Zila (country subdivision) in the context of "Taluk"

A tehsil (Hindustani: [t̪ɛɦsiːl], also known as tahsil, taluk, or taluka (IPA: [t̪aːluːkaː t̪aːluːku]) is a local unit of administrative division in India and Pakistan. It is a subdistrict of the area within a district including the designated populated place that serves as its administrative centre, with possible additional towns, and usually a number of villages. The terms in India have replaced earlier terms, such as pargana (pergunnah) and thana.

In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, a newer unit called mandalamu (circle) has come to replace the tehsil system. A mandal is generally smaller than a tehsil, and is meant for facilitating local self-government in the panchayat system. In West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, community development blocks (CDBs) are the empowered grassroots administrative unit, replacing tehsils.

A district (zila), also known as revenue district, is an administrative division of an Indian state or territory. In some cases, districts are further subdivided into sub-divisions, and in others directly into tehsils or talukas. As of 9 November 2025, there are a total of 780 districts in India. This count includes Mahe and Yanam which are Census districts and not Administrative districts and also includes the temporary Maha Kumbh Mela district but excludes Itanagar Capital Complex which has a Deputy Commissioner but is not an official district.