Divisions of Bangladesh
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Template:Infobox subdivision type Template:Politics of Bangladesh Divisions are the first-level administrative divisions in Bangladesh. As of 2024, there are eight divisions of Bangladesh, each named after the major city within its jurisdiction that also serves as the administrative seat of that division. Each division is divided into several districts which are further subdivided into upazilas (sub-districts), then union councils.
History
Following the independence of Bangladesh in 1971, the country had four divisions: Chittagong Division, Dacca Division, Khulna Division, and Rajshahi Division. In 1982, the English spelling of the Dacca Division (along with the name of the capital city) was changed into Dhaka Division to more closely match the Bengali pronunciation.
In 1993, Barisal Division was split off from Khulna Division, and in 1995, Sylhet Division was split off from Chittagong Division. On 25 January 2010, Rangpur Division was split off from Rajshahi Division.<ref name=Statoids>Template:Cite web</ref> On 14 September 2015, Mymensingh Division was split off from Dhaka Division and added as the eighth division. In 2015, the process started to create two more divisions: Comilla Division and Faridpur Division.<ref name="theindependentbd.com" /> In October 2021, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced the formation of two new divisions, Meghna and Padma, named after the eponymous rivers,<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref> in the places of Comilla and Faridpur Divisions. However, these names were later rejected.
Divisional Commissioner
Divisional Commissioner is the administrative head of a division. Divisional Commissioner is appointed by the government from an Additional Secretary level officer of Bangladesh Civil Service (B.C.S.) Administration Cadre. The role of a Divisional Commissioner's office is to act as the supervisory head of all the government offices (except the central government offices) situated in the division. A Divisional Commissioner is given the direct responsibility of supervising the revenue and development administration of a division. The Divisional Commissioner is assisted by the several Additional Divisional Commissioners, Senior Assistant Commissioners and other bureaucratic officials.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
List of divisions
The following table outlines some key statistics about the eight divisions of Bangladesh as found in the 2011 Population and Housing Census conducted by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (B.B.S.).
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Proposed divisions
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Two more divisions have been proposed to ease down administrative work load due to increase in population:<ref name=theindependentbd.com>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=thedailystar.net>Template:Cite news</ref> Their formation was confirmed in October 2021 by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.<ref name=":0" />
- Comilla Division – proposed to consist of the six northern districts of the current Chittagong Division: Brahmanbaria, Chandpur, Comilla, Feni, Laxmipur, and Noakhali.
- Faridpur Division – proposed to consist of Faridpur, Gopalganj, Madaripur, Rajbari, and Shariatpur districts.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Following the ousting of Sheikh Hasina, on 17 December 2024, the Public Administration Reform Commission of the Interim government of Bangladesh recommended the creation of the Comilla division and Faridpur division, and the integration of Tangail and Kishoreganj district into Mymensingh Division.<ref name=":1">Template:Cite web</ref>
According to the commission the proposed divisions are as follows:<ref name=":1" />
Evolution of Bangladesh administrative divisions
Administrative geography
East Pakistan inherited 17 districts from British Bengal.
In 1960, Lower Tippera was renamed Comilla.
In 1969, two new districts were created with Tangail separated from Mymensingh and Patuakhali from Bakerganj.
East Pakistan's districts are listed in the following.
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See also
- Tourism in Bangladesh
- List of archaeological sites in Bangladesh
- List of World Heritage Sites in Bangladesh
- Culture of Bangladesh
- ISO 3166 codes
- List of regions of Bangladesh by Human Development Index
- Districts of Bangladesh
- Upazilas of Bangladesh
- Union councils of Bangladesh
- List of cities and towns in Bangladesh
- Villages of Bangladesh
References
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