Central Idea

Amid reports that Odisha may create a few more districts before the end of the year, the Orissa High Court has directed the government not to issue any final order in this regard without its permission.

Districts in India

Historical Background: Districts, as local administrative units, are a legacy from the British Raj era.
Administrative Hierarchy: Positioned below the state and territory level, districts are crucial in India’s local governance structure.
Leadership and Responsibilities: A Deputy Commissioner or Collector, often from the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), heads a district, overseeing administration and maintaining law and order.
Subdivision of Districts: Districts are further divided into smaller units like tehsils, talukas, or mandals, varying by region.

State Government’s Prerogative: The authority to create, modify, or abolish districts lies with State governments, executed via executive orders or state assembly legislation.
Preferred Methodology: States typically opt for the executive route, issuing official gazette notifications for these changes.

Limited Involvement: The Central government’s role is minimal in district reformation, primarily concerning name changes.
Procedure for Name Changes: For renaming districts or railway stations, State governments seek clearances from central entities like the Home Ministry, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Intelligence Bureau, Department of Posts, Geographical Survey of India, and the Railway Ministry.

Increase in Numbers: India’s district count has risen from 593 in 2011 to 718, as per the Government of India’s Know India website.
Factors Influencing Growth: This increase includes new districts formed between 2001-2011 and the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh into Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in 2014.

Benefits: Districts gain from government investments in local administration and development.
Infrastructure and Economic Development: New districts see enhanced infrastructure, attracting investments and boosting economic activities and employment.

Limitations and Costs: The financial burden of establishing administrative infrastructure restricts rampant district creation.
Resource Allocation: The process involves setting up offices and deploying officers and public servants, impacting the state’s budget.

Community Engagement: Involving local populations in the decision-making process is vital to align district formation with their aspirations and needs.
Conflict Resolution and Inclusive Growth: This approach can help mitigate conflicts and ensure decisions contribute to the inclusive growth of the state and nation.

	Details
Early Administration	Initiated by the British East India Company post-Battle of Plassey (1757) and Battle of Buxar (1764)
Collectorate System	Introduced by Warren Hastings in 1772; District Collector as key revenue, judicial, and administrative authority
Transition to Crown Rule	Post-1857 Revolt, direct British Crown rule led to formalization of district system
Role of District Collector	Central figure in district administration, responsible for revenue, law, and order
Revenue Systems	Implementation of Zamindari, Ryotwari, and Mahalwari systems for land revenue collection
Survey and Settlement	Extensive land surveys for revenue assessment
Judicial Functions	Initially, Collectors (District Magistrate) handled judicial roles; later, separate judicial offices were established
Law Enforcement	Establishment of modern police system with districts as key units
Impact on Indian Society	Centralized control, introduction of bureaucracy
Post-Independence Legacy	Retained district system with evolved role of District Collector