Khunti district, a part of the South Chotanagpur division is a district of Jharkhand district with its administrative headquarters located at Khunti town. There is an intersting story of the past period is associated with district. Maharaja Madra Munda, the King of Chhotangapur had a son named Setea who had eight sons. The eldest one of these eight sons of Setea went towards the south side of Ranchi. Then there he established a village of Khuntkatti which later he named as Khunti. Therefore, at the very beginning the place Khunti was ruled by the Mundas. Mundas found that its neighbour regions were occupied by the Asuras and the Tirkis. But the Asuras and Tirkis of the nearby areas were got terribly frightened, when they saw the hefty physique of the Mundas. In the history of the place it has been mentioned that how the Tirkis fled in trops and the Asuras fled towards the Westside i.e. Basia Pargana and Nagra when they saw the Mundas move towards them with a lot of ornaments sparkling in the sun. As per one another story, it is said that the place got its name from the mythological character Kunti in the great epic, Mahabharata. Natives of the district believe that Kunti and her sons, the Pandavas, had spent some time in this place during their fourteen years of exile. This ancient theory has brought fame and glory to Khunti. Finally, Khunti as a separate district came into existence in the map of Jharkhand state on 12th September, 2007.

Birsa Munda, an eminent Indian tribal freedom fighter, religious leader and folk hero from the Munda tribe was born on 15th November, 1875 at Ulihatu in the Khunti district. He is the only tribal leader whose portrait hangs in the Central Hall of the Indian parliament.

Geographically, the district lies at 23°08'N latitude and 85°28'E longitude. The altitude in the district is 611 m. In the year 2021, there was a total 36.04% forest area of total geographical area. The district encompasses a geographical area of 2,535 sq. km. and it is bounded by Ranchi district on the North and East, West Singhbhum district on the South and Simdega district and Gumla district on the West. The principal rivers in the district are Tazna River and Banai River. Most its rainfall occurs in the monsoon season. Due to its climate, the tropical rain forest is very common here. The actual rainfall in the district was 1332.3 mm in the year of 2024-2025.

Administration wise, the district is divided into 6 development blocks namely Arki, Khunti, Murhu, Rania, Torpa and Karra. Moreover, it comprises 2 towns and 756 villages. The administrative language in the district is Hindi.

According to 2011 census the district has a population of 5,31,885 out of which 2,66,335 are males and 2,65,550 are females. The district has a sex ratio of 997 (females for every 1000 males). Furthermore, the district has an estimated projected population of 6,48,628 comprising 3,25,266 males and 3,23,362 females for the year 2026. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019–21), the district has an estimated sex ratio of 992 females and a child sex ratio of 778 females per 1,000 males. during the period 2001-2011 the population growth rate in the district was 22.32% including 22.01% were males and 22.64% were females. As per 2011 census the major religions in the district is Hindu and Christian with 26.11% and 25.65% of the total population. The population density in the district is 210 (persons per sq. km.). As per 2011 census the principal languages in the district are Mundari and Hindi with 61.72% and 35.98%. In the year 2023 the number of live births in the district was 18,359 out of which 9,314 were males and 9,044 were females. In the same year the number of deaths in the district was 2,148 out of which 1,502 were males and 646 were females.

The economy of the district is mainly dependent on the agricultural sector. Most of the tribal population in the district are engaged in the agricultural activities and forestry in order to earn their livelihood. The chief agricultural products in the district are peas, cauliflower, brinjal, tomato, French beans, etc. Lack of irrigation facility is the significant hurdle in the way of development of the agricultural sector but the place is blessed with good rainfall which helps to solve its irrigation problem. The area is well known for its Lac cultivation. Lac is a natural polymer (resin), produced by a tiny insect called Kerria lacca (Kerr). A large number of families of the district earn their extra income from the Lac cultivation. On the other hand, the district is scantily industrialised. In the year 2021-2022 the Gross Domestic Product in the district was Rs. 5,04,969 lakh at current price and Rs. 3,02,553 lakh at constant 2011-2012 prices. The Net Domestic Product in the district during the period 2021-2022 was Rs. 4,62,789 lakh at current price and Rs. 2,72,160 lakh at constant 2011-2012 prices. The Per Capita Income or NDDP, At Factor Cost in the district during the period 2021-2022 was Rs. 74,046 at current price and Rs. 43,546 at constant 2011-2012 prices.

The district is famous as an abode of several reputed educational institutions. It provides a platform for higher education. As per 2011 census the literacy rate in the district is 63.86% out of which 74.08% are males and 53.69% are females. The total number of literates in the district is 2,84,575 including 1,64,741 are males and 1,19,834 are females. In addition, according to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) for the period July 2023-June 2024 estimated literacy rate in the district is 93.90% including 100.00% are males and 88.77% are females (Age 7 Years and Above).

The district has several centres of attraction which allures many travellers from different parts of the country as well as world. Panchghagh Falls, a beautiful place with five beautiful cascaded in a row is located at a distance of 15 km. from Khunti. All these five falls come from high altitudes create mesmerising marvellous sceneries. It is a perfect place for nature’s lovers. Travellers from far off places come to this place for picnic, to have the experience of bath under the gushing water. Deer Park, in the district is located in picturesque surroundings with beautiful gardens with deer and playing parks for children. Angrabadi Temple in the district renamed as Amreshwar Dham by the Sage Shankaracharya Swami Swarupananda Saraswathi is surrounded by a calm and peaceful atmosphere. This is an excellent destination for spiritual enrichment and also for mental relaxation. Perwaghag, another most eye pleasing waterfalls in the district is situated near Torpa block.