Umaria district, a part of Shahdol division is a district of Madhya Pradesh state with its administrative headquarters located at Umaria town. Prior to the separation in 1998, Umaria was under the Shahdol district. Earlier, the place Umaria was under the rule of Lodhi Rajputs (Malgujars) and they constructed the marvellous Lakshmi Narayan temple on southern part of the bank of Narbada Barman Ghat. Kareli also called as Hathi Darwaza, a great gateway to pass their elephants was made by them on the steps of the northern part of the bank of Barman ghat. Later, all the wonderful creations of Lodhis were captured by the Baghel Rajputs of Rewa when the Lodhis were defeated in their hands. Moreover, after some time the place Umaria was declared as the Southern Capital of Rewa Riyasat. Since, from the very beginning Umaria was famous for its dense forests and tigers. Bandhavgarh forest was the game reserve of the Maharaja of Rewa.

Geographically, the district lies at 23°41'N latitude, 78°66'E longitude and 538 m Altitude. In the year 2023, there was a total 54.95% forest area of total geographical area. The district encompasses a geographical area of 4,076 sq km. and in terms of geographical area it occupies the ranks of 42nd in the state and 301st in India. It is bounded by Satna district on the North, Dindori district and Mandla district on the South, Katni district on the East and Shahdol district on the West. Most of its rainfall occurs in the monsoon season. The actual rainfall in the district was 1116.2 mm in the year of 2024-2025.

Administration wise, the district is divided into 3 sub-divisions namely Bandhavgarh, Manpur and Pali. The district comprises 5 tehsils such as Bandhavgarh, Chandia, Nowrozabad, Manpur and Pali. There are 1 Lok Sabha seat and 2 Assembly constituencies in the district. Moreover, the district comprises 7 towns and 653 villages. The administrative language in the district is Hindi.

According to 2011 census the district has a population of 6,44,758 including 3,30,674 are males and 3,14,084 are females. The district has a sex ratio of 950 females for every 1000 males. Furthermore, the district has an estimated projected population of 7,86,276 comprising 4,03,814 males and 3,82,462 females for the year 2026. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019–21), the district has an estimated sex ratio of 1,026 females and a child sex ratio of 1,005 females per 1,000 males. During the year 2001-2011 the population growth rate in the district was 24.96% out of which 24.72% were males and 25.22% were females. The population density in the district is 158 persons per sq. km. In the year 2023 the number of live births in the district was 16,866 out of which 8,329 were males and 8,537 were females. In the same year the number of deaths in the district was 3,958 out of which 2,289 were males and 1,669 were females. As per 2011 census the major religion in the district is Hindu with 96.24% of the total population. According to 2011 census the principal language in the district is Hindi with 98.35%.

The economy of the district is basically dependent on agriculture. The chief agricultural products in the district are jowar, mustard, teak, tendu, mahua, harra, rape, gram, kodon, maize, paddy, wheat, etc. The adoption of the new agricultural technologies amongst the famers of the district helps to increase the production of various agricultural items. The district is scantily industrialised. Major portion of the district is covered by dense forests. The district is also abundant in mineral resources. Coal is the vital mineral found in the district and the South Eastern Coalfield Limited in the district is its live example. Now-a-days the tourism in the district is quite well developed. The district is famous for its Bandhavgarh National Park and Sanjay Gandhi Thermal Power Station. Every year a huge chunk of revenue comes from the tourism sector helps in its economy to a great extent. In 2006 the Ministry of Panchayati Raj declared Umaria as one of the country's 250 most backward districts and currently receiving funds from the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme (BRGF). In the year 2022-2023 the Gross Domestic Product in the district was Rs. 8,94,636 lakh at current price and Rs. 4,22,823 lakh at constant 2011-2012 prices. The Net Domestic Product in the district during the period 2022-2023 was Rs. 8,17,719 lakh at current price and Rs. 3,71,453 lakh at constant 2011-2012 prices. The Per Capita Income or NDDP, At Factor Cost in the district during the period 2022-2023 was Rs. 1,06,919 at current price and Rs. 48,568 at constant 2011-2012 prices.

Educationally, the district is not so developed since it has only some private educational institutions and two government colleges namely Ran Vijay Pratap Singh Govt College and Govt College (Birsinghpur-pali). As per 2011 census the literacy rate in the district is 65.89% out of which 76.02% are males and 55.23% 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 67.53% including 83.96% are males and 47.77% are females (Age 7 Years and Above).

The district has several centres of attraction which allures travellers from the different parts of the country as well as world. Bandhavgarh fort, located at a distance of 41 km. from the Umaria town is a place of significant archaeological and historical importance, stands on a hill at an attitude of almost 2430 metres above sea-level. Chandia, a place is situated 21 km. away from Umaria has the most prominent Chandia Khas temple, dedicated to Goddess Kalika. The place has also an ancient temple of Lord Rama and his consort Janaki. Pilgrims from far distance places come to these temples to offer their prayers. Pali, a pious place located at a distance of about 36 km. from Umaria has a renowned temple of Goddess Kali and some jain temples. Some other notable temples of Umaria town are Sagara temple, Jwalamukhi temple, Mariwal temple, etc.