North 24 Parganas Becomes India’s Most Populated District

“”North 24 Parganas”” in “”West Bengal”” has officially become the “”most populated district in India””, surpassing Thane in Maharashtra, according to recent demographic estimates for 2025. With a population of “”about 10.9 million”” and a “”density of 2,469 people per square kilometre””, it ranks among the “”most crowded regions in the world””.

How North 24 Parganas Rose to the Top

The district, which forms an integral part of the “”Kolkata Metropolitan Region””, owes its population surge to its urban expansion and strong economic linkages with Kolkata. It includes rapidly developing areas such as “”Salt Lake, Rajarhat, Barasat, and Barrackpore””. Its proximity to Kolkata, affordability, and access to employment in the IT and service sectors have drawn people from across eastern India.

Historically, population growth accelerated after the “”Partition of India in 1947″”, when millions of refugees from East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) settled in the region. The area later separated from the larger 24 Parganas district in “”1986″”, forming the present North 24 Parganas.

Thane’s Decline and Demographic Shift

Previously, “”Thane district in Maharashtra”” held the top spot with “”11.06 million people”” as per the “”2011 Census””. However, in “”2014″”, Thane was bifurcated to create “”Palghar district””, reducing its population to around “”8.07 million””. This administrative change allowed North 24 Parganas to overtake Thane in population rankings.

Other heavily populated districts now include “”Bengaluru””, “”Pune””, and “”Mumbai Suburban””, each recording between “”9 and 9.6 million people””.

Urban Growth and Economic Drivers

North 24 Parganas hosts “”over 1,500 IT firms”” and employs nearly “”3.5 lakh workers””, mainly in Salt Lake and New Town. The region’s expanding metro rail connectivity, road networks, and new residential projects have made it a magnet for migrants. Additionally, the district maintains a strong “”agricultural and fisheries economy””, with villages shifting gradually toward semi-urban lifestyles due to industrialisation.

Exam Oriented Facts

• Most Populated District (2025 Estimate): North 24 Parganas, West Bengal
• Population: 10.9 million (approx.)
• Population Density: 2,469 people per sq km
• Previous Leader: Thane, Maharashtra (split in 2014)
• Major Cities: Barasat, Barrackpore, Bidhannagar, Rajarhat
• Formation: Carved from Greater 24 Parganas in 1986
• Location: Part of Kolkata Metropolitan Region

Infrastructure and Urban Expansion

The district’s infrastructure is expanding rapidly, with “”new metro lines, flyovers, and smart city projects””. Bidhannagar and Rajarhat are now major hubs for IT and housing development, while “”Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport”” lies within the district.

With its growing urban sprawl, industrial presence, and dense population, North 24 Parganas today exemplifies both India’s rapid urbanisation and the challenges of managing demographic pressure in metropolitan regions.