Shimla, Oct. 15 -- Efforts to create new districts in Himachal Pradesh have gained momentum after the state government constituted a four-member commission headed by retired high court judge Dharam Chand Chaudhary.

Approved by the cabinet in May, the decision reopens a politically sensitive issue as the state prepares for assembly elections in December 2027.

This marks the first major administrative reorganisation exercise in the state in 54 years. The last reorganisation occurred on September 1, 1972, when three new districts were carved out of Kangra, increasing the total from nine to 12.

Besides justice Chaudhary, the panel includes advocate Vishal Panwar and retired Indian Forest Service officer Rajesh Sharma, with the director of ...