This Is Now The Most Populated District In India

Last Updated:November 06, 2025, 17:26 IST

With a density of 2,469 people per sq km, it is not only India’s most densely populated district but also ranks among the most crowded regions in the world

In the 2011 census, Thane in Maharashtra was the most populated district. (AI Generated/News18 Hindi)

Uttar Pradesh is known as the state with the largest population in India, but none of its districts make it to the top five most populated districts in the country. Surprisingly, the most populated district is now North 24 Parganas in West Bengal.

This district, part of the Kolkata metropolitan area, has an estimated population of about 10.5 million as of 2023, making it the most densely populated district in India. Let us find out why North 24 Parganas has the highest population and which district it overtook to reach this position.

Status Of Districts In Uttar Pradesh

Lucknow is the most populous district in Uttar Pradesh, with a population of around 5 million. At the same time, several smaller districts in the state have populations comparable to those of mid-sized towns. In contrast, West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district alone has a population roughly equal to that of about 10 smaller districts in Uttar Pradesh combined.

Five Most Populated Districts Of UP

• Lucknow: 5 million
• Kanpur Nagar: 4.5 million
• Ghaziabad: 4 million
• Agra: 3.5 million
• Meerut: 3 million

(The figures are based on United Nations, Government of India statistics, and recent estimates from 2023-2025.)

Thane’s Decline

In the 2011 census, Thane in Maharashtra was the most populated district with 11.06 million people. However, in August 2014, Thane was split into two districts: Thane and the new Palghar district. This split reduced Thane’s population to 8.07 million, paving the way for North 24 Parganas to become the most populated district.

(Estimates for 2025 are based on the 2011 census and growth rates, as the 2021 census was postponed.)

What Is The Current Population Of This District?

Currently, North 24 Parganas has an estimated population of about 10.9 million. With a population density of 2,469 people per square kilometre, it is not only India’s most densely populated district but also among the most densely populated areas in the world.

Why Does It Hold The Top Position?

This district’s top spot is due to its integral part of the Kolkata metropolitan area, affordability, and many people commuting to Kolkata for work. It hosts satellite townships like Salt Lake and an IT hub with over 1,500 companies and 350,000 workers, attracting numerous outsiders for jobs. The population continues to grow.

North 24 Parganas also has agriculture, fisheries, and small to medium industries. Farming is common, but many villagers are moving to cities.

Located in the Ganga-Brahmaputra delta region, along the Hooghly River, the district has a rich history. After the Battle of Plassey in 1757, the British East India Company acquired it. Post-India’s partition in 1947, millions of refugees from East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) settled here, causing a population boom. In 1986, North 24 Parganas was separated from Greater 24 Parganas.

4 Key Highlights Of This District

• Major cities like Barrackpore, Barasat, and Bidhannagar are part of it, and Kolkata’s expansion reaches here.
• The Bidhannagar-Rajarhat area has large industrial units and a rapidly growing IT sector. Kolkata airport is in this district.
• Kolkata’s metro line has expanded here, with new roads and flyover projects and a growing apartment culture.
• New townships are being developed to manage the rising population, with smart city projects and improvements in water supply and sewage systems.

Thane Ranked First In Population In The Last Census

Since the 2021 census did not occur, the above figures are based on estimates. According to the 2011 census, Thane was the number one district by population:

• Thane (Maharashtra) – 11 million,
• North 24 Parganas (Bengal) – 10 million,
• Bengaluru (Karnataka) – 9.6 million,
• Pune (Maharashtra) – 9.4 million,
• Mumbai Suburban district – 9.3 million.

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