Introduction

For India, the first-level administrative divisions are called states and union territories, and the second-level divisions are districts. Apart from the national census, India does not promulgate a single national statistical geographic classification; rather, each state maintains dated lists of areas and administrative mutations. We have synthesized these into coherent annual lists ("geo code vintages") at the two levels, which you can use to answer questions like "at time T, what are the component districts D of state S?" We account for the three possible circumstances:

1. The boundaries of an existing area change, but its name is retained -- Replace the area by declaring a new geo code, and substitute into the "after" vintage.
2. A new area is created, usually in conjunction with the redefinition of an existing area -- Declare a new geo code, and add to the "after" vintage.
3. An existing area is terminated, usually because it has fissioned -- Retire the geo code from the "after" vintage.

Note that a geo code may remain in statistical use even after the area has been terminated as an administrative entity. We do not double-guess our historical sources.

Summary of mutations

Table 1. Counts of areas at each geo level, and mutations between the vintages.

Specific mutations

Table 2. States or union territories retired.

Table 3. States or union territories added.

Table 4. Districts retired. Unless otherwise noted, we have dropped these geo codes from the "after" vintage.

Table 5. Districts added. Unless otherwise noted, new geo codes result from a "before" area which undergoes fission.

Reference files

The reference file is an Excel workbook with a separate worksheet for each geo type, tabulating (as applicable) the area name, type, census code, Data Buffet geo code, and parent state.

The "after" geo vintage:

• Go to: DataBuffet.com » menu:Documentation » Reference Files » Geographies »  India - Geographic Lists - 1999
• Direct link: IIND_GeographyLists_1999.xlsx

The "before" geo vintage:

• Go to: ... »  India - Geographic Lists - 1993
• Direct link: IIND_GeographyLists_1993.xlsx

References

• States of India
• Districts of India
• India Census 2011

See also

Background:

• Using Data Buffet: Geography changes
• Using Data Buffet: Geo wild cards
• Using Data Buffet: Geo lists
• Using Data Buffet: FIPS codes for geographies
• FAQ: Why doesn't Data Buffet use provider geo codes?