Tamil Nadu is one of India’s most developed and culturally rich states. Located in the southern part of the country, it has a long history, strong administrative structure, and diverse geography. To manage governance efficiently, the state is divided into districts, which act as key administrative units.
As of today, Tamil Nadu has 38 districts. Each district plays an important role in administration, development, and public services.
In this blog, you will find the complete Tamil Nadu state districts list, along with useful information about their importance, history, and administrative structure.
What Is a District in Tamil Nadu?
A district is the basic administrative division in Tamil Nadu.
Each district is governed by a District Collector, who represents the state government.
District administrations handle:
- Law and order
- Revenue collection
- Public welfare schemes
- Infrastructure development
- Disaster management
Because of population growth and administrative needs, Tamil Nadu has created new districts over time.
How Many Districts Are There in Tamil Nadu?
Tamil Nadu currently has 38 districts.
Earlier, the state had fewer districts. However, several new districts were formed to improve governance and service delivery.
The most recent additions helped reduce administrative burden and improved access to government services in rural areas.
The list of districts in Tamil Nadu is given below, this is updated list including recent additions happened few years ago. Along with district list, we have also provided Head Quarters of each districts, Area of the districts, and respective population.
| Sino | District | Head Quarters | Area in Sq. Km | Population |
| 1 | Ariyalur | Ariyalur | 2028 | 754,894 |
| 2 | Chengalpet | Chengalpattu | 2803 | 2,556,244 |
| 3 | Chennai | Chennai | 462 | 4,646,732 |
| 4 | Coimbatore | Coimbatore | 4951 | 3,458,045 |
| 5 | Cuddalore | Cuddalore | 3870 | 2,605,914 |
| 6 | Dharmapuri | Dharmapuri | 4736 | 1,506,843 |
| 7 | Dindigul | Dindigul | 6289 | 2,159,775 |
| 8 | Erode | Erode | 6036 | 2,251,744 |
| 9 | Kallakurichi | Kallakurichi | 3441 | 1,370,281 |
| 10 | Kancheepuram | Kancheepuram | 1800 | 1,166,401 |
| 11 | Karur | Karur | 3022 | 1,064,493 |
| 12 | Krishnagiri | Krishnagiri | 5414 | 1,883,731 |
| 13 | Madurai | Madurai | 3846 | 3,038,252 |
| 14 | Mayiladuthurai | Mayiladuthurai | 1237 | 85,632 |
| 15 | Nagapattinam | Nagapattinam | 1459 | 1,616,450 |
| 16 | Kanyakumari | Nagercoil | 1729 | 1,870,374 |
| 17 | Namakkal | Namakkal | 3573 | 1,726,601 |
| 18 | Perambalur | Perambalur | 1837 | 565,223 |
| 19 | Pudukottai | Pudukkottai | 4848 | 1,618,345 |
| 20 | Ramanathapuram | Ramanathapuram | 4243 | 1,353,445 |
| 21 | Ranipet | Ranipet | 2234 | 1,210,277 |
| 22 | Salem | Salem | 5205 | 3,482,056 |
| 23 | Sivagangai | Sivagangai | 4086 | 1,339,101 |
| 24 | Tenkasi | Tenkasi | 2916 | 1,407,627 |
| 25 | Thanjavur | Thanjavur | 3397 | 2,405,890 |
| 26 | Theni | Theni | 3066 | 1,245,899 |
| 27 | Thiruvallur | Thiruvallur | 3444 | 3,728,104 |
| 28 | Thiruvarur | Thiruvarur | 2161 | 1,264,277 |
| 29 | Tuticorin | Thoothukudi | 4621 | 1,750,176 |
| 30 | Trichirappalli | Tiruchirappalli | 4407 | 2,722,290 |
| 31 | Thirunelveli | Tirunelveli | 3842 | 1,665,253 |
| 32 | Tirupathur | Tirupathur | 1793 | 1,111,812 |
| 33 | Tiruppur | Tiruppur | 5186 | 2,479,052 |
| 34 | Tiruvannamalai | Tiruvannamalai | 6191 | 2,464,875 |
| 35 | The Nilgiris | Udagamandalam (Ooty) | 2453 | 735,394 |
| 36 | Vellore | Vellore | 2222 | 1,614,242 |
| 37 | Viluppuram | Viluppuram | 3726 | 2,093,003 |
| 38 | Virudhunagar | Virudhunagar | 4288 | 1,942,288 |
- Population data based on the census data for the year 2011
Newly Formed Districts in Tamil Nadu
Over the past few years, Tamil Nadu created new districts to improve governance.
Some of the recently formed districts include:
- Chengalpattu
- Kallakurichi
- Mayiladuthurai
- Ranipet
- Tenkasi
- Tirupathur
These districts were carved out of larger ones to reduce population pressure and improve service delivery.
Importance of Districts in Tamil Nadu Administration
Districts form the backbone of Tamil Nadu’s governance system.
They help the state government implement policies efficiently.
They also ensure faster delivery of welfare schemes.
Each district has several administrative divisions, such as:
- Taluks
- Revenue villages
- Panchayat unions
- Municipalities
This layered structure ensures that governance reaches the grassroots level.
Largest and Smallest Districts in Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu districts vary greatly in size and population.
Largest District by Area
- Viluppuram (before bifurcation it was the largest)
Most Populous District
- Chennai
Least Populous District
- Perambalur
These differences affect planning, development, and resource allocation.
Districts Based on Geography
Tamil Nadu has diverse geography, which influences district characteristics.
Coastal Districts
- Chennai
- Chengalpattu
- Cuddalore
- Nagapattinam
- Thoothukudi
- Ramanathapuram
- Kanyakumari
Hill Districts
- Nilgiris
- Theni
- Dindigul
Industrial Districts
- Coimbatore
- Tiruppur
- Chennai
- Erode
This diversity supports agriculture, tourism, industry, and trade.
Role of District Collectors in Tamil Nadu
The District Collector is the chief administrative officer of a district.
Key responsibilities include:
- Implementing government schemes
- Maintaining law and order
- Conducting elections
- Managing disaster response
- Overseeing revenue administration
Collectors act as a bridge between the state government and local bodies.
Why Knowing the Tamil Nadu Districts List Is Important
Understanding the districts of Tamil Nadu is useful for many reasons.
Students need it for exams and competitive tests.
Businesses use it for regional planning.
Travelers benefit while planning trips.
Government beneficiaries identify local offices easily.
Because of these reasons, district knowledge remains essential.
Tamil Nadu Districts for Competitive Exams
Questions related to Tamil Nadu districts often appear in:
- TNPSC exams
- UPSC prelims
- SSC exams
- Banking exams
- State-level recruitment tests
Knowing district names, headquarters, and formation years helps candidates score better.
Official Source for Tamil Nadu District Information
For accurate and updated district information, always refer to official sources.
You can visit the Government of Tamil Nadu official portal here:
https://www.tn.gov.in/
This website provides verified administrative data and updates.
Future Changes in Tamil Nadu Districts
Tamil Nadu may create more districts in the future.
Population growth and urban expansion drive this need.
The government evaluates administrative feasibility before making changes.
Any new district formation aims to improve governance and accessibility.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many districts are there in Tamil Nadu currently?
Tamil Nadu currently has 38 districts.
2. Which is the newest district in Tamil Nadu?
Mayiladuthurai is one of the newest districts formed in recent years.
3. Which district is the capital of Tamil Nadu?
Chennai district serves as the capital of Tamil Nadu.
4. Which district is the smallest in Tamil Nadu?
Perambalur is one of the smallest districts by population.
5. Are Tamil Nadu districts important for TNPSC exams?
Yes. District-related questions are very important for TNPSC and other exams.
6. Where can I find official district updates?
You can check updates on the official Tamil Nadu government website.