7 Divisions & 41 Districts: Rajasthan Geography Updated Notes 2026
Hello juniors! If you are preparing for your upcoming geography exams, the history of Rajasthan's divisional system (संभागीय व्यवस्था) can feel a bit overwhelming with all the dates and committees. I have organized all the core facts, dates, and recent updates from our latest lecture so you can memorize them easily. Let's break it down!
Timeline of the Divisional System
The divisional system in Rajasthan has seen many changes over the decades. Here is the step-by-step history:
- 1949 (Initiation): The system was started by Chief Minister Heeralal Shastri. At this time, Rajasthan was divided into 5 divisions (Bikaner, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Kota, and Jaipur).
- April 1962 (Abolition): Chief Minister Mohanlal Sukhadia completely abolished the divisional system.
- 26 January 1987 (Restart): Chief Minister Harideo Joshi restarted the system. He also created the 6th division, Ajmer, by separating it from the Jaipur division.
- 4 June 2005 (7th Division): Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje created the 7th division, Bharatpur. It was formed by taking Bharatpur and Dholpur from the Jaipur division, and Karauli and Sawai Madhopur from the Kota division.
Recent Committee Changes and Updates
Things changed rapidly between 2023 and 2024 regarding the districts and divisions. Here is what you need to remember:
- Ram Lubhaya Committee (7 August 2023): Under Ashok Gehlot's government, this committee's report led to the creation of 19 new districts and 3 new divisions (Banswara, Pali, and Sikar). This briefly pushed the totals to 50 districts and 10 divisions.
- Cabinet Sub-Committee Re-evaluation: The new Bhajan Lal government formed a sub-committee to review these new additions. Madan Dilawar was the coordinator (after Premchand Bairwa resigned). The members included Kanhaiyalal Choudhary, Hemant Meena, Suresh Singh Rawat, and Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore.
- Lalit K. Panwar Committee: This committee was tasked with reviewing the new boundaries. Their tenure was from 29 June 2024 to 31 August 2024.
- 29 December 2024 Decision: Based on the Lalit K. Panwar Committee's interim report, 3 divisions (Banswara, Pali, Sikar) and 9 newly formed districts were canceled.
The 9 Canceled Districts:
- Boundary Districts: Sanchore, Anupgarh, Neem Ka Thana
- Semi-circular Districts: Jodhpur Rural, Jaipur Rural, Gangapur City
- Straight-line Districts: Shahpura, Kekri, Dudu
Current Status of Rajasthan Divisions
As of now, Rajasthan officially has 7 divisions and 41 districts. Here is the breakdown:
- Jodhpur Division (8 districts): The largest division by area. Districts: Phalodi, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Jalore, Sirohi, Pali, Balotra, and Jodhpur.
- Jaipur Division (7 districts): The largest division by population.
- Udaipur Division (7 districts): Contains 5 boundary districts and 2 inland districts.
- Ajmer Division (6 districts): This division makes the shortest inter-state border (only Bhilwara touches the boundary for about 16 km).
- Bharatpur Division (5 districts): The smallest division by area. All 5 of its districts lie on the outer boundary.
- Bikaner Division (4 districts): Just like Bharatpur, all 4 of its districts lie directly on the land boundary.
- Kota Division (4 districts): This division has the lowest population.
Formation History of Districts (Post-1956)
When the integration of Rajasthan was completed on 1 November 1956, there were 26 districts. Here is a quick table of how the next districts were formed up until 2008:
| District Number | District Name | Formation Date | Separated From |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27th | Dholpur | 15 April 1982 | Bharatpur |
| 28th | Baran | 10 April 1991 | Kota |
| 29th | Dausa | 10 April 1991 | Jaipur |
| 30th | Rajsamand | 10 April 1991 | Udaipur |
| 31st | Hanumangarh | 12 July 1994 | Sri Ganganagar |
| 32nd | Karauli | 19 July 1997 | Sawai Madhopur |
| 33rd | Pratapgarh | 26 January 2008 | Banswara, Chittorgarh, Udaipur |
(Note: The newest districts from 34 to 41 were all officially established on 7 August 2023).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who abolished the divisional system in Rajasthan and when?
Chief Minister Mohanlal Sukhadia completely abolished the divisional system in April 1962.
Which committee recommended the cancellation of the 3 new divisions and 9 districts?
The Lalit K. Panwar Committee, which submitted its interim report on 29 December 2024, led to the removal of these newly formed divisions and districts.
Which division shares the shortest inter-state boundary?
The Ajmer division shares the shortest inter-state boundary, as only Bhilwara touches the border for roughly 16 kilometers.
How many districts and divisions are currently active in Rajasthan?
After the 29 December 2024 notification, Rajasthan currently has 7 divisions and 41 districts.