Historically, the Senapati district was once called as the Manipur North District. It is located in the Northern part of the Manipur state. Earlier, headquarter was at Karong which later transferred the town Senapati.

Geographically, the district has a total 3,271 sq. km. area and occupies the rank 5th in State and 376th in India on the bases of this size. It lies at 25°27' N latitude, 94°02' E longitude and 1788 m altitude. In the year 2023, there was a total 75.27% forest area of total geographical area. It is surrounded by the Ukhrul District on the East, by Tamenglong District on the West, by the Phek District of the state of Nagaland on the North and by the Imphal East and Imphal West Districts on the South. The climate of the district remains pleasant almost throughout the year. Most of its rainfall occurs in the monsoon season. The actual rainfall in the district was 167.9 mm in the year of 2024-2025.

Administration wise, the district is divided into 5 sub-divisions namely Mao-Maram, Paomata, Purul, Willong, Chilivai-Phaibung, Song Song and Lairouching. The district comprises 1 town and 686 villages. Meiteilon (Manipuri) is its official language. In the state of Manipur with an allotted district code of 272 district of Senapati came into existence on 15th July, 1983 with its administrative headquarters located at Senapati, situated at a distance of 60 kms from the state capital.

Demographically, according to the 2011 census, the district has a total number of 34,487 households with a total population of 1,93,744 comprising 98,908 are males and 94,836 are females which causing it to rank 6th in the state and 591st in India. The density of population of the district is 59 (persons per sq km.). The sex ratio is pegged at 959 (females per 1000 males) while the child ratio stands at 918 (females per 1000 males). Furthermore, the district has projected population of 5,84,316 comprising 3,02,021 males and 2,82,295 females for the year 2026. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019–21), the district has an estimated sex ratio of 1,053 females and a child sex ratio of 909 females per 1,000 males. The population growth rate during the period 2001 to 2011 was 68.94% including 68.77% were males and 69.13% were females. In the year 2023 the number of live births in the district was 4,200 out of which 2,131 were males and 2,069 were females. In the same year the number of deaths in the district was 330 out of which 224 were males and 106 were females. As per 2011 census the major religion in the district is Christian with 89.08% of the total population. According to 2011 census the principal languages in the district are Thado and Nepali with 17.12% and 8.15%.

Economically, the district is dependent on agriculture primarily. In the year 2006-2007 the Gross Domestic Product in the district was Rs. 59,324 lakh at current price and Rs. 50,505 lakh at constant 1999-2000 prices. The Net Domestic Product in the district during the period 2006-2007 was Rs. 54,819 lakh at current price and Rs. 47,304 lakh at constant 1999-2000 prices. The Per Capita Income or NDDP, At Factor Cost in the district during the period 2006-2007 was Rs. 16,171 at current price and Rs. 3,390 at constant 1999-2000 prices.

Education wise, according to 2011 census, the literacy rate is 74.13% out of which 79.98% are males and 68.07% are females. The total literate population of the district is 1,24,182 including 68,169 are males and 68,169 are females. The total number of illiterates in the district is 2,14,671 including 99,311 are males and 1,15,360 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 87.80% including 90.91% are males and 84.75% are females (Age 7 Years and Above).

Karan Devi Memorial College, Mt Everest College, Sunshine Academy, Camps English Academy, St. Anthony’s High School, Alpha Bci Memorial Academy, Nielit Extension Centre, Bhakti Vedants Institute Mission Higher Secondary School, Zenith Academy are some of the main educational institutes of the district.

Mani Charenamei was the part of the 14th Lok Sabha of India as a representative of the Outer Manipur constituency of Manipur state. Boithang Haokip is a free-kick specialist Indian footballer. He plays for Shillong Lajong in the I-League in presemt. He is mainly a central midfielder but can play as a full-back or a wide player. Soso Lorho is an Indian politician. He was appointed as Minister in the Manipur state government at different times. He has also served as Acting Chief Minister, Minister for Health, Power, Cooperation, PHED and Statistics and Minister of Agriculture, PWD and Tribal Development. He was appointed as the president of the Manipur state unit of the Naga People’s Front in 2014.

In the year of 2019-20, there were total 5,133 domestic tourists and 243 foreign tourists who visited here. The district has several famous tourist places to visit. These places are Senapati, Mao, Dzuko Valley, Makhel Cave (Tadubi), Sadu Chiru Waterfalls, Megalith at Willong. Sadu Chiru Waterfalls is a beautiful water fall with natural beauty around it. There are three waterfalls. 'Agape Park’-a new park is located near by it. Dzuko valley is full of greenery and natural beauty. There is Mount Iso behind the valley which is the highest peak of Manipur. Mao is considered as the oldest hill station of Manipur. Willong Khullen is a village located on the Maram-Peren Road, popularly known for its stone erection.