Odisha has 30 districts. The state started with 13 districts, and a big reorganisation in 1992–93 raised the number to 30. Questions on district names, headquarters and records come up in OSSC, OSSSC, OPSC, police and teaching exams, so this list is worth learning well.
List of 30 districts and headquarters
District | Headquarters |
|---|---|
Angul | Angul |
Balangir | Balangir |
Balasore | Balasore |
Bargarh | Bargarh |
Bhadrak | Bhadrak |
Boudh | Boudh |
Cuttack | Cuttack |
Deogarh | Deogarh |
Dhenkanal | Dhenkanal |
Gajapati | Paralakhemundi |
Ganjam | Chhatrapur |
Jagatsinghpur | Jagatsinghpur |
Jajpur | Jajpur |
Jharsuguda | Jharsuguda |
Kalahandi | Bhawanipatna |
Kandhamal | Phulbani |
Kendrapara | Kendrapara |
Kendujhar | Kendujhar |
Khordha | Khordha |
Koraput | Koraput |
Malkangiri | Malkangiri |
Mayurbhanj | Baripada |
Nabarangpur | Nabarangpur |
Nayagarh | Nayagarh |
Nuapada | Nuapada |
Puri | Puri |
Rayagada | Rayagada |
Sambalpur | Sambalpur |
Subarnapur | Sonepur |
Sundargarh | Sundargarh |
Most districts have the same name as their headquarters. Only six differ: Gajapati (Paralakhemundi), Ganjam (Chhatrapur), Kalahandi (Bhawanipatna), Kandhamal (Phulbani), Mayurbhanj (Baripada) and Subarnapur (Sonepur).
Quick facts
Largest district by area: Mayurbhanj
Smallest district by area: Jagatsinghpur
Most populous district: Ganjam
Least populous district: Deogarh
The state capital, Bhubaneswar, lies in Khordha district.
Population figures are from the 2011 Census.
Odisha has three revenue divisions: Northern (Sambalpur), Central (Cuttack) and Southern (Berhampur).
Exam Favourites: Learn These 5 First
Must-know topic | Answer |
|---|---|
Total districts | 30 (originally 13) |
Largest / smallest by area | Mayurbhanj / Jagatsinghpur |
Most / least populous | Ganjam / Deogarh |
Headquarters with a different name (6) | Gajapati – Paralakhemundi, Ganjam – Chhatrapur, Kalahandi – Bhawanipatna, Kandhamal – Phulbani, Mayurbhanj – Baripada, Subarnapur – Sonepur |
Bhubaneswar (capital) lies in | Khordha district |
Practice MCQs
Q1. How many districts does Odisha have?
(A) 28
(B) 30
(C) 32
(D) 33
Answer: (B) 30
Q2. Which is the largest district of Odisha by area?
(A) Kendujhar
(B) Sundargarh
(C) Mayurbhanj
(D) Koraput
Answer: (C) Mayurbhanj
Q3. Which is the smallest district by area?
(A) Jagatsinghpur
(B) Jharsuguda
(C) Puri
(D) Khordha
Answer: (A) Jagatsinghpur
Q4. Which district has the highest population?
(A) Khordha
(B) Ganjam
(C) Cuttack
(D) Mayurbhanj
Answer: (B) Ganjam
Q5. Which district has the lowest population?
(A) Boudh
(B) Nuapada
(C) Deogarh
(D) Gajapati
Answer: (C) Deogarh
Q6. What is the headquarters of Ganjam district?
(A) Berhampur
(B) Chhatrapur
(C) Aska
(D) Bhanjanagar
Answer: (B) Chhatrapur
Q7. What is the headquarters of Kandhamal district?
(A) Phulbani
(B) Baliguda
(C) Boudh
(D) Rayagada
Answer: (A) Phulbani
Q8. What is the headquarters of Gajapati district?
(A) Mohana
(B) Rayagada
(C) Paralakhemundi
(D) Koraput
Answer: (C) Paralakhemundi
Q9. In which district is Bhubaneswar located?
(A) Puri
(B) Cuttack
(C) Nayagarh
(D) Khordha
Answer: (D) Khordha
Q10. What is the headquarters of Subarnapur district?
(A) Sonepur
(B) Binka
(C) Baliguda
(D) Balangir
Answer: (A) Sonepur
