List of districts of Manipur

Manipur, a state in India, has sixteen administrative districts.

A district of an Indian state is an administrative geographical unit, headed by a district magistrate or a deputy commissioner, an officer belonging to the Indian Administrative Service. The district magistrate or the deputy commissioner is assisted by a number of officials belonging to different wings of the administrative services of the state.

A superintendent of Police, an officer belonging to Indian Police Service is entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining law and order and related issues.

On 9 December 2016, the government created 7 new districts, bringing the total number of districts to 16.^[1]

Manipur is divided into 16 districts

• has many different dialects

Boundary Reorganization Survey of 2024 - demands are mainly driven along the ego-ethnic groups

Chief Minister N. Biren Singh instructed a statewide survey in August 2024 to reorganise district boundaries based on "administrative convenience" rather than political interests. Further district notifications or boundary changes may follow the completion of the census operations, which have frozen existing boundaries until 31 March 2027 due to the 2027 census of India.^[3]

• North and East Manipur - dominated by the Christian Naga tribes (24% of Manipur's total population): who are the largest ethnic groups in the northern hill districts, such as Noney, Tamenglong, Senapati, Ukhrul, Kamjong and Chandel (60 %).

• • Phungyar district (from existing western Kamjong district): Local Naga leaders and village chiefs have long campaigned to upgrade the Phungyar Assembly Constituency into a full-fledged district. Proponents argue that the area, is socially and educationally backward despite its large geographical size. Although the state government has previously given "positive feedback" on this demand, no formal notification for a separate Phungyar district has been issued as of early 2026.^[4]

• Imphal Valley in the centre - dominated by the Hindu Meitei tribes (53% of Manipur's total population): who are the largest ethnic groups in the centre of the state in the valley comprising districts of Imphal West (HQ: Lamphelpat), Imphal East (HQ: Porompat), Thoubal, Kakching, Jiribam, and Bishnupur districts. Manipur also has Hindu Gorkhas in the Imphal valley who constitute 2 % of Manipur population. Tribals (Naga and Kuki-Zo) are allowed to own land in Matei-dominated Imphal Valley but conversely Matei's are not allowed to own the land in Naga and Kuki-Zo dominated hill areas leading to discrimination and resentment.

• South and southeast Manipur - dominated by the Christian Kuki-Zo tribes (16% of Manipur's total population): who are the majority ethnic group in Pherzawl, Churachandpur, Tengnoupal, and Kangpokpi districts with the scattered populations in the Chandel and Jiribam districts as well.

• • Kuki-Zo demand for separate administrative units and Union Territory: In the wake of ethnic tensions starting in 2023, Kuki-Zo groups have intensified demands for "Separate Administration". While often framed as a Union Territory, these demands include the creation of new administrative frameworks for Kuki-Zo inhabited areas in the hills that would grant them legislative and financial autonomy without necessarily altering existing state boundaries immediately. ^[5]

• Administrative divisions of India
• Proposed states and union territories of India