Just 24 hours before the national deadline, the Government of Andhra Pradesh officially issued the new districts notification, confirming the restructuring of boundaries, district centers, and administrative jurisdictions. The notification takes effect from December 31, marking a major shift in the administrative map of the state. This move aligns with the time frame set by the Central Statistical Department, which had instructed all states to finalize boundary changes before the end of the year. After the deadline, states are required to submit the updated details for national records and census preparation.
The timing of the notification has drawn public attention because it was issued almost at the last possible moment. The national authority permitted states to make boundary adjustments only up to December 31. Following this, states will need to update the data with the Government of India for reference, population mapping, and upcoming census structures. From February, the national statistical department is scheduled to begin caste-based calculations and district-level enumeration, which is why the deadline was non-negotiable.
Increase in District Count and Administrative Changes
With this move, the number of districts in Andhra Pradesh has increased from 26 to 28. Two new districts have been added, and several boundaries have been reorganized. Markapuram has been declared the headquarters of the newly formed Markapuram district. Polavaram district, known for being comparatively smaller in area, will be administered from Rampachodavaram, which has been selected as the district center.
Several significant changes have been made across districts such as Srikakulam, Tirupati, Chittoor, and Annamayya, where mandals and divisions have been reassigned. These adjustments are intended to improve governance, local access to administrative services, and geographical management.
Key Realignments and District Center Changes
Some mandals have been shifted based on convenience, distance, and population access. For instance, Nandigama mandal from Srikakulam district has been added to Tekkali. Similarly, the Palasa division has also been shifted to Tekkali for administrative convenience. Samarlakota mandal will now operate under the Peddapuram division as per the updated governance plan.
In East Godavari, Penugonda mandal has been renamed Vasavi Penugonda. The well-known Addaroad Junction, located in the Visakhapatnam region, has now been upgraded and recognized as a revenue division, adding further importance to the area. These changes are expected to impact local administration, office jurisdictions, and revenue department operations.
Expected Impact on Governance and Public Services
After the notification comes into force, several departments will undergo restructuring. Revenue officers, district collectors, deputy collectors, and RDOs will be reassigned based on the new district map. Employees working in combined divisions may receive relocation orders as part of the transition to the new headquarters. This restructuring is not just administrative but also operational, as district-level institutions will begin functioning from their newly assigned centers.
Government offices will receive fresh identity boards, and documentation will be updated to reflect the new boundaries. New appointment orders are expected soon for officers who will take charge of the newly created districts and divisions.
Public Response and What Comes Next
While this is being viewed as a milestone in administrative reform, public feedback varies from support to curiosity. Some residents believe the changes will help them by reducing travel time to district headquarters and making services more accessible. Others prefer to wait and see how the adjustments benefit them practically. The government maintains that the intention behind the restructuring is to bring governance closer to the people.
Further instructions are expected in January, when the state will submit the updated map and district structure to central authorities. Only after the submission will large-scale national records and census files be updated. Until then, the responsibility lies with local administrative teams to ensure that the changeover happens smoothly.
The new districts notification represents a significant chapter for Andhra Pradesh, marking the expansion of administrative boundaries and the beginning of a new governance setup. With 28 districts now in place and the changes becoming effective from December 31, the state enters a new phase of administrative reorganization. How effectively these changes contribute to development and public service delivery will become clear in the coming months.
