Upazila

An upazila (Bengali: উপজেলা, romanized: upôzela, lit.'sub-district' pronounced: ['upodʒela]), formerly called thana, is an administrative region in Bangladesh, functioning as a sub-unit of a district. It can be seen as an analogous to a county or a borough of Western countries. Rural upazilas are further administratively divided into union council areas (union parishads).

Upazila
CategoryAdministrative units
LocationBangladesh
Created
  • 1982
Number495
Populations596,886–1,634,750
Areas572–2,829 km²
Government
  • Upazila Nirbahi Officer; UNO (Administrator)
  • Upazila Parishad (Council)
  • UP Chairman (Executive)
Subdivisions
  • Union councils (4,554)

Bangladesh has 495 upazilas (as of 20 Oct 2022).[1][2][3] The upazilas are the second lowest tier of regional administration in Bangladesh. The administrative structure consists of divisions (8), districts (64), upazilas (495) and union parishads (UPs). This system of devolution was introduced by the former military ruler and president of Bangladesh, Lieutenant General Hossain Mohammad Ershad, in an attempt to strengthen local government.

Below UPs, villages (gram) and para exist, but these have no administrative power and elected members. The Local Government Ordinance of 1982 was amended a year later, redesignating and upgrading the existing thanas as upazilas.[4]

History

Upazilas were formerly known as thana, which literally means police station. Despite the meaning, thanas functioned much as an administrative and geographic region, much as today's upazilas. In 1982 thanas were re-termed to as upazilas with provisions for semi-autonomous local governance. This system was reverted to the thana system in 1992. Later in 1999 geographic regions under administrations of thanas were converted into upazilas.[5] All administrative terms in this level were renamed from thana to upazila. For instance, thana nirbahi officer (lit. thana executive officer) was renamed upazila nirbahi officer (lit. upazila executive officer).

The word thana is now used to solely refer to police stations. Generally, there is one police station for each upazila, but larger administrative units may have more than one police station covering different regions.

On 26 July 2021, Khandker Anwarul Islam announced the renaming of Dakshin Sunamganj Upazila to "Shantiganj Upazila" as well as the creation of three new upazilas; Eidgaon Upazila in Cox’s Bazar District, Modhyanagar Upazila in Sunamganj District and Dasar Upazila in Madaripur District.[6]

Administration

Upazila nirbahi officer

Upazila nirbahi officer (UNO, or upazila executive officer; Bengali: উপজেলা নির্বাহী কর্মকর্তা) is a non-elected administrator in an upazila. UNOs are senior assistant secretary of Bangladesh Civil Service (Administration) Cadre. They act as executive officer of the upazila under the elected posts.

Upazila parishad

Each upazila parishad (or council) has a chairman, a vice-chairman and a woman vice-chairman. All three are elected through direct popular election. Union parishad chairmen within the upazila are considered as the members of the porishod. The post of a woman vice-chairman was created to ensure at least one-third woman representation in the all elected posts of the local government.[7]

On 22 January 2010 the first election in 18 years of upazila porishod was held.[8]

Lists of upazilas

List of upazilas in Rajshahi Division
DistrictUpazila
Joypurhat District
  1. Akkelpur Upazila
  2. Joypurhat Sadar Upazila
  3. Kalai Upazila
  4. Khetlal Upazila
  5. Panchbibi Upazila
Bogura District
  1. Adamdighi Upazila
  2. Bogura Sadar Upazila
  3. Dhunat Upazila
  4. Dhupchanchia Upazila
  5. Gabtali Upazila
  6. Kahaloo Upazila
  7. Nandigram Upazila
  8. Sariakandi Upazila
  9. Shajahanpur Upazila
  10. Sherpur Upazila
  11. Shibganj Upazila
  12. Sonatola Upazila
Naogaon District
  1. Atrai Upazila
  2. Badalgachhi Upazila
  3. Manda Upazila
  4. Dhamoirhat Upazila
  5. Mohadevpur Upazila
  6. Naogaon Sadar Upazila
  7. Niamatpur Upazila
  8. Patnitala Upazila
  9. Porsha Upazila
  10. Raninagar Upazila
  11. Sapahar Upazila
Natore District
  1. Bagatipara Upazila
  2. Baraigram Upazila
  3. Gurudaspur Upazila
  4. Lalpur Upazila
  5. Natore Sadar Upazila
  6. Singra Upazila
  7. Naldanga Upazila
Nawabganj District
  1. Bholahat Upazila
  2. Gomastapur Upazila
  3. Nachole Upazila
  4. Nawabganj Sadar Upazila
  5. Shibganj Upazila
Pabna District
  1. Atgharia Upazila
  2. Bera Upazila
  3. Bhangura Upazila
  4. Chatmohar Upazila
  5. Faridpur Upazila
  6. Ishwardi Upazila
  7. Pabna Sadar Upazila
  8. Santhia Upazila
  9. Sujanagar Upazila
Sirajganj District
  1. Belkuchi Upazila
  2. Chauhali Upazila
  3. Kamarkhanda Upazila
  4. Kazipur Upazila
  5. Raiganj Upazila
  6. Shahjadpur Upazila
  7. Sirajganj Sadar Upazila
  8. Tarash Upazila
  9. Ullahpara Upazila
Rajshahi District
  1. Bagha Upazila
  2. Bagmara Upazila
  3. Charghat Upazila
  4. Durgapur Upazila
  5. Godagari Upazila
  6. Mohanpur Upazila
  7. Paba Upazila
  8. Puthia Upazila
  9. Tanore Upazila
List of Upazilas in Rangpur Division
DistrictUpazila
Dinajpur District
  1. Birampur Upazila
  2. Birganj Upazila
  3. Biral Upazila
  4. Bochaganj Upazila
  5. Chirirbandar Upazila
  6. Phulbari Upazila
  7. Ghoraghat Upazila
  8. Hakimpur Upazila
  9. Kaharole Upazila
  10. Khansama Upazila
  11. Dinajpur Sadar Upazila
  12. Nawabganj Upazila
  13. Parbatipur Upazila
Gaibandha District
  1. Phulchhari Upazila
  2. Gaibandha Sadar Upazila
  3. Gobindaganj Upazila
  4. Palashbari Upazila
  5. Sadullapur Upazila
  6. Sughatta Upazila
  7. Sundarganj Upazila
Kurigram District
  1. Bhurungamari Upazila
  2. Char Rajibpur Upazila
  3. Chilmari Upazila
  4. Phulbari Upazila
  5. Kurigram Sadar Upazila
  6. Nageshwari Upazila
  7. Rajarhat Upazila
  8. Raomari Upazila
  9. Ulipur Upazila
Lalmonirhat District
  1. Aditmari Upazila
  2. Hatibandha Upazila
  3. Kaliganj Upazila
  4. Lalmonirhat Sadar Upazila
  5. Patgram Upazila
Nilphamari District
  1. Dimla Upazila
  2. Domar Upazila
  3. Jaldhaka Upazila
  4. Kishoreganj Upazila
  5. Nilphamari Sadar Upazila
  6. Saidpur Upazila
Panchagarh District
  1. Atwari Upazila
  2. Boda Upazila
  3. Debiganj Upazila
  4. Panchagarh Sadar Upazila
  5. Tetulia Upazila
Rangpur District
  1. Badarganj Upazila
  2. Gangachhara Upazila
  3. Kaunia Upazila
  4. Rangpur Sadar Upazila
  5. Mithapukur Upazila
  6. Pirgachha Upazila
  7. Pirganj Upazila
  8. Taraganj Upazila
Thakurgaon District
  1. Baliadangi Upazila
  2. Haripur Upazila
  3. Pirganj Upazila
  4. Ranisankail Upazila
  5. Thakurgaon Sadar Upazila
List of Upazilas in Mymensingh Division
DistrictUpazila
Netrokona District
  1. Atpara Upazila
  2. Barhatta Upazila
  3. Durgapur Upazila
  4. Khaliajuri Upazila
  5. Kalmakanda Upazila
  6. Kendua Upazila
  7. Madan Upazila
  8. Mohanganj Upazila
  9. Netrokona Sadar Upazila
  10. Purbadhala Upazila
Sherpur District
  1. Jhenaigati Upazila
  2. Nakla Upazila
  3. Nalitabari Upazila
  4. Sherpur Sadar Upazila
  5. Sreebardi Upazila
Jamalpur District
  1. Baksiganj Upazila
  2. Dewanganj Upazila
  3. Islampur Upazila
  4. Jamalpur Sadar Upazila
  5. Madarganj Upazila
  6. Melandaha Upazila
  7. Sarishabari Upazila
Mymensingh District
  1. Trishal Upazila
  2. Dhobaura Upazila
  3. Fulbaria Upazila
  4. Gafargaon Upazila
  5. Gauripur Upazila
  6. Haluaghat Upazila
  7. Ishwarganj Upazila
  8. Mymensingh Sadar Upazila
  9. Muktagachha Upazila
  10. Nandail Upazila
  11. Phulpur Upazila
  12. Bhaluka Upazila
  13. Tara Khanda Upazila
List of upazilas in Barishal Division
DistrictUpazila
Barguna District
  1. Amtali Upazila
  2. Bamna Upazila
  3. Barguna Sadar Upazila
  4. Betagi Upazila
  5. Patharghata Upazila
  6. Taltali Upazila
Barishal District
  1. Agailjhara Upazila
  2. Babuganj Upazila
  3. Bakerganj Upazila
  4. Banaripara Upazila
  5. Gaurnadi Upazila
  6. Hizla Upazila
  7. Barishal Sadar Upazila
  8. Mehendiganj Upazila
  9. Muladi Upazila
  10. Wazirpur Upazila
Bhola District
  1. Bhola Sadar Upazila
  2. Burhanuddin Upazila
  3. Char Fasson Upazila
  4. Daulatkhan Upazila
  5. Lalmohan Upazila
  6. Manpura Upazila
  7. Tazumuddin Upazila
Jhalokati District
  1. Jhalokati Sadar Upazila
  2. Kathalia Upazila
  3. Nalchity Upazila
  4. Rajapur Upazila
Patuakhali District
  1. Bauphal Upazila
  2. Dashmina Upazila
  3. Galachipa Upazila
  4. Kalapara Upazila
  5. Mirzaganj Upazila
  6. Patuakhali Sadar Upazila
  7. Rangabali Upazila
  8. Dumki Upazila
Pirojpur District
  1. Bhandaria Upazila
  2. Kawkhali Upazila
  3. Mathbaria Upazila
  4. Nazirpur Upazila
  5. Pirojpur Sadar Upazila
  6. Nesarabad (Swarupkati) Upazila
  7. Indurkani Upazila
List of upazilas in Chattogram Division
DistrictUpazila
Bandarban District
  1. Ali Kadam Upazila
  2. Bandarban Sadar Upazila
  3. Lama Upazila
  4. Naikhongchhari Upazila
  5. Rowangchhari Upazila
  6. Ruma Upazila
  7. Thanchi Upazila
Brahmanbaria District
  1. Akhaura Upazila
  2. Bancharampur Upazila
  3. Brahmanbaria Sadar Upazila
  4. Kasba Upazila
  5. Nabinagar Upazila
  6. Nasirnagar Upazila
  7. Sarail Upazila
  8. Ashuganj Upazila
  9. Bijoynagar Upazila
Chandpur District
  1. Chandpur Sadar Upazila
  2. Faridganj Upazila
  3. Haimchar Upazila
  4. Haziganj Upazila
  5. Kachua Upazila
  6. Matlab Dakshin Upazila
  7. Matlab Uttar Upazila
  8. Shahrasti Upazila
Chattogram District
  1. Anwara Upazila
  2. Banshkhali Upazila
  3. Boalkhali Upazila
  4. Chandanaish Upazila
  5. Fatikchhari Upazila
  6. Hathazari Upazila
  7. Karnaphuli Upazila
  8. Lohagara Upazila
  9. Mirsharai Upazila
  10. Patiya Upazila
  11. Rangunia Upazila
  12. Raozan Upazila
  13. Sandwip Upazila
  14. Satkania Upazila
  15. Sitakunda Upazila
Cumilla District
  1. Barura Upazila
  2. Brahmanpara Upazila
  3. Burichang Upazila
  4. Chandina Upazila
  5. Chauddagram Upazila
  6. Daudkandi Upazila
  7. Debidwar Upazila
  8. Homna Upazila
  9. Laksam Upazila
  10. Lalmai Upazila
  11. Muradnagar Upazila
  12. Nangalkot Upazila
  13. Cumilla Adarsha Sadar Upazila
  14. Meghna Upazila
  15. Titas Upazila
  16. Monohargonj Upazila
  17. Cumilla Sadar Dakshin Upazila
Cox's Bazar District
  1. Chakaria Upazila
  2. Cox's Bazar Sadar Upazila
  3. Kutubdia Upazila
  4. Maheshkhali Upazila
  5. Ramu Upazila
  6. Teknaf Upazila
  7. Ukhia Upazila
  8. Pekua Upazila
  9. Eidgaon Upazila
Feni District
  1. Chhagalnaiya Upazila
  2. Daganbhuiyan Upazila
  3. Feni Sadar Upazila
  4. Parshuram Upazila
  5. Sonagazi Upazila
  6. Fulgazi Upazila
Khagrachhari District
  1. Dighinala Upazila
  2. Khagrachhari Upazila
  3. Lakshmichhari Upazila
  4. Mahalchhari Upazila
  5. Manikchhari Upazila
  6. Matiranga Upazila
  7. Panchhari Upazila
  8. Ramgarh Upazila
Lakshmipur District
  1. Lakshmipur Sadar Upazila
  2. Raipur Upazila
  3. Ramganj Upazila
  4. Ramgati Upazila
  5. Kamalnagar Upazila
Noakhali District
  1. Begumganj Upazila
  2. Noakhali Sadar Upazila
  3. Chatkhil Upazila
  4. Companiganj Upazila
  5. Hatiya Upazila
  6. Senbagh Upazila
  7. Sonaimuri Upazila
  8. Subarnachar Upazila
  9. Kabirhat Upazila
Rangamati District
  1. Bagaichhari Upazila
  2. Barkal Upazila
  3. Kawkhali (Betbunia) Upazila
  4. Belaichhari Upazila
  5. Kaptai Upazila
  6. Juraichhari Upazila
  7. Langadu Upazila
  8. Naniyachar Upazila
  9. Rajasthali Upazila
  10. Rangamati Sadar Upazila
List of upazilas in Dhaka Division
DistrictUpazila
Dhaka District
  1. Dhamrai Upazila
  2. Dohar Upazila
  3. Keraniganj Upazila
  4. Nawabganj Upazila
  5. Savar Upazila
Gazipur District
  1. Gazipur Sadar Upazila
  2. Kaliakair Upazila
  3. Kaliganj Upazila
  4. Kapasia Upazila
  5. Sreepur Upazila
Gopalganj District
  1. Gopalganj Sadar Upazila
  2. Kashiani Upazila
  3. Kotalipara Upazila
  4. Muksudpur Upazila
  5. Tungipara Upazila
Kishoreganj District
  1. Austagram Upazila
  2. Bajitpur Upazila
  3. Bhairab Upazila
  4. Hossainpur Upazila
  5. Itna Upazila
  6. Karimganj Upazila
  7. Katiadi Upazila
  8. Kishoreganj Sadar Upazila
  9. Kuliarchar Upazila
  10. Mithamain Upazila
  11. Nikli Upazila
  12. Pakundia Upazila
  13. Tarail Upazila
Madaripur District
  1. Rajoir Upazila
  2. Madaripur Sadar Upazila
  3. Kalkini Upazila
  4. Shibchar Upazila
  5. Dasar Upazila
Manikganj District
  1. Daulatpur Upazila
  2. Ghior Upazila
  3. Harirampur Upazila
  4. Manikgonj Sadar Upazila
  5. Saturia Upazila
  6. Shivalaya Upazila
  7. Singair Upazila
Munshiganj District
  1. Gazaria Upazila
  2. Lohajang Upazila
  3. Munshiganj Sadar Upazila
  4. Sirajdikhan Upazila
  5. Sreenagar Upazila
  6. Tongibari Upazila
Narayanganj District
  1. Araihazar Upazila
  2. Bandar Upazila
  3. Narayanganj Sadar Upazila
  4. Rupganj Upazila
  5. Sonargaon Upazila
Rajbari District
  1. Baliakandi Upazila
  2. Goalandaghat Upazila
  3. Pangsha Upazila
  4. Rajbari Sadar Upazila
  5. Kalukhali Upazila
Shariatpur District
  1. Bhedarganj Upazila
  2. Damudya Upazila
  3. Gosairhat Upazila
  4. Naria Upazila
  5. Shariatpur Sadar Upazila
  6. Zajira Upazila
  7. Shakhipur Upazila
Faridpur District
  1. Alfadanga Upazila
  2. Bhanga Upazila
  3. Boalmari Upazila
  4. Charbhadrasan Upazila
  5. Faridpur Sadar Upazila
  6. Madhukhali Upazila
  7. Nagarkanda Upazila
  8. Sadarpur Upazila
  9. Saltha Upazila
Tangail District
  1. Gopalpur Upazila
  2. Basail Upazila
  3. Bhuapur Upazila
  4. Delduar Upazila
  5. Ghatail Upazila
  6. Kalihati Upazila
  7. Madhupur Upazila
  8. Mirzapur Upazila
  9. Nagarpur Upazila
  10. Sakhipur Upazila
  11. Dhanbari Upazila
  12. Tangail Sadar Upazila
Narsingdi District
  1. Narsingdi Sadar Upazila
  2. Belabo Upazila
  3. Monohardi Upazila
  4. Palash Upazila
  5. Raipura Upazila
  6. Shibpur Upazila
List of upazilas in Khulna Division
DistrictUpazila
Bagerhat District
  1. Bagerhat Sadar Upazila
  2. Chitalmari Upazila
  3. Fakirhat Upazila
  4. Kachua Upazila
  5. Mollahat Upazila
  6. Mongla Upazila
  7. Morrelganj Upazila
  8. Rampal Upazila
  9. Sarankhola Upazila
Chuadanga District
  1. Alamdanga Upazila
  2. Chuadanga Sadar Upazila
  3. Damurhuda Upazila
  4. Jibannagar Upazila
Jashore District
  1. Abhaynagar Upazila
  2. Bagherpara Upazila
  3. Chaugachha Upazila
  4. Jhikargachha Upazila
  5. Keshabpur Upazila
  6. Jashore Sadar Upazila
  7. Manirampur Upazila
  8. Sharsha Upazila
Jhenaida District
  1. Harinakunda Upazila
  2. Jhenaidah Sadar Upazila
  3. Kaliganj Upazila
  4. Kotchandpur Upazila
  5. Maheshpur Upazila
  6. Shailkupa Upazila
Khulna District
  1. Batiaghata Upazila
  2. Dacope Upazila
  3. Dumuria Upazila
  4. Dighalia Upazila
  5. Koyra Upazila
  6. Paikgachha Upazila
  7. Phultala Upazila
  8. Rupsha Upazila
  9. Terokhada Upazila
Kushtia District
  1. Bheramara Upazila
  2. Daulatpur Upazila
  3. Khoksa Upazila
  4. Kumarkhali Upazila
  5. Kushtia Sadar Upazila
  6. Mirpur Upazila
Magura District
  1. Magura Sadar Upazila
  2. Mohammadpur Upazila
  3. Shalikha Upazila
  4. Sreepur Upazila
Meherpur District
  1. Gangni Upazila
  2. Meherpur Sadar Upazila
  3. Mujibnagar Upazila
Narail District
  1. Kalia Upazila
  2. Lohagara Upazila
  3. Narail Sadar Upazila
  4. Naragati Thana
Satkhira District
  1. Assasuni Upazila
  2. Debhata Upazila
  3. Kalaroa Upazila
  4. Kaliganj Upazila
  5. Satkhira Sadar Upazila
  6. Shyamnagar Upazila
  7. Tala Upazila
List of upazilas in Sylhet Division
DistrictUpazila
Habiganj District
  1. Ajmiriganj Upazila
  2. Bahubal Upazila
  3. Baniyachong Upazila
  4. Chunarughat Upazila
  5. Habiganj Sadar Upazila
  6. Lakhai Upazila
  7. Madhabpur Upazila
  8. Nabiganj Upazila
  9. Shayestaganj Upazila
Moulvibazar District
  1. Barlekha Upazila
  2. Juri Upazila
  3. Kamalganj Upazila
  4. Kulaura Upazila
  5. Moulvibazar Sadar Upazila
  6. Rajnagar Upazila
  7. Sreemangal Upazila
Sunamganj District
  1. Bishwamvarpur Upazila
  2. Chhatak Upazila
  3. Shantiganj Upazila
  4. Derai Upazila
  5. Dharamapasha Upazila
  6. Dowarabazar Upazila
  7. Jagannathpur Upazila
  8. Jamalganj Upazila
  9. Sullah Upazila
  10. Sunamganj Sadar Upazila
  11. Tahirpur Upazila
  12. Modhyanagar Upazila
Sylhet District
  1. Balaganj Upazila
  2. Beanibazar Upazila
  3. Bishwanath Upazila
  4. Companigonj Upazila
  5. Dakshin Surma Upazila
  6. Fenchuganj Upazila
  7. Golapganj Upazila
  8. Gowainghat Upazila
  9. Jaintiapur Upazila
  10. Kanaighat Upazila
  11. Osmani Nagar Upazila
  12. Sylhet Sadar Upazila
  13. Zakiganj Upazila

See also

  • Divisions of Bangladesh
  • Districts of Bangladesh
  • Villages of Bangladesh
  • Unions of Bangladesh

References

  1. "Govt to form 3 new upazilas in three districts". 27 July 2021.
  2. "upazila List". Bangladesh National Portal.
  3. "New upazila to be formed in Comilla". NTV. 9 January 2017. Retrieved 20 June 2017.
  4. Kamal Siddiqui (2012). "Local Government". In Sirajul Islam and Ahmed A. Jamal (ed.). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
  5. AMM Shawkat Ali (2012). "Thana". In Sirajul Islam and Ahmed A. Jamal (ed.). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
  6. "Three new upazilas in Madaripur, Cox's Bazar and Sunamganj". Dhaka Tribune. 26 July 2021.
  7. "All about upazila parishad". The Daily Star. 22 January 2009. Archived from the original on 16 December 2016.
  8. "Upazila polls influenced". The Daily Star. 23 January 2009.
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