At the time of formation, Kerala had only five districts: Malabar (part of the erstwhile Madras

State), Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kottayam and Thrissur (together constituting the

erstwhile Travancore-Cochin). On 1 January 1957, the Malabar district was divided into the districts
of Kozhikode, Palakkad, and Kannur. Alappuzha district was carved out of erstwhile Kottayam and
Kollam districts on 17 August 1957.[4] Ernakulam district was formed on 1 April 1958. Malappuram
district was formed on 6 June 1969 with Ernad and Tirur taluks of the erstwhile Kozhikode district
and Perinthalmanna and Ponnani taluks of Palakkad district. Idukki district was formed on 26
January 1972 with Devikulam, Udumbanchola and Peermedu taluks of the erstwhile Kottayam
district and Thodupuzha taluk of the erstwhile Ernakulam district. Wayanad district was formed on 1
November 1980 as the 12th district in Kerala by carving out areas from Kozhikode and Kannur
districts. Pathanamthitta district was formed on 1 July 1983 carving out the entire Pathanamthitta
taluk and nine villages of Kunnathur taluk from Kollam district, entire Thiruvalla taluk and part of
Chengannur and Mavelikkara taluks from Alapphuzha district and parts of Idukki district.Kasaragod
district was formed on 24 May 1984 as the 14th revenue district by carving out a major portion of the
erstwhile Kannur district.