Delhi and New Delhi are not the same administrative unit—here is the accurate and updated difference

Delhi generally refers to the National Capital Territory of Delhi, which covers approximately 1,483 square kilometres. The NCT includes historic, central, suburban and rural areas—not only the government precinct commonly associated with New Delhi.

The NCT was reorganised from 11 to 13 revenue districts on December 25, 2025. The districts now include New Delhi, Old Delhi, Central, Central North, Outer North and eight others listed by the Delhi Revenue Department.

New Delhi is one of Delhi’s 13 revenue districts. The name is also commonly used for the national administrative core, much of which falls under the New Delhi Municipal Council. The often-quoted 42.7-square-kilometre figure refers to NDMC’s municipal jurisdiction, not every possible use of “New Delhi.”

The transfer of British India’s capital from Calcutta to Delhi was announced in 1911. Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker were central to planning the new administrative capital, which was formally inaugurated in 1931.

The NCT has an elected Legislative Assembly and Council of Ministers, subject to Delhi’s special constitutional arrangement. NDMC is a statutory municipal body responsible for civic services in its designated central area; it is not a replacement for the entire Government of NCT of Delhi.