India is often described as a land of villages. Even in 2026, despite rapid urbanization, a large share of the population continues to live in rural areas. Understanding how many revenue villages exist in India is important for researchers, students, policy planners, competitive exam aspirants, and anyone interested in Indian geography and administration.
As per the latest consolidated government and census-based records available up to 2026 (largely based on Census 2011 data with subsequent administrative updates), India has approximately 6.6 to 6.7 lakh revenue villages across all States and Union Territories. The exact number varies slightly due to creation of new districts, bifurcation of villages, and changes in administrative boundaries.
In this article, we will explain what a revenue village is, how it differs from a census village, and provide a state-wise overview of revenue villages in India.
What Is a Revenue Village?
A revenue village is the smallest administrative unit in rural India recognized for land revenue purposes. It has clearly defined boundaries and is recorded in land revenue records. Each revenue village may contain:
• One main settlement
• Multiple hamlets
• Agricultural land
• Forest land or grazing areas
It functions as the basic unit for land ownership records, property taxation, and rural administration.
Revenue villages are crucial for:
• Land record maintenance
• Agricultural statistics
• Rural development schemes
• Panchayati Raj administration
• Implementation of welfare programs
Revenue Village vs Census Village
Many people confuse revenue villages with census villages. Though they often overlap, they are not always identical.
A census village is a unit used by the Census of India for population enumeration. In many cases, one revenue village equals one census village. However:
• A large revenue village may be divided into multiple census villages.
• A census village may sometimes include more than one small revenue village.
Revenue villages are based on land and administrative records. Census villages are based on demographic enumeration.
Total Revenue Villages in India (2026 Estimate)
Based on official census data and state administrative updates, India has approximately:
Around 6,60,000 to 6,70,000 revenue villages
Out of these, about 6,40,000+ are inhabited villages, while the rest are uninhabited due to forest areas, deserts, border zones, or other geographical factors.
State-Wise Revenue Villages in India (Approximate Figures)
Below is a state-wise overview based on latest available consolidated data:
Uttar Pradesh – Around 1,07,000+ villages
Bihar – Around 45,000+ villages
Madhya Pradesh – Around 55,000+ villages
Rajasthan – Around 44,000+ villages
Maharashtra – Around 43,000+ villages
West Bengal – Around 40,000+ villages
Andhra Pradesh – Around 26,000+ villages
Telangana – Around 10,000+ villages
Tamil Nadu – Around 16,000+ villages
Karnataka – Around 29,000+ villages
Gujarat – Around 18,000+ villages
Odisha – Around 51,000+ villages
Jharkhand – Around 32,000+ villages
Chhattisgarh – Around 20,000+ villages
Assam – Around 26,000+ villages
Punjab – Around 13,000+ villages
Haryana – Around 7,000+ villages
Himachal Pradesh – Around 20,000+ villages
Uttarakhand – Around 16,000+ villages
Kerala – Around 1,500+ villages
Goa – Around 400+ villages
Tripura – Around 900+ villages
Manipur – Around 2,500+ villages
Meghalaya – Around 6,000+ villages
Nagaland – Around 1,400+ villages
Arunachal Pradesh – Around 5,000+ villages
Mizoram – Around 800+ villages
Sikkim – Around 400+ villages
Union Territories (combined) – Around 1,000+ villages
These figures may change slightly as new villages are notified or administrative boundaries are reorganized.
Which State Has the Highest Number of Revenue Villages?
Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of revenue villages in India. This is due to:
• Large population
• Extensive rural settlement
• Historical land settlement patterns
• Large agricultural base
Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, and Rajasthan also have very high village counts due to their large geographical area and rural spread.
Why Kerala Has Fewer Villages
Kerala appears to have a relatively small number of revenue villages compared to northern states. This is because:
• Villages in Kerala are geographically larger
• Rural and urban areas are more integrated
• Administrative divisions differ historically
Kerala’s settlement pattern is linear and dispersed, unlike compact village clusters in north India.
Uninhabited Villages in India
A significant number of revenue villages in India are officially uninhabited. These include:
• Forest villages
• Desert villages (Rajasthan)
• Border villages (Arunachal Pradesh, Ladakh)
• Villages submerged due to dams
• Villages abandoned due to migration
Uninhabited villages still exist in land records but have no resident population.
Trends: Villages vs Urban Growth
India’s rural landscape is slowly changing. While the total number of revenue villages remains relatively stable, urbanization is increasing. Some trends include:
• Conversion of villages into census towns
• Inclusion of villages into municipal limits
• Migration from rural to urban areas
• Creation of new villages after bifurcation
Despite urban growth, India continues to remain predominantly rural in administrative structure.
Role of Revenue Villages in Governance
Revenue villages form the backbone of rural governance in India. Many government schemes are implemented at the village level, including:
• PM Awas Yojana
• MGNREGA
• Rural electrification programs
• Jal Jeevan Mission
• Agricultural subsidy schemes
Land disputes, mutation records, and property ownership are maintained at the revenue village level.
Village boundaries also determine Panchayat jurisdictions and electoral constituencies.
Future Outlook: Will the Number of Villages Increase?
The number of revenue villages may slightly increase in coming years due to:
• Subdivision of large villages
• Administrative reorganization
• Creation of new states or districts
However, rapid urban expansion may also reduce rural classification in some regions.
The overall count is expected to remain around 6.6 to 6.8 lakh in the near future unless major administrative restructuring occurs.
Data Sources
The figures in this article are based on:
• Census of India 2011 village directory
• State revenue department records
• Ministry of Rural Development data
• Administrative updates till 2026
For official use, readers should consult respective state government revenue portals.
Conclusion
As of 2026, India has approximately 6.6 to 6.7 lakh revenue villages across its States and Union Territories. Uttar Pradesh leads in village count, while smaller states and Union Territories have relatively fewer villages due to geographic and administrative differences. Revenue villages remain the foundational unit of rural governance, land management, and development planning in India. Even as India urbanizes, the village continues to play a central role in shaping the country’s demographic, economic, and administrative structure.
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