“Administrative Divisions, Subdivision, Blocks and Village List of Rayagada District,

Rayagada district, located in southern Odisha, was established on October 2, 1992 . It spreads across approximately 7,584.7 km² and includes a diverse tribal population, primarily comprising the Khonds and Soras . Rich in culture, tradition, and natural resources, the district is administratively organized into subdivisions, blocks (also known as tehsils or community development blocks), and thousands of villages guided by local governing bodies.

1. Administrative Structure Overview

Rayagada serves as its administrative headquarters and encompasses two main subdivisions: Rayagada Sub‑Division and Gunupur Sub‑Division .

1.1 Subdivisions and Blocks

Rayagada Sub‑Division includes four blocks:

Rayagada

Kolnara

Kalyanasinghpur

Kashipur

Gunupur Sub‑Division encompasses seven blocks:

Gunupur

Padmapur

Gudari

Muniguda

Bissamcuttack

Ramanaguda

Chandrapur

In total, the district is divided into 11 blocks .

1.2 Tahasils

The blocks correspond exactly to the tahasils in Rayagada district—the same 11 names appear in both categories: Rayagada, Gunupur, Bissamcuttack, Kashipur, Kolnara, Ramanaguda, Kalyanasinghpur, Padmapur, Gudari, Muniguda, and Chandrapur .

2. Community Development Blocks (Tehsils)

Per administrative and census records, the 15 tehsils (CD Blocks) of Rayagada are:

1. Ambadala
2. Andirakanch
3. Bishamakatak
4. Chandrapur
5. Doraguda
6. Gudari
7. Gunupur
8. Kalyanasingpur
9. Kashipur
10. Muniguda
11. Padmapur
12. Puttasing
13. Rayagada
14. Seskhal
15. Tikiri

Each tehsil has unique area and population data, updated as per the 2011 census. Notably:

Rayagada tehsil is the largest both in area and population.

Andirakanch tehsil is the smallest on both counts .

3. Headcount and Villages

Rayagada district encompasses approximately 2,468 villages and spans around 7,073 km² of which about 7,004.34 km² is rural, and 68.66 km² is urban .

Under the jurisdiction of the District Panchayat, the administrative governance is structured further:

11 Panchayat Samitis (also equivalent to blocks)

182 Gram Panchayats

2,672 villages under these Samitis

The slight discrepancy in counts (2,468 vs. 2,672) may stem from differences in counting methodologies or updates since the census.

4. Village-level Details

A snapshot of village entries in the census includes names such as Jigidibhata, Palama, Kataraguda, Jambuguda, Sibalingapur, Pitamahula, Madhuban, Rautaguda, Bainaguda, Talatampar, among others . These villages illustrate the granularity of governance at the grassroots level and reflect the breadth of local settlements managed under Rayagada’s administration.

5. Governance and Administrative Roles

Sub‑Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) head each subdivision.

Block Development Officers (BDOs) oversee the blocks/CD Blocks/tehsils, coordinating development programs.

Gram Panchayats manage village-level administration.

Police Subdivisions and Stations mirror administrative divisions for law enforcement. There are three police subdivisions covering 17 police stations across Rayagada, Gunupur, and Bissamcuttack .

6. Demographic and Socio‑economic Context

The district is characterized by:

A tribal population making up around 57.5%.

Official languages: Odia and English; regional languages: Kui, Sora, Kuvi .

7. Historical and Cultural Significance

Rayagada’s terrain, predominantly forested (around 4,785 km², including 777 km² of reserved forests), supports the preservation of tribal cultures . The district is rich in historical sites and natural landmarks, like temples, hills, rivers and cultural festivals, which reflect its diverse heritage and local traditions .

Conclusion

This expansive overview captures the precise administrative architecture of Rayagada district—from subdivisions to blocks/tehsils, down to Panchayat bodies and village distribution—while underscoring the socio-cultural context and demographic landscape. The administrative setup supports decentralized governance across its rural expanse and tribal heartland, facilitating development and managing its rich diversity.

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Disclaimer

The information presented in this article is based on official district government sources and the latest available census data as cited. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, administrative boundaries, names, and counts may change over time. Readers are encouraged to refer to the official district or state government portals for formal, up-to-date information.