Administrative Divisions of Assam: The Five-Division Structure and Divisional Commissioners
Administrative divisions of Assam: 5 divisions (Upper, Middle, Lower, BTR, Barak Valley), Divisional Commissioners, revenue boards — ADRE guide.
Author: AxomRank | Updated: August 2026 | Reading time: 9 minutes
At the top of Assam's field administration sit the five administrative (revenue) divisions — Upper Assam, Middle Assam, Lower Assam, the Bodoland Territorial Region, and Barak Valley — each supervised by a Divisional Commissioner and grouping several districts for coordination and revenue oversight [1] [2]. Division questions in ADRE are quick marks: the count, the names, and which districts belong to each. This guide maps the whole structure.
Quick Answer: Administrative Divisions Fact Sheet
| Division | Districts | HQ region |
|---|---|---|
| Upper Assam | Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Sivasagar, Charaideo, Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Majuli | Dibrugarh–Sivasagar belt |
| Middle Assam | Sonitpur, Biswanath, Golaghat, Nagaon, Hojai, Karbi Anglong, Dima Hasao | Tezpur–Nagaon belt |
| Lower Assam | Kamrup Metro, Kamrup, Nalbari, Barpeta, Baksa, Udalguri, Darrang, Morigaon, Goalpara, South Salmara-Mankachar, Dhubri | Guwahati–Barpeta belt |
| Bodoland Territorial Region | Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa, Udalguri | Kokrajhar |
| Barak Valley | Cachar, Karimganj, Hailakandi | Silchar |
The Divisional Commissioner: What the Tier Does
The Divisional Commissioner — a senior IAS officer — supervises the districts of the division on revenue, law-and-order coordination, and development targets, acting as the bridge between the state secretariat in Dispur and the district collectorates [1] [2]. The divisions exist mainly for revenue and coordination purposes (Assam's Board of Revenue tradition), unlike states with divisional courts; real executive power remains with the DCs. Assam's total — five divisions — is itself the standard exam answer [1] [2].
The Bodoland Territorial Region: A Division Unlike the Others
Four divisions are conventional revenue groupings; the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) is a constitutional arrangement. Created under the Sixth Schedule and reorganised by the Bodoland Accord of January 2020, the BTR comprises Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa, and Udalguri and is administered by the elected Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) with legislative and executive powers over listed subjects — making it the only division whose administration is council-led rather than purely commissioner-led [1] [2]. Note the overlap: Baksa and Udalguri appear in both Lower Assam division and the BTR.
The Barak Valley: A Distinct Administrative and Cultural Region
The Barak Valley division — Cachar, Karimganj, Hailakandi — is geographically, linguistically (Bengali-majority), and culturally distinct from the Brahmaputra valley, and its administration centres on Silchar [1] [2]. The valley's district machinery additionally coordinates with the Dima Hasao Autonomous Council (in the neighbouring hill district) and the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, completing a patchwork where six autonomous councils operate alongside the regular divisional structure — a uniquely complex governance map among Indian states [2].
How to Study Divisions for ADRE
Memorise the five names and the district groupings (the overlap of Baksa/Udalguri is a favourite trick question), plus the BTR's council-led nature and the 2020 Accord date 1] [2]. Connect this page to [district administration for the tier below and to the Assam Accord history for the BTR's roots. Practise the Assam administration and Indian polity question banks, log progress in the study planner, and verify with mock tests scored on the score calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many administrative divisions does Assam have?
Five: Upper Assam, Middle Assam, Lower Assam, Bodoland Territorial Region, and Barak Valley [1] [2].
Who heads an administrative division?
The Divisional Commissioner — a senior IAS officer supervising revenue, coordination, and development across the division's districts [1] [2].
Which districts form the BTR?
Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa, and Udalguri — administered by the elected Bodoland Territorial Council under the Sixth Schedule [1] [2].
When was the BTR reorganised under the current Accord?
Under the Bodoland Accord of January 2020 (the fourth Bodo accord), reducing the council area from 12 to 4 districts [1] [2].
Which division is linguistically distinct?
The Barak Valley division (Cachar, Karimganj, Hailakandi), which is Bengali-majority with Silchar as its hub [1] [2].
Which districts belong to both Lower Assam and the BTR?
Baksa and Udalguri — they sit in Lower Assam division and within the Bodoland Territorial Region [1] [2].
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References
[1]: https://assam.gov.in/about-us/396 "Districts — Government of Assam (assam.gov.in)"
[2]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Administration_of_Assam "Administration of Assam — Wikipedia"
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