Kerala Districts And Year of Formation — Complete PSC Guide
Apr 2020|🟢Current|16 min read|54 entries|40 questions
Key Takeaway
Complete guide to all 14 districts of Kerala — formation years, headquarters, area, population, nicknames, rivers, landmarks and PSC quiz. Kerala was formed on 1 November 1956 under the States Reorganisation Act with 5 districts, later expanded to 14.
Formation of Kerala Districts
Kerala was formed on 1 November 1956 under the States Reorganisation Act, unifying the Malayalam-speaking regions of Travancore-Cochin state and the Malabar district of Madras state. At the time of formation, Kerala had only 5 districts: Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kottayam, Thrissur, and Malabar.
On 1 January 1957, the Malabar district was trifurcated to form Kannur, Kozhikode, and Palakkad. Alappuzha was carved out of Kottayam and Kollam. Ernakulam was formed in 1958. Further reorganisations over the decades created Malappuram (1969), Idukki (1972), Wayanad (1980), Pathanamthitta (1982), and finally Kasaragod (1984) as the 14th district.
The 14 districts are divided into 6 Municipal Corporations (Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kochi, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Kannur), 87 Municipalities, 152 Block Panchayats, 941 Grama Panchayats, 27 Revenue Divisions, and 77 Taluks.
Year of Formation — All 14 Districts(9)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| 1 July 1949 | Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kottayam, Thrissur — first 4 districts of Kerala |
| 1 January 1957 | Kozhikode, Kannur, Palakkad — from trifurcation of Malabar district |
| 17 August 1957 | Alappuzha — carved from Kottayam and Kollam |
| 1 April 1958 | Ernakulam — 9th district |
| 16 June 1969 | Malappuram — 10th district |
| 26 January 1972 | Idukki — formed on Republic Day |
| 1 November 1980 | Wayanad — carved from Kozhikode and Kannur |
| 1 November 1982 | Pathanamthitta — carved from Kollam, Alappuzha and Idukki |
| 24 May 1984 | Kasaragod — 14th and last-formed district, carved from Kannur |
1 July 1949
Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kottayam, Thrissur — first 4 districts of Kerala
1 January 1957
Kozhikode, Kannur, Palakkad — from trifurcation of Malabar district
17 August 1957
Alappuzha — carved from Kottayam and Kollam
1 April 1958
Ernakulam — 9th district
16 June 1969
Malappuram — 10th district
26 January 1972
Idukki — formed on Republic Day
1 November 1980
Wayanad — carved from Kozhikode and Kannur
1 November 1982
Pathanamthitta — carved from Kollam, Alappuzha and Idukki
24 May 1984
Kasaragod — 14th and last-formed district, carved from Kannur
Districts by Region(3)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| North Kerala (5) | Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, Kozhikode, Malappuram |
| Central Kerala (4) | Palakkad, Thrissur, Ernakulam, Idukki |
| South Kerala (5) | Kottayam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram |
North Kerala (5)
Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, Kozhikode, Malappuram
Central Kerala (4)
Palakkad, Thrissur, Ernakulam, Idukki
South Kerala (5)
Kottayam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram
District Headquarters, Area & Population (Census 2011)(14)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Thiruvananthapuram | HQ: Thiruvananthapuram | Area: 2,189 km² | Pop: 33,07,284 | Density: 1,509/km² |
| Kollam | HQ: Kollam | Area: 2,491 km² | Pop: 26,35,375 | Density: 1,058/km² |
| Pathanamthitta | HQ: Pathanamthitta | Area: 2,637 km² | Pop: 11,97,412 | Density: 454/km² |
| Alappuzha | HQ: Alappuzha | Area: 1,415 km² (smallest) | Pop: 21,27,789 | Density: 1,504/km² |
| Kottayam | HQ: Kottayam | Area: 2,208 km² | Pop: 19,74,551 | Density: 894/km² |
| Idukki | HQ: Painavu | Area: 4,612 km² (largest district since 2023) | Pop: 11,08,974 | Density: 240/km² (least dense) |
| Ernakulam | HQ: Kochi | Area: 3,068 km² | Pop: 32,82,388 | Density: 1,069/km² |
| Thrissur | HQ: Thrissur | Area: 3,032 km² | Pop: 31,21,200 | Density: 1,030/km² |
| Palakkad | HQ: Palakkad | Area: 4,482 km² (2nd largest) | Pop: 28,09,934 | Density: 627/km² |
| Malappuram | HQ: Malappuram | Area: 3,554 km² | Pop: 41,12,920 (most populous) | Density: 1,157/km² |
| Kozhikode | HQ: Kozhikode | Area: 2,344 km² | Pop: 30,86,293 | Density: 1,316/km² |
| Wayanad | HQ: Kalpetta | Area: 2,131 km² | Pop: 8,17,420 (least populous) | Density: 384/km² |
| Kannur | HQ: Kannur | Area: 2,966 km² | Pop: 25,23,003 | Density: 851/km² |
| Kasaragod | HQ: Kasaragod | Area: 1,992 km² | Pop: 13,07,375 | Density: 657/km² |
Thiruvananthapuram
HQ: Thiruvananthapuram | Area: 2,189 km² | Pop: 33,07,284 | Density: 1,509/km²
Kollam
HQ: Kollam | Area: 2,491 km² | Pop: 26,35,375 | Density: 1,058/km²
Pathanamthitta
HQ: Pathanamthitta | Area: 2,637 km² | Pop: 11,97,412 | Density: 454/km²
Alappuzha
HQ: Alappuzha | Area: 1,415 km² (smallest) | Pop: 21,27,789 | Density: 1,504/km²
Kottayam
HQ: Kottayam | Area: 2,208 km² | Pop: 19,74,551 | Density: 894/km²
Idukki
HQ: Painavu | Area: 4,612 km² (largest district since 2023) | Pop: 11,08,974 | Density: 240/km² (least dense)
Ernakulam
HQ: Kochi | Area: 3,068 km² | Pop: 32,82,388 | Density: 1,069/km²
Thrissur
HQ: Thrissur | Area: 3,032 km² | Pop: 31,21,200 | Density: 1,030/km²
Palakkad
HQ: Palakkad | Area: 4,482 km² (2nd largest) | Pop: 28,09,934 | Density: 627/km²
Malappuram
HQ: Malappuram | Area: 3,554 km² | Pop: 41,12,920 (most populous) | Density: 1,157/km²
Kozhikode
HQ: Kozhikode | Area: 2,344 km² | Pop: 30,86,293 | Density: 1,316/km²
Wayanad
HQ: Kalpetta | Area: 2,131 km² | Pop: 8,17,420 (least populous) | Density: 384/km²
Kannur
HQ: Kannur | Area: 2,966 km² | Pop: 25,23,003 | Density: 851/km²
Kasaragod
HQ: Kasaragod | Area: 1,992 km² | Pop: 13,07,375 | Density: 657/km²
District Nicknames & Sobriquets(14)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Thiruvananthapuram | Evergreen City of India |
| Kollam | Cashew Capital of the World |
| Pathanamthitta | Pilgrim Capital of Kerala (Sabarimala) |
| Alappuzha | Venice of the East | Rice Bowl of Kerala (Kuttanad) |
| Kottayam | Akshara Nagari (Land of Letters) | Land of Latex and Letters |
| Idukki | Spice Garden of Kerala |
| Ernakulam | Commercial Capital of Kerala | Queen of the Arabian Sea |
| Thrissur | Cultural Capital of Kerala | Gold Capital of Kerala |
| Palakkad | Gateway of Kerala | Granary of Kerala (Rice Bowl) |
| Malappuram | Land of Hills | City of Hills |
| Kozhikode | City of Spices | Food Capital of Kerala |
| Wayanad | Green Paradise | Land of Paddy Fields |
| Kannur | Land of Looms and Lores | Manchester of Kerala | Land of Theyyam |
| Kasaragod | Land of Gods | Saptha Bhasha Sangama Bhoomi (Land of 7 Languages) |
Thiruvananthapuram
Evergreen City of India
Kollam
Cashew Capital of the World
Pathanamthitta
Pilgrim Capital of Kerala (Sabarimala)
Alappuzha
Venice of the East | Rice Bowl of Kerala (Kuttanad)
Kottayam
Akshara Nagari (Land of Letters) | Land of Latex and Letters
Idukki
Spice Garden of Kerala
Ernakulam
Commercial Capital of Kerala | Queen of the Arabian Sea
Thrissur
Cultural Capital of Kerala | Gold Capital of Kerala
Palakkad
Gateway of Kerala | Granary of Kerala (Rice Bowl)
Malappuram
Land of Hills | City of Hills
Kozhikode
City of Spices | Food Capital of Kerala
Wayanad
Green Paradise | Land of Paddy Fields
Kannur
Land of Looms and Lores | Manchester of Kerala | Land of Theyyam
Kasaragod
Land of Gods | Saptha Bhasha Sangama Bhoomi (Land of 7 Languages)
Famous Landmarks & Rivers(14)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Thiruvananthapuram | Padmanabhaswamy Temple (richest temple) | Kovalam Beach | River: Karamana, Neyyar |
| Kollam | Ashtamudi Lake | Palaruvi Waterfalls | River: Kallada, Ithikkara |
| Pathanamthitta | Sabarimala Temple | Aranmula Kannadi | River: Pamba, Achencoil, Manimala |
| Alappuzha | Backwaters & Houseboats | Nehru Trophy Boat Race | River: Pamba, Achencoil |
| Kottayam | Vembanad Lake | Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary | River: Meenachil, Muvattupuzha |
| Idukki | Munnar | Idukki Arch Dam | Eravikulam NP | River: Periyar (longest river of Kerala) |
| Ernakulam | Fort Kochi | Mattancherry Palace | Willingdon Island | River: Periyar |
| Thrissur | Thrissur Pooram | Vadakkunnathan Temple | Athirapilly Falls | River: Bharathapuzha, Chalakudy |
| Palakkad | Palakkad Gap | Silent Valley NP | Malampuzha Dam | River: Bharathapuzha (2nd longest river) |
| Malappuram | Nilambur Teak Museum | Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary | River: Kadalundi, Chaliyar |
| Kozhikode | Kappad Beach (Vasco da Gama landed 1498) | Beypore | River: Chaliyar, Korapuzha |
| Wayanad | Edakkal Caves | Chembra Peak | Banasura Sagar Dam | River: Kabani (east-flowing) |
| Kannur | St. Angelo Fort | Payyambalam Beach | Theyyam rituals | River: Valapattanam |
| Kasaragod | Bekal Fort (largest fort in Kerala) | River: Chandragiri — has most rivers of any district |
Thiruvananthapuram
Padmanabhaswamy Temple (richest temple) | Kovalam Beach | River: Karamana, Neyyar
Kollam
Ashtamudi Lake | Palaruvi Waterfalls | River: Kallada, Ithikkara
Pathanamthitta
Sabarimala Temple | Aranmula Kannadi | River: Pamba, Achencoil, Manimala
Alappuzha
Backwaters & Houseboats | Nehru Trophy Boat Race | River: Pamba, Achencoil
Kottayam
Vembanad Lake | Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary | River: Meenachil, Muvattupuzha
Idukki
Munnar | Idukki Arch Dam | Eravikulam NP | River: Periyar (longest river of Kerala)
Ernakulam
Fort Kochi | Mattancherry Palace | Willingdon Island | River: Periyar
Thrissur
Thrissur Pooram | Vadakkunnathan Temple | Athirapilly Falls | River: Bharathapuzha, Chalakudy
Palakkad
Palakkad Gap | Silent Valley NP | Malampuzha Dam | River: Bharathapuzha (2nd longest river)
Malappuram
Nilambur Teak Museum | Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary | River: Kadalundi, Chaliyar
Kozhikode
Kappad Beach (Vasco da Gama landed 1498) | Beypore | River: Chaliyar, Korapuzha
Wayanad
Edakkal Caves | Chembra Peak | Banasura Sagar Dam | River: Kabani (east-flowing)
Kannur
St. Angelo Fort | Payyambalam Beach | Theyyam rituals | River: Valapattanam
Kasaragod
Bekal Fort (largest fort in Kerala) | River: Chandragiri — has most rivers of any district
Key PSC Facts — Superlatives
- •Largest district by area: Idukki (4,612 km²) — regained status from Palakkad in September 2023 after Edamalakkudy village expansion*
- •Smallest district by area: Alappuzha (1,415 km²)
- •Most populated district: Malappuram (41,12,920)
- •Least populated district: Wayanad (8,17,420)
- •Highest population density: Thiruvananthapuram (1,509/km²)
- •Lowest population density: Idukki (255/km²)
- •Highest literacy rate: Kottayam (97.2%)
- •Lowest literacy rate: Wayanad (89.0%)
- •First 4 districts (1949): Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kottayam, Thrissur
- •Last formed district: Kasaragod (24 May 1984)
- •Only district HQ different from district name: Idukki (HQ: Painavu), Ernakulam (HQ: Kochi)
- •District formed on Republic Day: Idukki (26 Jan 1972)
- •Longest river passing through Kerala: Periyar (244 km) — through Idukki & Ernakulam
- •2nd longest river: Bharathapuzha (209 km) — through Palakkad, Malappuram & Thrissur
- •District with most rivers: Kasaragod (12 rivers)
- •East-flowing river district: Wayanad (Kabani river flows east to Karnataka)
- •6 Municipal Corporations: Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kochi, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Kannur*
- •Total taluks in Kerala: 77 | Revenue divisions: 27 | Grama panchayats: 941
- •Kasaragod is called Saptha Bhasha Sangama Bhoomi — 7 languages spoken (Malayalam, Kannada, Tulu, Konkani, Marathi, Beary, Hindi)
- •Vasco da Gama landed at Kappad Beach, Kozhikode in 1498
- •Idukki was the largest district until 1997, lost to Palakkad when Kuttampuzha panchayat moved to Ernakulam. Regained in Sept 2023 when 127 km² was annexed back to Edamalakkudy for tribal land rights (Forest Rights Act)*
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