North 24 Parganas district with 24.22% Muslims (in 2001) has been identified as a minority concentrated district by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India. 11 districts in West Bengal has been identified as minority concentrated districts, all in Muslim minority category: Murshidabad, Malda, Uttar Dinajpur, Dakshin Dinajpur, Birbhum, Nadia, Bardhaman, Howrah, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas and Cooch Behar. After these districts were identified Bardhaman district has been bifurcated into Purba Bardhaman district and Paschim Bardhaman district.