Nuapada district is a district of Odisha state with its administrative headquarters located at Nuapada town. It is situated in the western part of Odisha. The present day’s Nuapada district was a part of the Kalahandi district until the early March, 1993. Later due to the administrative difficulties, the district of Kalahandi was divided into two parts namely Kalahandi and Nuapada. The history of the Nuapada district is not very clear. During different periods of time the region was ruled by many great rulers from prominent dynasties. Nuapada as a separate district came into existence in the map of Odisha state on 1st April, 1993.

Geographically, the district lies at 20°82' N latitude and 82°53' E longitude. The altitude in the district is 344 m. In the year 2021, there was a total 33.46% forest area of total geographical area. The district encompasses a geographical area of 3,852 sq. kms. and it is bounded by Chhattisgarh on the North and West, Kalahandi district on the South and Balangir district and Bargarh district on the East. The significant rivers in the district are Udayanti River and Sundar River. The climate of the district remains extremely hot during the summer and fairly cold during the winter. Most of its rainfall occurs in the monsoon season. The actual rainfall in the district was 1160.2 mm in the year of 2021-22.

Administration wise, the district is divided into one sub-division namely Nuapada. Moreover, it comprises 6 sub-districts, 2 towns and 668 villages. The administrative language in the district is Oriya.

According to 2011 census the district has a population of 6,10,382 out of which 3,01,962 are males and 3,08,420 are females. The district has a sex ratio of 1021 (females for every 1000 males). In the year 2001-2011 the population growth rate in the district was 15.02% including 14.21% are males and 15.82% are females. As per 2011 census the major religion in the district is Hindu with 98.48% of the total population. The population density in the district is 158 (persons per sq. kms.). As per 2011 census the principal languages in the district are Oriya and Hindi with 81.75% and 16.98%. In the year 2020 the number of live births in the district was 17,258 out of which 8,751 were males and 8,507 were females. In the same year the number of deaths in the district was 5,868 out of which 3,436 were males and 2,432 were females.

The economy of the district is mainly based on agricultural sector and forestry. Most of the population in the district are engaged in agriculture in order to earn their livelihood. The chief agricultural products in the district are paddy, mustard, sunflower, mango, groundnut, grams, etc. The three prominent irrigation projects in the district such as the Upper Jonk, the Sunder dam and the Lower Indira Irrigation Project helps in its agricultural land remarkably. Every year a huge chunk of revenue comes from the agricultural products in the district helps in its economy to a great extent. The forest resources commonly available in the district are leaf, bamboo, broom grass, timber, teak, etc. It is also rich in mineral resources like laterite, graphite, bauxite, lime stone, gem stone, etc. But the district is scantily industrialised. In 2006 the Ministry of Panchayati Raj declared Nuapada as one of the country's 250 most backward districts (out of a total of 640) and currently receiving funds from the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme (BRGF). In the year 2011-12 the gross domestic product in the district was Rs. 2,20,599 lakhs at current price and Rs. 1,37,497 lakhs at constant prices in the year 2004-2005. The net domestic product in the district during the period 2011-12 was Rs. 2,00,052 lakh at current price and Rs. 1,22,825 lakh at constant prices in the year 2004-2005. The Per Capita Income or NDDP, At Factor Cost during the period 2011-12 was Rs. 32,765 at current price and Rs. 20,116 at constant prices in the year 2004-2005.

The district is well known 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 57.35% including 70.29% are males and 44.76% are females. The literate population in the district is 2,99,383 out of which 1,80,903 are males and 1,18,480 are females.

The district has several centres of attraction which allures many travellers from different parts of the country as well as world. Yogeswar temple, situated at a distance of 18 kms. from the Nuapada town at a place called Patora is popular for its unique and ancient Shiva Linga. Khariar, the largest town of the district is one of its major transportation hubs. The southern part of Nuapada district is at most depends upon Khariar for most of the activities. Some other notable places of interest in the district are Patalganga, Pataleswar temple, Budhikomna, Sunabeda, Maraguda, Rajiv Udyan and many more. In the year of 2019, there were total 2,42,567 domestic tourists who visited here.