Markapuram district is a district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It was constituted as part of the reorganisation of districts in Andhra Pradesh that came into effect on 4 April 2022, when the state government restructured the existing 13 districts into 26. The district takes its name from its headquarters town, Markapur, located in the Rayalaseema-bordering interior region of the state.
| Key facts | |
|---|---|
| Country | India |
| State | Andhra Pradesh |
| Headquarters | Markapur |
| Formed | 4 April 2022 |
| Type | Revenue district |
Before April 2022, the area now comprising Markapuram district was part of the erstwhile Prakasam district. The Government of Andhra Pradesh, under the policy of creating smaller administrative units broadly aligned with parliamentary constituencies, carved out Markapuram district by grouping mandals from the western and northern parts of the former Prakasam district. The reorganisation was intended to bring administration closer to citizens and to enable more focused planning in regions that were previously distant from district headquarters.
The district lies in the south-central part of Andhra Pradesh, in a transitional zone between the coastal plains and the Rayalaseema plateau. The terrain includes parts of the Nallamala Hills, dry deciduous forest tracts, and semi-arid agricultural land. The Gundlakamma river system drains parts of the district. The region is generally drier than the coastal districts to the east and depends substantially on tank irrigation and groundwater.
Markapuram district is administered by a District Collector and Magistrate, supported by officers responsible for revenue, police, panchayati raj, and development functions. For administrative purposes the district is organised into revenue divisions and mandals, with Markapur serving as the principal urban centre and seat of district offices.
The economy of the district is predominantly agrarian. Major crops include paddy, pulses, cotton, chillies, and oilseeds, with horticulture in pockets where irrigation is available. Markapur and its surrounding belt are historically associated with the slate and stone quarrying industry, with locally produced slabs used for flooring and roofing. Small-scale trade, handlooms, and dairying also contribute to local livelihoods.
The district contains several places of religious and historical interest. The temple town of Tripurantakam, associated with Shaivism and counted among the traditional Trilinga shrines marking the boundaries of the Telugu country, lies within the district. Parts of the Nallamala forest range, with their biodiversity and tribal settlements, fall within or adjoin the district's territory.