When you prepare for Assam-based competitive exams, Assam GK plays an important role in your score. Among all static topics, the Districts of Assam and Their Headquarters remain one of the most frequently asked areas. If you master this topic once, you can score easy and guaranteed marks in exams like APSC, ADRE, Assam Police, TET, SSC, Railways, and other Assam state-level examinations. In this article, we will discuss the total number of districts in Assam, the complete list of districts, and the headquarters, newly created districts in Assam, important issues and special features of major districts, the satellite city concept in Assam, and exam tips for Assam GK preparation
How Many Districts Are There in Assam?
Assam is currently divided into 35 administrative districts. The boundaries of these districts are largely defined by natural features such as rivers, hills, forests, and other geographical factors. Many of the newly created districts were earlier sub-divisions of older districts before being upgraded to ensure better governance and administrative efficiency.
On 15 August 2015, three new districts—Charaideo, South Salmara–Mankachar, and West Karbi Anglong—were formed, increasing the total number of districts from 27 at that time. Later, on 27 June 2016, Majuli was declared a separate district. Carved out from the northern part of Jorhat, Majuli became India’s first river island district.
In terms of area, Karbi Anglong is the largest district of Assam, covering approximately 10,434 square kilometres (undivided area), followed by Sonitpur with around 5,324 square kilometres.
Regional Divisions of Assam
For administrative convenience, the districts of Assam are grouped under five regional divisions. These divisions and their respective offices are as follows:
1. Barak Valley Division
- Divisional Office: Silchar
- Districts: Cachar, Hailakandi, Karimganj
2. Central Assam Division
- Divisional Office: Nagaon
- Districts: Dima Hasao, East Karbi Anglong, West Karbi Anglong, Morigaon, Nagaon
3. Lower Assam Division
- Divisional Office: Guwahati
- Districts: Baksa, Barpeta, Bongaigaon, Chirang, Dhubri, Goalpara, Nalbari, Kamrup Metropolitan, Kamrup (Rural), Kokrajhar, South Salmara–Mankachar
4. North Assam Division
- Divisional Office: Tezpur
- Districts: Darrang, Sonitpur, Udalguri
5. Upper Assam Division
- Divisional Office: Jorhat
- Districts: Charaideo, Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, Golaghat, Jorhat, Lakhimpur, Majuli, Sivasagar, Tinsukia
Role of the Deputy Commissioner
Each district in Assam is headed by a Deputy Commissioner (DC). Generally, an officer from the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) is appointed to this position. However, officers from the Assam Civil Service (ACS) may also serve as Deputy Commissioners.
The Deputy Commissioner performs multiple roles:
- Acts as Collector in revenue matters
- Serves as District Magistrate for maintaining law and order
- Functions as District Election Officer during elections
- Oversees general district administration
The DC is supported by several officials, including:
- Additional Deputy Commissioners (ADC)
- Sub-Divisional Officers (SDO)
- Extra Assistant Commissioners (EAC)
- Additional Deputy Magistrates (ADM)
- Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDM)
- Executive Magistrates (EM)
Revenue Administration
Revenue administration in the district involves:
- Assessment and collection of land revenue
- Land registration and mutation
- Management of both private and government land
The Revenue Branch of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, supervised by the Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue), manages these responsibilities. Additionally, there are multiple Revenue Circles within a district, each headed by a Circle Officer.
Law and Order Administration
For maintaining law and order, the Deputy Commissioner acts as the District Magistrate. The DC works closely with:
- Additional Deputy Magistrates
- Sub-Divisional Magistrates
- Executive Magistrates
- Circle Officers
The Superintendent of Police (SP) heads the district police administration. The District Magistrate and other magistrates coordinate with the police department whenever required to ensure peace and public safety.
Developmental Responsibilities
As the head of district administration, the Deputy Commissioner supervises overall development activities. The DC monitors and implements various government schemes and funds, including:
- MP’s Local Area Development Fund (MPLAD)
- MLA Local Area Development Fund
- Untied Funds
- Sub-Divisional Plan Scheme Funds
- Border Area Development Programme
Through these mechanisms, district administration plays a crucial role in governance, development, and public service delivery across Assam.
Complete List of Districts of Assam and Their Headquarters
Below is the updated and exam-relevant information of the Districts of Assam and Their Headquarters:
| District | Headquarters |
| Baksa | Mushalpur |
| Barpeta | Barpeta |
| Bajali | Pathsala |
| Biswanath | Biswanath Chariali |
| Bongaigaon | Bongaigaon |
| Cachar | Silchar |
| Charaideo | Sonari |
| Chirang | Kajalgaon |
| Darrang | Mangaldoi |
| Dhemaji | Dhemaji |
| Dhubri | Dhubri |
| Dibrugarh | Dibrugarh |
| Dima Hasao | Haflong |
| Goalpara | Goalpara |
| Golaghat | Golaghat |
| Hailakandi | Hailakandi |
| Hojai | Sankardev Nagar |
| Jorhat | Jorhat |
| Kamrup | Amingaon |
| Kamrup Metropolitan | Guwahati |
| Karbi Anglong | Diphu |
| Kokrajhar | Kokrajhar |
| Lakhimpur | North Lakhimpur |
| Majuli | Garamur |
| Morigaon | Morigaon |
| Nagaon | Nagaon |
| Nalbari | Nalbari |
| Sivasagar | Sivasagar |
| Sonitpur | Tezpur |
| South Salmara–Mankachar | Hatsingimari |
| Tinsukia | Tinsukia |
| Udalguri | Udalguri |
| West Karbi Anglong | Hamren |
| Tamulpur | Tamulpur |
Exam Strategy: If you are preparing for any recruitment drive exam of Assam, you must know this and do this by heart. Practice match-the-following questions and mock tests.
Newly Created Districts in Assam
The Government of Assam created several new districts to improve administrative efficiency and bring governance closer to people. These districts hold high exam importance.
Important Newly Created Districts:
- Biswanath (2015)
- Charaideo (2015)
- Majuli (2016) – First river island district in India
- Hojai (2016)
- South Salmara–Mankachar (2016)
- West Karbi Anglong (2016)
- Bajali (2021)
- Tamulpur (2022)
👉 Questions like “Which is the newest district of Assam?” or “When was Majuli declared a district?” are common in APSC and ADRE.
Major Districts and Their Important Issues
Understanding district-specific issues helps in both Prelims and Mains examinations.
Kamrup Metropolitan (Guwahati)
- Headquarters: Guwahati
- The largest urban centre of Assam
- Gateway to Northeast India
- Issues: Urban flooding, traffic congestion, rapid population growth
Guwahati also serves as the commercial and educational hub of the state.
Dibrugarh
- Known as the “Tea City of India”
- Major oil and tea production centre
- Issues: Flood and riverbank erosion
Dhemaji
- Severely affected by annual floods
- Located near the Brahmaputra River
- Often appears in disaster management-related questions
Majuli
- World’s largest river island
- Famous for Vaishnavite Satras
- Faces severe erosion due to the Brahmaputra
Charaideo
- Known for Ahom-era maidams (royal burial mounds)
- Important from a historical and cultural perspective
Dima Hasao
- Hill district of Assam
- Headquarters: Haflong
- Issues: Connectivity challenges, landslides
Kokrajhar
- Headquarters of Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR)
- Important in Assam’s political geography
Satellite City in Assam
The concept of a satellite city aims to reduce population pressure on Guwahati.
Jagiroad – Proposed Satellite City
The Government of Assam has proposed Jagiroad (Morigaon district) as a satellite township to decongest Guwahati. Major industrial and infrastructural projects are planned in this area.
Exam Tip: Questions may come like —
“Which town has been proposed as a satellite city near Guwahati?”
Why District Headquarters Matter in Exams
District headquarters serve as administrative nerve centres. From the DC office to district courts and police administration, all major governance functions operate from headquarters.
Examiners often ask:
- Match districts with headquarters
- Identify the headquarters of the newly created districts
- Arrange districts region-wise
Since these questions are factual and repetitive, you can secure full marks with proper revision.
Importance of Districts in Assam Governance
Districts act as the backbone of governance in Assam. They implement:
- Government welfare schemes
- Disaster management programs
- Law and order administration
- Development projects
Because of this administrative significance, district-related questions never lose relevance in Assam GK.
Smart Preparation Tips for Districts of Assam (APSC & ADRE)
- Memorize districts region-wise (Upper, Lower, Barak Valley, BTR area).
- Revise the newly created districts carefully.
- Practice MCQs weekly.
- Stay updated with administrative changes.
- Link districts with important rivers, national parks, and industries.
Conclusion
The Districts of Assam and Their Headquarters remain one of the important aspects for APSC, ADRE, Assam Tet, and other recruitment drive exams. You can master this topic with regular revision and smart memorization techniques. Do not ignore this topic. It gives you a direct advantage over other candidates. Master the districts. Strengthen your Assam GK. Score higher in every exam.
Source – Assam State Portal