udumbanchola and Peermedu taluks of the erstwhile Kottayam district and Thodupuzha taluk of the erstwhile Ernakulam district.

[[Wayanad district]] was formed on 1 November 1980 as the 12th district in Kerala by carving out areas from Kozhikode and Kannur districts.

[[Pathanamthitta district]] was formed on 1 November 1982 as the 13th district by carving out the entire Pathanamthitta taluk and nine villages of Kunnathur taluk from Kollam district, entire Thiruvalla taluk and part of [[Chengannur]] and Mavelikkara taluks from Alapphuzha district and parts of Idukki district.

[[Kasaragod district]] was formed on 24 May 1984 as the 14th district by carving out a major portion of the erstwhile Kannur district. Kasaragod remains the last formed district of Kerala to date.

== Characteristics ==
[[Idukki district]] is the largest [[List of districts in India|district]] in Kerala by area. [[Alappuzha district]] is noted for its small area, while [[Malappuram district]] stands out as the most populous in Kerala. [[Wayanad district|Wayanad]], [[Idukki district|Idukki]], and [[Kasaragod district|Kasargod]] are the least populated districts in the state. Ernakulam district stands out as the most urbanised in Kerala, housing a municipal corporation and 11 municipalities, with 68.07% of its population residing in urban areas. Thiruvananthapuram has the highest population density at 1509 persons per sq.km, followed closely by Alappuzha and Kozhikode districts.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-09-11 |title=Idukki once again becomes the biggest district in State |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/idukki-once-again-becomes-the-biggest-district-in-state/article67295973.ece |access-date=2024-03-26 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Urbanization in Kerala |url=https://spb.kerala.gov.in/economic-review/ER2016/chapter01_02.php}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Economic review, 2017 State Planning Board, Government of Kerala |url=https://spb.kerala.gov.in/economic-review/ER2017/web_e/ch11.php?id=1&ch=11}}</ref>

==Districts==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! scope=col | 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 = 2004-08-10 |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>
! scope=col | District
! scope=col | Headquarters<ref name="kldistp">{{cite web|url=http://india.gov.in/knowindia/districts/andhra1.php?stateid=KL|title=Districts : Kerala|publisher=Government of India portal|access-date=2009-03-11}}</ref>
! scope=col | Established<ref>Here 'Established' means the year of establishment as a district of Kerala. If the district was formed earlier than the formation of the state of Kerala, 1 Nov 1956 will be considered as the day of establishment of the district.</ref>
! scope=col | Population (2018)<ref name="kerdemo_2018">{{Cite book|title=Annual Vital Statistics Report - 2018|publisher=Department of Economics and Statistics, Government of Kerala|year=2020|location=Thiruvananthapuram|pages=55|url=http://www.ecostat.kerala.gov.in/images/pdf/publications/Vital_Statistics/data/vital_statistics_2018.pdf}}</ref>
! scope=col | Area<ref name="censusindia">{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/maps/atlas/32part1.pdf|title=Part I: state|publisher=Government of India Census portal|access-date=2015-12-08}}</ref>
! scope=col | Subdivisions
! scope=col | Map
|-
| ALA
! scope=row | [[Alappuzha District|Alappuzha]]
| [[Alappuzha]]
| {{dts|17 Aug 1957}}<ref name="alappuzhanic">{{cite web|url=http://alappuzha.nic.in/history.htm|title=Alappuzha : History|publisher=alappuzha.nic.in|access-date=2009-03-11|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410024019/http://alappuzha.nic.in/history.htm|archive-date=2009-04-10}}</ref>
| 2,146,033
| {{convert|1415|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}
|align="left"|
*[[Ambalapuzha]] ([[Alappuzha]])
*[[Chengannur]]
*[[Cherthala]]
*[[Karthikappally]] ([[Haripad]])
*[[Kuttanad]] ([[Mankombu]])
*[[Mavelikkara]]<ref name="alappuzhanic" />
|[[File:India Kerala Alappuzha district.svg|100px]]
|-
| ERN
! scope=row | [[Ernakulam District|Ernakulam]]
| [[Kakkanad]]
| {{dts|1 Apr 1958}}<ref name="ernakulamnic">{{cite web|url=http://ernakulam.nic.in/history.htm|title=History of Ernakulam|publisher=ernakulam.nic.in ( Ministry of Communication & Information Technology, Govt. of India)|access-date=2009-03-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071115160050/http://ernakulam.nic.in/history.htm|archive-date=15 November 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| 3,427,659
| {{convert|2407|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}
|align="left"|
*[[Aluva]]
* [[Kanayannur]] ([[Ernakulam]])
* [[Kochi, India|Kochi]] ([[Fort Kochi]])
* [[Kothamangalam, Ernakulam|Kothamangalam]]
* [[Kunnathunad]] ([[Perumbavoor]])
* [[Muvattupuzha]]
* [[North Paravur]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ernakulam.nic.in/taluk.asp|title=Taluks — Ernakulam District|publisher=ernakulam.nic.in|access-date=2009-03-11|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227095053/http://ernakulam.nic.in/taluk.asp|archive-date=2009-02-27}}</ref>
|[[File:India Kerala Ernakulam district.svg|100px]]
|-
| IDU
! scope=row | [[Idukki district|Idukki]]
| [[Painavu]]
| {{dts|26 Jan 1972}}<ref name="idukkinic">{{cite web|url=http://idukki.nic.in/formation.htm|title=IDUKKI : History|publisher=idukki.nic.in ( Ministry of Communication & Information Technology, Govt. of India)|access-date=2009-03-11}}</ref><ref>as per Government notification No 54131/C2/71/RD dated 24 January 1972, Government of Kerala</ref>
| 1,093,156
| {{convert|4612|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}
|align="left"|
*[[Devikulam]]
* [[Peermade]]
* [[Udumbanchola]] ([[Nedumkandam]])
* [[Idukki]] ([[Painavu]])
* [[Thodupuzha]]
|[[File:India Kerala Idukki district.svg|100px]]
|-
| KAN
! scope=row | [[Kannur District|Kannur]]
| [[Kannur]]
| {{dts|1 Jan 1957}}<ref name="knr">{{cite web|url=http://www.knr.kerala.gov.in/administration.htm|title=Kannur district : Administration|publisher=knr.kerala.gov.in ( Govt. of Kerala)|access-date=2009-03-11|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090421152855/http://www.knr.kerala.gov.in/administration.htm|archive-date=2009-04-21}}</ref>
| 2,615,266
| {{convert|2966|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}
|align="left"|
*[[Thalassery]]
* [[Iritty]]
* [[Kannur]]
* [[Taliparamba]]
*[[Payyanur]]<ref name="knr" />
|[[File:India Kerala Kannur district.svg|100px]]
|-
| KAS
! scope=row | [[Kasaragod district|Kasaragod]]
| [[Kasaragod]]
| {{dts|24 May 1984}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kasargod.nic.in/profile/afterdisform.htm|title=District came into existence...|publisher=kasargod.nic.in|access-date=2009-03-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410025049/http://kasargod.nic.in/profile/afterdisform.htm|archive-date=10 April 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>As per GO.(MS)No.520/84/RD dated 19.05.1984, Government of Kerala</ref>
| 1,390,894
| {{convert|1989|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}
|align="left"|
*[[Manjeshwaram Taluk|Manjeshwaram]] ([[Uppala]])
* [[Kasaragod]]
* [[Vellarikundu]]
* [[Hosdurg]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kasargod.nic.in/|title=Kasaragod District > taluks|publisher=kasargod.nic.in|access-date=2009-03-11}}</ref>
|[[File:India Kerala Kasaragod district.svg|100px]]
|-
| KOL
! scope=row | [[Kollam District|Kollam]]
| [[Kollam]]
| {{dts|1 Nov 1956}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kollam.nic.in/history.html|title=Short History of Kollam|publisher=kollam.nic.in|access-date=2009-03-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110518045229/http://kollam.nic.in/history.html|archive-date=18 May 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> ( 1 July 1949)<ref name="previousdate" /><ref>[[Paravur, Kollam]]</ref>
| 2,659,431
| {{convert|2483|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}
|align="left"|
* [[Kollam]]
* [[Karunagappally]]
* [[Kunnathur (Kerala)|Kunnathur]] ([[Sasthamkotta]])
* [[Kottarakkara]]
* [[Punalur]]
* [[Pathanapuram]]<ref name="kollamnictaluk">{{cite web|url=http://kollam.nic.in/villa.html|title=Taluks and Villages|publisher=Kollam.nic.in|access-date=2009-03-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070210123336/http://kollam.nic.in/villa.html|archive-date=10 February 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|[[File:India Kerala Kollam district.svg|100px]]
|-
| KOT
! scope=row | [[Kottayam District|Kottayam]]
| [[Kottayam]]
| {{dts|1 Nov 1956}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kerala.gov.in/district_handbook/Kottayam.pdf |title=District Handbooks of Kerala KOTTAYAM |publisher=kerala.gov.in |access-date=2009-03-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090319183020/http://www.kerala.gov.in/district_handbook/Kottayam.pdf |archive-date=2009-03-19 }}</ref> (1 July 1949 )<ref name="previousdate" />
| 1,983,573
| {{convert|2206|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}
|align="left"|
*[[Changanassery, Kottayam|Changanasserry]]
* [[Kanjirappally]]
* [[Kottayam]]
* [[Vaikom]]
* [[Meenachil]] ([[Pala, Kerala|Pala]])
|[[File:India Kerala Kottayam district.svg|100px]]
|-
| KOZ
! scope=row | [[Kozhikode district|Kozhikode]]
| [[Kozhikode]]
| {{dts|1 Jan 1957}}<ref name="kozhikodenic">{{cite web|url=http://kozhikode.nic.in/kzk/History.htm|title=Kozhikode: History|publisher=kozhikode.nic.in|access-date=2009-03-12|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070402230805/http://kozhikode.nic.in/kzk/History.htm|archive-date=2007-04-02}}</ref>
| 3,249,761
| {{convert|2345|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}
|align="left"|
*[[Kozhikode]]
* [[Thamarassery]]
* [[Koyilandy]]
* [[Vatakara]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kozhikode.nic.in/kzk/administration.htm|title=Kozhikode: Administration|publisher=kozhikode.nic.in|access-date=2009-03-12|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207061813/http://www.kozhikode.nic.in/kzk/administration.htm|archive-date=2009-02-07}}</ref>
|[[File:India Kerala Kozhikode district.svg|100px]]
|-
| MAL
! scope=row | [[Malappuram District|Malappuram]]
| [[Malappuram]]
| {{dts|16 Jun 1969}}<ref name="malappuramnichist">{{cite web|url=http://malappuram.nic.in/history.html|title=Malappuram: HISTORY|publisher=malappuram.nic.in|access-date=2009-03-12}}</ref>
| 4,494,998
| {{convert|3554|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}
|align="left"|
*[[Nilambur]]
* [[Eranad]] ([[Manjeri]])
* [[Kondotty]]
* [[Perinthalmanna]]
* [[Ponnani]]
* [[Tirur]]
* [[Tirurangadi]]<ref name="malappuramnichist" />
|[[File:India Kerala Malappuram district.svg|100px]]
|-
| PAL
! scope=row | [[Palakkad District|Palakkad]]
| [[Palakkad]]
| {{dts|1 Jan 1957}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.palghat.net/html/glancefrm.htm|title=Welcome to Palghat|publisher=palghat.net|access-date=2009-03-12}}</ref>
| 2,952,254
| {{convert|4482|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}
|align="left"|
*[[Alathur]]
* [[Chittur]]
* [[Palakkad]]
* [[Pattambi]]
* [[Ottappalam]]
* [[Mannarkkad]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://palakkad.nic.in/basicstats.htm|title=BASIC STATISTICS of PALAKKAD|publisher=palakkad.nic.in|access-date=2009-03-12|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410023946/http://palakkad.nic.in/basicstats.htm|archive-date=2009-04-10}}</ref>
* [[Attappady]] ([[Agali, Palakkad|Agali]])<ref>https://www.mathrubhumi.com › news
അട്ടപ്പാടി ട്രൈബൽ താലൂക്ക് ... - Mathrubhumi</ref>
|[[File:India Kerala Palakkad district.svg|100px]]
|-
| PAT
! scope=row | [[Pathanamthitta district|Pathanamthitta]]
| [[Pathanamthitta]]
| {{dts|1 Nov 1982}}<ref name="pathanamthittanic">{{cite web|url=http://pathanamthitta.nic.in/History2.htm|title=Pathanamthitta : History|publisher=pathanamthitta.nic.in|access-date=2009-03-12|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410023559/http://pathanamthitta.nic.in/History2.htm|archive-date=2009-04-10}}</ref><ref>As per GO (MS) No.1026/82/(RD) dated 29.10.1982, Government of Kerala</ref>
| 1,172,212
| {{convert|2652|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}
|align="left"|
*[[Adoor]]
* [[Konni, India|Konni]]
* [[Kozhencherry]] ([[Pathanamthitta]])
* [[Ranni, Kerala|Ranni]]
* [[Mallappally]]
* [[Thiruvalla]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pathanamthitta.nic.in/Administration1.htm |title=Pathanamthitta : Administration |publisher=pathanamthitta.nic.in |access-date=2009-03-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410023822/http://pathanamthitta.nic.in/Administration1.htm |archive-date=2009-04-10 }}</ref>
|[[File:India Kerala Pathanamthitta district.svg|100px]]
|-
| THI
! scope=row | [[Thiruvananthapuram district|Thiruvananthapuram]]
| [[Thiruvananthapuram]]
| {{dts|1 Nov 1956}}<ref name="THIRUVANANTHAPURAM">{{cite web|url=http://www.kerala.gov.in/knowkerala/tvm.htm |title=THIRUVANANTHAPURAM |access-date=2009-03-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207004457/http://www.kerala.gov.in/knowkerala/tvm.htm |archive-date=2009-02-07 }}</ref> (1 July 1949)<ref name="previousdate"/>
| 3,355,148
| {{convert|2189|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}
|align="left"|
*[[Neyyattinkara (tehsil)|Neyyattinkara]]
* [[Kattakada]]
* [[Nedumangad taluk|Nedumangad]]
* [[Thiruvananthapuram Taluk|Thiruvananthapuram]]
* [[Chirayinkeezhu taluk|Chirayinkeezhu]] ([[Attingal]])
* [[Varkala]]
|[[File:India Kerala Thiruvananthapuram district.svg|100px]]
|-
| THR
! scope=row | [[Thrissur District|Thrissur]]
| [[Thrissur]]
| {{dts|1 Nov 1956}}<ref name="thrissurnic">{{cite web|url=http://thrissur.nic.in/tsrglance.asp|title=Thrissur At A Glance |publisher=thrissur.nic.in|access-date=2009-03-12}}</ref> (1 Jul 1949)<ref name="previousdate">Note: This date means the day when the district was initially formed, even before the formation of the state of Kerala. Hence 1 Nov 1956 will be considered as the day of formation of district in the state of Kerala</ref>
| 3,243,170
| {{convert|3027|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}
|align="left"|
*[[Kodungallur]]
*[[Mukundapuram]] ([[Irinjalakuda]])
*[[Chalakudy]]
*[[Chavakkad]]
*[[Thalapilly]] ([[Wadakkancheri]])
*[[Thrissur]]
*[[Kunnamkulam]]<ref name="thrissurnic" />
|[[File:India Kerala Thrissur district.svg|100px]]
|-
| WAY
! scope=row | [[Wayanad district|Wayanad]]
| [[Kalpetta]]
| {{dts|1 Nov 1980}}<ref name="wayanadnic">{{cite web|url=http://wayanad.nic.in/profile.htm|title=Wayanad :profile|publisher=wayanad.nic.in|access-date=2009-03-12}}</ref>
| 846,637
| {{convert|2130|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}
|align="left"|
*[[Mananthavady]]
*[[Sultan Bathery]]
*[[Vythiri]] ([[Kalpetta]])<ref name="wayanadnic" />
|[[File:India Kerala Wayanad district.svg|100px]]
|-
!Total
! 14
! 14
! 14
!34,630,192
!{{convert|38852|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}
! 78
!
|}

==Demand for new districts ==
{{anchor | New | Demand }}

Listed from north to south:

* '''North Kerala'''
** '''Peringome district''' (from southern Kasargod and northern Kannur districts): With in-land Peringome (Peringom) lush green hill station in the northeastern Kannur district as HQ.

** '''Vadakara district''' (from northern Kozhikode district): With costal city Vadakara as HQ.

* '''Central Kerala'''
** '''Tirur district''' (from western/coastal areas of Malappuram district): With the costal Tirur city as HQ. This is the most vocal demand due to Malappuram being the state's most populous district with nearly 4.5 million people. Tirur district would entail the Tirur, Tirurangadi, and Ponnani taluks.<ref name=newdk1>[https://thesouthfirst.com/kerala/old-demand-new-politics-call-for-bifurcating-malappuram-grows-louder Old demand, new politics: Call for bifurcating Malappuram grows louder], thesouthfirst.com, 6 Oct 2025.</ref><ref name=newdk2>[https://keralakaumudi.com/en/news/news.php?id=1651154 Demand for new districts takes centre stage in local body election campaign], keralakaumudi.com, 21 Nov 2025.</ref>

** '''Valluvanad district''' (from southern Malappuram and northern Palakkad districts): With the in-land Perinthalmanna city as HQ.

** '''Irinjalakuda district''' (from southern Thrissur district): With the in-land Irinjalakuda city as HQ halfway between Thrissur and Kochi cities.

** '''Muvattupuzha district''' (from eastern Ernakulam and northern Idukki districts): With the in-land city Muvattupuzha as HQ east of Kochi. The district will entail Muvattupuzha, Kothamangalam, and Kunnathunadu from Ernakulam district as well as the Thodupuzha from Idukki district, to create a dedicated agricultural district separate from the industrial hub of Kochi.<ref name=newdk2/>

* '''South Kerala'''

** '''Mavelikara district''' (from southern Alappuzha, western Pathanamthitta, and northern Kollam districts): With the in-land Mavelikara city as HQ equidistant from Alappuzha, Kollam, and Pathanamthitta cities.<ref name=newdk3>[https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/demand-for-creation-of-new-district-with-mavelikara-as-headquarters-grows-louder/article68542583.ec Demand for creation of new district with Mavelikara as headquarters grows louder], The Hindu, 19 Aug 2024.</ref>

** '''Neyyattinkara district''' (from southern Thiruvananthapuram district): With the in-land Neyyattinkara city as HQ. District will entail the Neyyattinkara and Kattakada taluks. A mass petition with 50,000 signatures was submitted to the Chief Minister as the demand for this new district intensified with the operationalization of the Vizhinjam Port, which is expected to trigger massive regional growth requiring a closer administrative headquarters.<ref name=newdk2/>

==See also==

* [[Government of Kerala]]
* [[Department of Revenue and Land Survey|Revenue Department]] (Kerala)
* [[List of revenue divisions of Kerala]]
* [[List of taluks of Kerala]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{Cite book|title=Mathrubhumi Yearbook Plus - 2019|publisher=P. V. Chandran, Managing Editor, Mathrubhumi Printing & Publishing Company Limited, Kozhikode|year=2018|location=Kozhikode|last=Chandran |first=VP|edition=Malayalam }}

==External links==
{{commons category|Districts of Kerala}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060118031516/http://www.kerala.gov.in/ Official website of Government of Kerala]
{{Clear}}

{{Districts of Kerala}}
{{Districts of India}}
{{Kerala topics}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Districts in Kerala, List of}}
[[Category:Districts of Kerala| ]]
[[Category:Lists of districts in India|Kerala]]
[[Category:Kerala geography-related lists]]

List of districts of Kerala - Revision history

Scrapuncle at 07:14, 22 March 2026