Tamil Nadu, a vibrant state in southeastern India, is administratively divided into 38 districts (as of 2024), each governed by a District Collector (Deputy Commissioner) who oversees development, revenue, and local governance. The state recently expanded its administrative structure with the addition of new districts, including Chengalpattu, Tenkasi, Ranipet, Tirupathur, Kallakurichi, and Mayiladuthurai, to enhance decentralized governance.
Alongside the two previously carved-out districts of Ariyalur and Tirupur, Tamil Nadu’s districts are further subdivided into Taluks (administrative blocks), ensuring efficient grassroots administration. Below is the updated list of all 38 districts, along with their respective Taluks and key regional details.
| No. | District | Headquarters | Area (km²) | Population (2011 Census) | Major Taluks (Subdivisions) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ariyalur | Ariyalur | 1,949 | 754,894 | Ariyalur, Udayarpalayam, Sendurai |
| 2 | Chennai | Chennai | 426 | 7,088,000 | Egmore, Tondiarpet, Ambattur, etc. |
| 3 | Coimbatore | Coimbatore | 4,723 | 3,472,578 | Coimbatore North, South, Sulur, Pollachi |
| 4 | Cuddalore | Cuddalore | 3,703 | 2,600,880 | Cuddalore, Chidambaram, Panruti |
| 5 | Dharmapuri | Dharmapuri | 4,497 | 1,502,900 | Dharmapuri, Harur, Palacode |
| 6 | Dindigul | Dindigul | 6,058 | 2,161,367 | Dindigul, Palani, Oddanchatram |
| 7 | Erode | Erode | 5,714 | 2,259,608 | Erode, Gobichettipalayam, Bhavani |
| 8 | Kallakurichi | Kallakurichi | 3,520 | 1,370,281 | Kallakurichi, Sankarapuram, Ulundurpet |
| 9 | Kanchipuram | Kanchipuram | 4,483 | 3,998,252 | Kanchipuram, Sriperumbudur, Uthiramerur |
| 10 | Karur | Karur | 2,901 | 1,076,588 | Karur, Kulithalai, Krishnarayapuram |
| 11 | Krishnagiri | Krishnagiri | 5,086 | 1,883,731 | Krishnagiri, Hosur, Pochampalli |
| 12 | Madurai | Madurai | 3,741 | 3,991,038 | Madurai North, South, Melur, Usilampatti |
| 13 | Mayiladuthurai | Mayiladuthurai | 1,172 | 918,356 | Mayiladuthurai, Sirkali, Tharangambadi |
| 14 | Nagapattinam | Nagapattinam | 2,716 | 1,614,069 | Nagapattinam, Kilvelur, Vedaranyam |
| 15 | Namakkal | Namakkal | 3,429 | 1,721,179 | Namakkal, Tiruchengode, Rasipuram |
| 16 | Nilgiris | Ooty (Udhagamandalam) | 2,565 | 735,071 | Ooty, Coonoor, Gudalur |
| 17 | Perambalur | Perambalur | 1,752 | 565,223 | Perambalur, Kunnam, Veppanthattai |
| 18 | Pudukkottai | Pudukkottai | 4,651 | 1,618,345 | Pudukkottai, Alangudi, Aranthangi |
| 19 | Ramanathapuram | Ramanathapuram | 4,123 | 1,337,560 | Ramanathapuram, Rameswaram, Paramakudi |
| 20 | Ranipet | Ranipet | 2,234 | 1,210,277 | Ranipet, Arcot, Nemili |
| 21 | Salem | Salem | 5,245 | 3,480,008 | Salem, Attur, Mettur |
| 22 | Sivaganga | Sivaganga | 4,189 | 1,341,250 | Sivaganga, Karaikudi, Devakottai |
| 23 | Tenkasi | Tenkasi | 1,424 | 1,407,627 | Tenkasi, Shenkottai, Kadayanallur |
| 24 | Thanjavur | Thanjavur | 3,397 | 2,402,781 | Thanjavur, Kumbakonam, Pattukkottai |
| 25 | Theni | Theni | 2,889 | 1,245,899 | Theni, Bodinayakkanur, Periyakulam |
| 26 | Thoothukudi | Thoothukudi | 4,745 | 1,738,376 | Thoothukudi, Kovilpatti, Tiruchendur |
| 27 | Tiruchirappalli | Tiruchirappalli | 4,404 | 2,713,858 | Trichy, Lalgudi, Musiri |
| 28 | Tirunelveli | Tirunelveli | 6,703 | 3,077,233 | Tirunelveli, Ambasamudram, Sankarankovil |
| 29 | Tirupathur | Tirupathur | 1,792 | 1,111,812 | Tirupathur, Vaniyambadi, Natrampalli |
| 30 | Tiruppur | Tiruppur | 5,191 | 2,479,052 | Tiruppur, Avinashi, Palladam |
| 31 | Tiruvallur | Tiruvallur | 3,424 | 3,725,697 | Tiruvallur, Ponneri, Gummidipoondi |
| 32 | Tiruvannamalai | Tiruvannamalai | 6,191 | 2,468,965 | Tiruvannamalai, Arani, Chengam |
| 33 | Tiruvarur | Tiruvarur | 2,377 | 1,268,094 | Tiruvarur, Mannargudi, Nannilam |
| 34 | Vellore | Vellore | 6,077 | 3,928,106 | Vellore, Arakkonam, Gudiyatham |
| 35 | Viluppuram | Viluppuram | 7,217 | 3,463,284 | Viluppuram, Tindivanam, Kallakurichi |
| 36 | Virudhunagar | Virudhunagar | 4,288 | 1,943,309 | Virudhunagar, Sivakasi, Aruppukkottai |
| 37 | Chengalpattu | Chengalpattu | 2,945 | 2,556,244 | Chengalpattu, Tambaram, Madurantakam |
| 38 | Tirupattur | Tirupattur | 1,792 | 1,111,812 | Tirupattur, Vaniyambadi, Natrampalli |
Key Notes:
- Population Data: Based on the 2011 Census (latest official data; 2021 Census delayed).
- New Districts (Post-2019): Tenkasi, Ranipet, Tirupathur, Kallakurichi, Mayiladuthurai, Chengalpattu.
- Area: Some districts like Chennai are urban-centric, while Viluppuram is the largest by area.
- Taluks: Only major taluks listed; some districts have 10+ subdivisions.
FAQ’s
Tamil Nadu currently has 38 districts. The newest additions (post-2019) include Chengalpattu, Tenkasi, Ranipet, Tirupathur, Kallakurichi, and Mayiladuthurai.
Viluppuram (7,217 km²) is the largest district, followed by Tirunelveli (6,703 km²). The smallest is Chennai (426 km²).
Chennai (~7.1 million per the 2011 Census) is the most populous. Coimbatore and Madurai follow closely.
The 6 newest districts (carved out between 2019–2021) are:
1. Tenkasi (from Tirunelveli)
2. Ranipet (from Vellore)
3. Tirupathur (from Vellore)
4. Kallakurichi (from Viluppuram)
5. Mayiladuthurai (from Nagapattinam)
6. Chengalpattu (from Kanchipuram)
Coimbatore (textiles, engineering) and Hosur (automobiles, electronics in Krishnagiri district) are major industrial zones. Tiruppur is the “Knitwear Capital of India.
Top tourist-friendly districts:
– Kancheepuram (temples)
– Nilgiris (Ooty, hill stations)
– Madurai (Meenakshi Temple)
– Ramanathapuram (Rameswaram)
– Tirunelveli (Courtallam waterfalls)
Chennai (IIT-M, Anna University) and Tiruchirappalli (NIT, BHEL) are top educational centers. Coimbatore also has reputed engineering colleges.
To improve administrative efficiency, ensure better governance in remote areas, and boost regional development (e.g., Tenkasi was carved out for easier access to hilly regions).
