Andhra Pradesh Cabinet Approves Two New Districts, Total Districts Rise to 28

Amaravati, Dec 2025 : The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet on Monday approved the formation of two new districts, raising the total number of districts in the state to 28. The decisions were taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. The new districts approved are Polavaram, with Rampachodavaram as its headquarters, and Markapuram.

State Revenue Minister Anagani Satya Prasad briefed the media, saying that the Cabinet approved changes in 17 out of the state’s existing 26 districts, implementing a total of 25 modifications. The remaining nine districts—Vizianagaram, Parvathipuram Manyam, Visakhapatnam, Eluru, NTR, Krishna, Guntur, Palnadu, and Anantapur—remain unchanged.

Minister Satya Prasad explained that the changes were made based on public requests received following the gazette notification issued on November 27, 2025. He emphasized that the reorganisation reflects the aspirations of the people, and the final notification will be issued immediately, with all changes coming into effect from December 31, 2025.

The Cabinet meeting witnessed emotional moments, particularly over the contentious decision to shift the Annamayya district headquarters from Rayachoti. Transport Minister Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy, who represents the Rayachoti Assembly constituency, reportedly became emotional after the Cabinet approved Madanapalle as the district headquarters. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu intervened to console him, explaining the technical and administrative challenges in retaining Rayachoti as the headquarters.

The Chief Minister stated that the reorganisation was essential due to “unavoidable circumstances and in the larger public interest”, noting that creating a district around a single Assembly constituency was not viable. He assured Minister Ramprasad Reddy that the Rayachoti constituency would be developed as a major district-level growth centre, and that the state government would address concerns related to the town’s future development.

The Cabinet also approved additional territorial adjustments: Rajampet will merge with Kadapa district, while Railway Koduru will join Tirupati district. Gudur will be transferred from Tirupati district back to Nellore district. Furthermore, the Cabinet sanctioned the formation of five new revenue divisions to strengthen administrative efficiency.

Following the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh in 2014, the state was left with only 13 districts. The previous YSRCP government increased this number to 26 in 2022. The current Telugu Desam Party-led government had promised during last year’s elections to reorganise districts and form new revenue divisions to correct the unscientific approach of the previous administration.

Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu remarked that the earlier decisions by the YSRCP government had caused regional disparities as they did not consider local aspirations. He reiterated that the present reorganisation aims to balance administrative efficiency with public interest while addressing developmental priorities across the state.