Madhya Pradesh, often referred to as the "Heart of India," is the second-largest state in the country by area and the fifth-largest by population. To manage its vast geography and population effectively, the state is divided into several administrative units, each with distinct functions and governance structures. The administrative divisions of Madhya Pradesh include districts, divisions, tehsils, blocks, municipalities, and village panchayats.
1. State-Level Administration
Madhya Pradesh's administrative framework operates under the authority of the Governor, who acts as the constitutional head. The real executive power, however, lies with the Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers, supported by the state bureaucracy led by the Chief Secretary.
2. Administrative Divisions
Madhya Pradesh is divided into 10 administrative divisions for effective governance and decentralized administration. These divisions serve as an intermediary structure between the state government and the districts. Each division is headed by a Divisional Commissioner, responsible for supervising district-level officers and implementing government policies.
List of Divisions:
Bhopal Division
Indore Division
Jabalpur Division
Gwalior Division
Rewa Division
Sagar Division
Shahdol Division
Ujjain Division
Chambal Division
Narmadapuram Division (earlier known as Hoshangabad Division)
3. Districts of Madhya Pradesh
The state is further divided into 52 districts, each governed by a District Magistrate (DM) or Collector, who is an IAS officer. The Collector oversees revenue administration, law and order, and implementation of development programs.
Major Responsibilities of a District Collector:
Maintenance of law and order.
Supervision of revenue collection and land records.
Implementation of government schemes and welfare programs.
Disaster management and emergency response.
District Classification Based on Divisions:
4. Tehsils and Sub-Divisions
Each district is further divided into tehsils or sub-divisions, which serve as the key units for revenue and land administration. As of now, Madhya Pradesh has around 428 tehsils. A Tehsildar, supported by a team of revenue officials, oversees these tehsils.
Functions of a Tehsildar:
Collection of land revenue.
Management of land records and disputes.
Supervision of panchayats and block-level administration.
5. Blocks and Panchayats
Development Blocks:
Madhya Pradesh is divided into 313 development blocks, which act as administrative units for implementing rural development programs. Each block is headed by a Block Development Officer (BDO).
Village Panchayats:
At the grassroots level, Madhya Pradesh has approximately 22,800 gram panchayats, which are governed by elected representatives under the Panchayati Raj system. These panchayats are responsible for local governance and rural development.
6. Urban Administration
Urban areas in Madhya Pradesh are governed by municipal bodies classified as municipal corporations, municipal councils, and nagar panchayats.
Municipal Corporations (Nagar Nigam):
These are responsible for urban centers with populations exceeding 1,00,000. The state has 16 municipal corporations, including major cities like Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, and Gwalior.
Municipal Councils (Nagar Palika):
These govern smaller towns with populations ranging between 20,000 and 1,00,000.
Nagar Panchayats:
These oversee urbanized villages or smaller towns with populations below 20,000.
Key Functions of Urban Bodies:
Urban planning and infrastructure development.
Management of water supply and sanitation.
Property tax collection.
Maintenance of public spaces.
7. Revenue Administration
The revenue administration of Madhya Pradesh is structured into circles, patwari halkas, and villages under the jurisdiction of district and tehsil officers. The Patwari, a village-level officer, plays a crucial role in maintaining land records and assisting in revenue collection.
Hierarchy of Revenue Administration:
Divisional Commissioner
District Collector
Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM)
Tehsildar
Naib Tehsildar
Patwari
8. Law and Order Administration
To ensure public safety, the state is divided into police ranges, headed by an Inspector General of Police (IG). Each district has a Superintendent of Police (SP) who supervises the local police stations. For better coordination, there are specialized wings for cybercrime, womens safety, and traffic management.
9. Judicial Administration
The judicial administration in Madhya Pradesh operates under the guidance of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, located in Jabalpur, with benches in Indore and Gwalior. District courts and subordinate courts handle cases at the district and tehsil levels.
10. Unique Features of Administrative Divisions
Tribal-Dominated Areas:
Madhya Pradesh has a significant tribal population, and certain districts like Mandla, Dindori, and Alirajpur are designated as Scheduled Areas under the Fifth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. Special governance frameworks and welfare schemes are implemented in these regions.
Smart Cities Mission:
The cities of Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, and Gwalior have been selected under the Smart Cities Mission, which focuses on urban development through digital infrastructure and sustainable practices.
Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF):
Several districts, including Sidhi and Umaria, are covered under the BRGF program to address developmental gaps and improve infrastructure.
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