How Many District in Maharashtra–Full List with Divisions & Populations

How Many District in Maharashtra? Maharashtra has 36 districts divided across 6 revenue divisions, each with administrative, cultural, and economic importance. From Mumbai City, the smallest but richest district, to Ahmednagar, the largest by area, this blog outlines their names, sizes, and proposed future districts as of 2025.

Districts form the backbone of Maharashtra’s governance, differing in size, population, economic activity, and development levels. Every district is led by a District Collector, who plays a vital role in maintaining law and order, implementing government policies, and overseeing all aspects of local administration. To ensure smooth governance, districts are divided into talukas, towns, and villages, creating a well-structured administrative framework. This hierarchical system allows for efficient delivery of public services, coordination of development programs, and monitoring socio-economic progress across the state.

By dividing the state into these administrative units, Maharashtra ensures governance reaches every community, facilitating equitable growth, strengthening local institutions, and promoting inclusive development. Such a system helps address regional needs effectively while maintaining law, order, and public welfare throughout the state.

Exploring Maharashtra

1. Historical Origins

On May 1, 1960, the state of Maharashtra, meaning “The Great State,” was established. But its history goes way back. Many ancient empires like the Mauryas, Satavahanas, Chalukyas, and the powerful Marathas have ruled this land. Chatrapati Shivaji, a legendary figure, led the Maratha Empire and left a lasting legacy. This rich history is a big part of what makes Maharashtra what it is today.

2. Geographical Diversity

Maharashtra is a fascinating state with beautiful nature and bustling city life. From the famous skyline of Mumbai to the peaceful hills, it offers a wide range of experiences. Do you have any specific questions about Maharashtra? Its diversity helps create vibrant agriculture and unique landscapes.

3. The Western Ghats

The Western Ghats in Maharashtra are a beautiful mountain range with many plants and animals. It’s an excellent place for people who love nature and want to trek. It’s a peaceful escape from city life.

4. Urban Hubs

In Maharashtra, you’ll find lively cities like Mumbai and Pune. People recognize Mumbai as the “City of Dreams” as a central hub for finance and entertainment. It’s a diverse and bustling place with a big film industry. Pune is famous for its schools and a center for new ideas and technology.

5. Vidarbha’s Arid Landscapes

In the eastern part of Maharashtra, Vidarbha looks very different with its dry landscapes. The area has some challenges because of its semi-dry climate, but it’s still an essential place for farming. Farmers in Vidarbha are good at growing crops in these conditions, which helps the state’s agriculture.

6. Agricultural Wealth

Maharashtra has different types of land for farming. They grow rice and sugarcane in the flat areas and grapes and oranges in the hilly regions. Maharashtra is vital for India’s food. It has cities, nature, and dry places like the Western Ghats. Maharashtra shows how India can be different and still do well.

7. Economic Powerhouse

Mumbai, situated in Maharashtra, is India’s financial capital. Maharashtra contributes 14% to India’s total economic output, known as Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Its strong economy comes from its location, industries, business centers like Mumbai, and the services sector.”

8. Historical Treasures: The Forts

The state of Maharashtra has 350 forts. Each of these forts has its own story and history. Some famous ones are Raigad, Sinhagad, and Pratapgad. These forts are like time machines that take us back to different times and battles. They’re not just old walls; they’re like windows to the past.

In a nutshell, Maharashtra is a land of history, diverse landscapes, economic strength, and an abundance of forts. It continues to play a crucial role in India’s growth and has a rich cultural tapestry worth exploring.

Administrative Divisions of Maharashtra

The Maharashtra state is divided into 6 revenue divisions, each consisting of multiple districts:

Revenue Division	Districts
Amravati	Akola, Amravati, Buldhana, Washim, Yavatmal
Aurangabad	Aurangabad, Beed, Hingoli, Jalna, Latur, Nanded, Osmanabad, Parbhani
Konkan	Mumbai City, Mumbai Suburban, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Thane, Sindhudurg
Nagpur	Bhandara, Nagpur, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, Gondia, Wardha
Nashik	Ahmednagar, Dhule, Jalgaon, Nandurbar, Nashik
Pune	Kolhapur, Pune, Sangli, Satara, Solapur

How Many District in Maharashtra’s Marathwada region?

Marathwada is a proposed state and geographical area of Maharashtra, India. During the Nizam regime, it became a part of the then Hyderabad state. The region is the same as the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra. Its historical and cultural importance defines its location in the state’s southeastern part.

Marathwada District List

District	Area (km²)
Aurangabad	10,100
Beed	10,693
Jalna	7,687
Dharashiv	7,569
Nanded	10,528
Latur	7,157
Parbhani	6,251
Hingoli	4,526

If you are curious about the number of districts in Maharashtra, here is a table showing the list of 36 districts in Maharashtra state, along with their sizes and populations.

No	District	Area (in sq. km)	Population
1	Ahmednagar	17,048	4,543,159
2	Akola	5,431	1,818,617
3	Amravati	12,235	2,888,445
4	Aurangabad	10,100	3,695,928
5	Beed	10,693	2,585,303
6	Bhandara	3,819	1,200,334
7	Buldhana	9,661	2,586,258
8	Chandrapur	11,443	2,204,307
9	Dhule	8,063	2,050,862
10	Gadchiroli	14,412	1,072,942
11	Gondia	5,431	1,322,331
12	Hingoli	4,526	1,177,345
13	Jalgaon	11,765	4,224,442
14	Jalna	7,718	1,959,046
15	Kolhapur	7,685	3,876,001
16	Latur	7,157	2,454,196
17	Mumbai City	157	3,085,411
18	Mumbai Suburban	369	9,356,962
19	Nagpur	9,892	4,653,171
20	Nanded	10,529	3,361,292
21	Nandurbar	5,099	1,648,295
22	Nashik	15,530	6,107,187
23	Osmanabad	7,569	1,660,311
24	Palghar	8,395	2,990,116
25	Parbhani	6,224	1,835,982
26	Pune	15,642	9,426,959
27	Raigad	7,152	2,634,200
28	Ratnagiri	8,208	1,612,672
29	Sangli	8,572	2,822,143
30	Satara	10,480	3,003,741
31	Sindhudurg	5,207	849,651
32	Solapur	14,895	4,317,756
33	Thane	9,558	11,060,148
34	Wardha	6,309	1,300,774
35	Washim	5,150	1,196,714
36	Yavatmal	13,582	2,772,348

Maharashtra Map with Districts

A detailed Maharashtra district map showcases all 36 districts and their unique characteristics, making exploring the state’s diverse regions easy.

Timeline of District in Maharashtra

The government of Maharashtra added a few more districts over time to the 26 districts in Maharashtra that existed in the newly created Indian state of Maharashtra in 1960. Here’s the Maharashtra district timeline.

How Many Districts in Maharashtra in 1960

There were about 26 Districts in Maharashtra before 1960, and below is the Maharashtra district list.

Yavatmal	Wardha
Thane	Solapur
Satara	Sangli
Ratnagiri	Raigad
Pune	Parbhani
Osmanabad	Nashik
Nanded	Nagpur
Mumbai City	Kolhapur
Jalgaon	Dhule
Bhandara	Beed
Aurangabad	Amravati
Ahmadnagar	Akola
Chandrapur	Buldhana

Maharashtra Districts added after 1960

Year	Districts in Maharashtra added after 1960
1981	Districts of Jalna and Sindhudurg were added.
1982	The districts of Latur and Gadchiroli were included.
1990	The district of Mumbai Suburban was created.
1998	Washim and Nandurbar districts were added.
1999	Hingoli and Gondia districts were established.
2014	The district of Palghar was included

Which is the Smallest District in Maharashtra?

Mumbai City District is the smallest district of Maharashtra, covering just 157 square kilometers. It’s home to Mumbai, India’s financial hub, with about 21.3 million people. The financial sector, Bollywood, and historical landmarks like the Gateway of India and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus make the district well-known.

The Mumbai City District may be small but significantly impacts Maharashtra and the whole country. It’s an important financial and cultural center with a large population, making it a standout district in Maharashtra.

Which is the Largest District in Maharashtra?

Ahmednagar is the largest district in Maharashtra, known for its rich history and culture. It’s famous for the Shirdi Sai Baba Temple, a popular pilgrimage site. The district also has forts, monuments, and historical sites from the Maratha Empire. People also know Ahmednagar for its agriculture. It’s a great place to explore Maharashtra’s diverse heritage.

What are the New Districts in Maharashtra?

Maharashtra, a state known for its diverse landscape and growing population, is considering creating new districts to make governing and administration easier. Here’s the Maharashtra district list, along with some details about each:

• Nashik District (from Malegaon & Kalwan): Proposed from Malegaon and Kalwan.
• Thane District (from Mira-Bhainder & Kalyan): Expands by incorporating these areas.
• Buldana District (from Khamgaon): Encompasses regions known for agriculture and cotton.
• Achalpur District (from Amravati): Formed from Amravati, known for education and culture.
• Sakoli District (from Bhandara): Rich in forestry and natural resources.
• Chimur District (from Chandrapur): Separate from Chandrapur, it is known for coal and wildlife.
• Aheri District (from Gadchiroli): Part of Maharashtra’s tribal belt.
• Bhusawal District (from Jalgaon): Agricultural and industrial hub.
• Udgir District (from Latur): Culturally and historically significant.
• Ambejogai District (from Beed): Known for its religious and historical importance.
• Kinwat District (from Nanded): Rich historical background.
• Mandesh District (from Satara): Famous for strawberries and culture.

Geographical, Economic, and Cultural Significance of Maharashtra Districts

District	Geographical Significance	Economic Significance	Cultural Significance
Mumbai City	Coastal area, India’s financial hub	Finance, entertainment industry	Cosmopolitan lifestyle, center for Bollywood
Mumbai Suburban	Urban sprawl along the coast	Residential zones, commercial centers	Cultural diversity, bustling urban environment
Thane	Coastal and hilly regions	IT sector, industrial development	Heritage sites, vibrant festivals
Palghar	Coastal belt with forest cover	Tourism, industrial expansion	Tribal heritage, scenic beauty
Raigad	Coastal area with forts	Agriculture, tourism, and industries	Historical monuments, coastal lifestyle
Ratnagiri	Scenic beaches along the coast	Mango farming, fishing, tourism	Konkan cuisine, traditional arts
Sindhudurg	Pristine beaches, coastal environment	Agriculture, fishing, tourism	Ancient forts, temples, local crafts
Pune	Hilly region with fertile plains	Education, IT, manufacturing	Renowned for classical music and institutions
Satara	Hilly and fertile terrain	Agriculture, tourism, industries	Historical sites, hill stations
Sangli	Riverbank location, fertile plains	Sugarcane farming, industries	Religious festivals, temples
Kolhapur	Fertile land, known for heritage sites	Agriculture (jaggery), manufacturing	Wrestling culture, Kolhapuri cuisine
Solapur	Arid plains, historic importance	Textiles, agriculture	Religious fairs, local festivals
Nashik	Hilly area, vineyards	Wine production, agriculture	Kumbh Mela, pilgrimage tourism
Dhule	Agricultural landscape, riverside	Cotton farming, small industries	Local crafts, traditional fairs
Nandurbar	Hilly region, tribal population	Handicrafts, agriculture	Tribal traditions, festive events
Jalgaon	Agricultural plains by rivers	Banana and cotton farming, industries	Ajanta caves, pilgrimage sites
Ahmednagar	Fertile plains with heritage landmarks	Grapes and sugarcane farming, industries	Historic monuments, religious events
Aurangabad	Hilly area, UNESCO heritage sites	Tourism, auto-manufacturing sector	Cultural festivals, heritage tourism
Jalna	Agricultural land, historical relevance	Pharmaceutical industries, agriculture	Historic monuments, cultural festivals
Beed	Arid region with historical importance	Agriculture, small industries	Ancient forts, cultural heritage
Osmanabad	Arid plains with notable landmarks	Small-scale industries, agriculture	Folk arts, historic sites
Nanded	Fertile land, pilgrimage significance	Religious tourism, agriculture	Sikh pilgrimage center, historical significance
Latur	Arid plains with educational relevance	Agriculture, educational institutions	Historic forts, traditional music
Hingoli	Arid terrain with historic landmarks	Small industries, agriculture	Local festivals, cultural heritage
Parbhani	Arid plains, historic background	Education, agriculture	Cultural events, monuments
Amravati	River plains, cotton-growing region	Agriculture, manufacturing	Cultural activities, historical sites
Akola	Plains along rivers	Cotton industries, agriculture	Cultural festivals, monuments
Yavatmal	Plains and riverside terrain	Cotton and soybean farming, industries	Folk arts, local celebrations
Buldhana	Agricultural land along rivers	Industry, agriculture	Religious and historical sites
Washim	Plains by rivers	Agriculture, small industries	Local fairs, historical landmarks
Nagpur	Central location, “Orange City”	Trade, education, industries	Cultural events, historic landmarks
Wardha	Agricultural land with historic sites	Textile industries, agriculture	Gandhian heritage, cultural events
Bhandara	Forested land near rivers	Agriculture, industry	Wildlife sanctuaries, tribal culture
Gondia	Forested area by rivers	Agriculture, small-scale industries	Traditional crafts, wildlife sanctuaries
Chandrapur	Forested terrain with minerals	Mining, agriculture, industry	Wildlife sanctuaries, local festivals
Gadchiroli	Dense forests with tribal populations	Agriculture, forest produce	Eco-tourism, tribal culture

Interesting Facts About Maharashtra

• Cultural and Historical Hub: Maharashtra is a melting pot of cultures, languages, and traditions. Festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi and Gudi Padwa are celebrated enthusiastically across the state. Its rich history is reflected in landmarks such as the Ajanta and Ellora caves, Shivaji Maharaj’s forts, and Pune’s Peshwa heritage, making it a significant cultural and historical tourism center.
• Economic Powerhouse: Maharashtra boasts the largest economy among Indian states, fueled by industries like technology, entertainment, finance, and agriculture. Cities like Mumbai serve as financial hubs, while industrial areas contribute to manufacturing, making the state a key driver of India’s economic growth.
• Geographical Diversity: The state offers varied landscapes, from the lush hills of the Western Ghats to scenic coastal beaches. Hill stations like Lonavala and Mahabaleshwar attract tourists for their natural beauty, while wildlife sanctuaries such as Tadoba, Pench, and Sanjay Gandhi National Park showcase Maharashtra’s rich biodiversity.
• Entertainment Capital: Mumbai, the state’s capital, is the heart of Bollywood, India’s largest film industry. Known as the Gateway of India, Mumbai is also a major tourist attraction, drawing visitors worldwide.
• Cuisine and Agriculture: Maharashtra is famous for its diverse cuisine, including spicy misal pav and sweet puran poli. The state is also an agricultural leader, producing crops like sugarcane, cotton, and grapes, contributing significantly to India’s food and economic resources.

Latest Updates: Proposed New Districts in Maharashtra

• In a significant move to enhance administrative efficiency, the Maharashtra government is set to divide existing districts into 21 new ones.
• This proposal aims to improve governance and accelerate local development across the state.
• An official announcement regarding this major administrative reform is expected on January 26, 2025.

Conclusion

In summary, this article explains how many district in Maharashtra are there and highlights their unique significance. Maharashtra’s 36 districts reflect a rich cultural, historical, and economic development blend. Each district has its own character, from the bustling urban life of Mumbai to the tranquil villages along the Konkan coast. While Ahmednagar, the largest district by area, is known for its agricultural and religious importance, Thane stands out as the most populated, representing the state’s rapid urbanization and industrial growth. Smaller districts like Sindhudurg and Bhandara showcase Maharashtra’s natural beauty and biodiversity. Beyond administrative purposes, these districts preserve heritage, foster economic activity, and promote regional identity.

Discussions about proposed new districts demonstrate the state’s focus on improving governance and accessibility. Overall, the districts of Maharashtra symbolize the state’s harmony between tradition and modernity, combining historical landmarks, thriving cities, and scenic landscapes. By understanding how many districts in Maharashtra exist, readers gain insight into each region’s diversity, culture, and importance.

Read More:-

• How Many Districts in Karnataka? | An Overview
• How Many Districts in West Bengal? Brief Overview
• How Many Districts in India: State Wise List of Districts

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