Two new districts, Polavaram and Markapuram, come into force

In a major administrative overhaul, the Andhra Pradesh Government has officially created two new districts — Polavaram and Markapuram, increasing the State’s total number of districts to 28 from the existing 26.

The move, effective from December 31, 2025, aims to streamline governance, improve service delivery, and address regional development needs more effectively.

Polavaram district, carved out of the Rampachodavaram and Chinturu revenue divisions of Alluri Sitharama Raju district, will have Rampachodavaram as its headquarters.

With a population of approximately 3.49 lakh people, predominantly tribals, the district is designed to focus on rehabilitation and development of villages affected by the Polavaram irrigation project. The district spanning 11 mandals will have two revenue divisions — Rampachodavaram and Chinturu.

Markapuram district, formed by merging the Markapuram and Kanigiri revenue divisions of western Prakasam, will serve a population of 11.42 lakh people.

The new district addresses decades’-long demand of the residents, particularly those in the drought-prone farming belts, where groundwater scarcity has hindered agricultural development.

The creation of Markapuram is expected to enhance access to welfare schemes, crop insurance, and emerging industrial corridors, improving livelihood opportunities for the region’s population.

The notification making Markapuram the headquarters of the new district has also been issued. The new district spread over 21 mandals will have two revenue divisions, Markapuram and Kanigiri.

Similarly, notifications have been published on the creation of five revenue divisions and other decisions approved by the Cabinet as part of the district reorganisation exercise.

As per the notification, Annamayya district will have three revenue divisions — Madanapalle, Pileru and Rayachoti. A total of 25 mandals, including 11 in Madanapalle, eight in Pileru and six in Rayachoti revenue divisions, are part of Annamayya district.

Administrative restructuring has been made in 17 districts and they involve 25 specific adjustments. The remaining nine districts — Vizianagaram, Parvathipuram-Manyam, Visakhapatnam, Eluru, NTR, Krishna, Guntur, Palnadu, and Anantapur — were left unchanged.