Administration of Cuddapah district dates back to the olden days land administration as it existed during the reign of kings and kingdoms. Revenue collected from land was the major source of revenue in those days. The present system of preparing and maintaining land records originated during the rule of the Mughal dynasty and it reached its scientific form during the British Rule.

Administration of Cuddapah district is carried out through three revenue divisions- 1) Cuddapah, 2) Rajampeta and 3) Jammalamadugu consisting of 51 Mandals. It has two parliamentary constituencies and eleven assembly constituencies. The set up of administration in the district is as follows. At the district level, the District collector is at the highest capacity. He is reported to by the Joint Collector, who in turn is reported to by the district revenue officer, who in turn is reported to by the Revenue officer. At the Division level, the Revenue Divisional Officer (R.D.O) is reported to by the Divisional Administrative Officer (DAO). The administrative divisions at the Mandal level are such that the Mandal Revenue officer (MRO) is reported to by the Deputy MRO. Falling under his authority are the Mandal Revenue Inspector (RI), Surveyor, Asst Statistical Officer (ASO).

With the formation of a separate Andhra State, the Andhra Board of Revenue was formed in 1953. It was a replica of Madras Board (pre-independence). But it has 2 members, whereas Chennai Board has 5 members drawn from ICS. It was the link between the Government and the Districts. The first member was senior even to the then Chief Secretary to Government.

The integrated Board of Andhra Pradesh (Madras Board & Hyderabad Board), constituted on Madras Board pattern, enjoyed some of the powers of Hyderabad Board also. It was administered through the Board Standing Orders that form the basis of administration even today, and had 5 members on board. In 1957 National Savings Scheme was put under its charge.

Gradually the Board lost its position as the highest Body of Revenue. In some matters Board Standing Orders were altered by statutory amendments. Again special Secretaries to Government were created in 1961 and Board lost its distinction as the only administrative body with senior most officers, though Chief Secretaries were drawn from the Board Members. It lost its control over minor irrigation in 1962 and Endowments in 1964. The Panchayat Raj was withdrawn in 1970. But Tribal Welfare and PWD were added. In the Revenue Department, Commissioner of Revenue assisted the Board in its functioning. Secretary, Board`s Land revenue and Irrigation Branch, in turn assisted the Commissioner.

At District Level District Collectors, District Revenue Officers performed the revenue and administrative functions. Revenue Divisional Officers and Sub Collectors at Divisional Level, Tahsildars and Deputy Tahsildars at Tahsil Level, Revenue Inspectors and Girrwars at the Firka/ Circle Level and Village Officers/ Village Servants at the Village Level assisted the Collector.

The Board of Revenue was abolished by the "AP Board of Revenue replacement by Commissioners Act 1977". Commissioners were appointed in place of Board Members. The Commissioner of Land Revenue, Commissioner of Survey and Settlement, Commissioner of Excise, Commissioner of Commercial Taxes and Commissioner of Land Reforms & Urban Land Ceiling exercised the powers of Members. In 1999 the posts of Commissioners - Survey Settlement and Land Records and Land Reforms & Urban Land Ceiling were abolished. The post of Commissioner Land revenue was re-designated as Chief Commissioner of Land Administration (CCLA). Commissioner of Appeals in a Cadre post of IAS and Commissioner of Legal Affairs in the cadre of District & Sessions Judge were created to assist the CCLA.

The various functions dealt with at the district level are as follows. Grant and Renewal of Arms Licenses, Grant and Renewal of Explosive Licenses, Issue of Prosecution Order, Issue of No Objection Certificate, Issue of form .L., Grant of N.O.C for Construction of Cinema Building, Grant of Cinema License, Grant and Renewal of Video License, Sanction of exgratia relief to the victims of extremist violence in case of death or serious injuries, Sanction of exgratia relief to the properties of damage in extremist violence, Sanction of immediate relief to the surrendered extremists, Land alienation, Transfer of Land (Departmental), Land Acquisition, Verification of Caste Certificate, Sanction of Gratuity, Sanction of exgratia of Apathbandhu scheme, Issue of certified copies, Granting levy delivery certificates, Issue and Renewal of license for petroleum products, Issue and Renewal of Food Grain License (pulses).

Activities at the Divisional level include Refund of unused or spoiled Stamps, Civil Suppliers, Endowment and Wakf Board, Issue of certified copy of Record and Pensions.

At the Mandal level, the major activities are issue of Caste, Income & Residence Certificates, issue of Birth and Death Certificates, Grant of House Site Pattas and Posession Certificates, Grant of Eksala Permission, Sub-Division of Land Records, Entry of Cultivator name in Land Records, Issue of DKT Pattas, Adangal/Pahani Extract, Ration Card related works - Issue of New card, Inclusion of address, change in address and Issue of surrender certificate.