Doda acquired the status of a district when it was carved out of the erstwhile district of Udhampur in the year 1948. Lying in the middle and outer Himalayan ranges of Jammu Region of J&K State, the district has mostly a hilly terrain.  In view of its vastness and due to the inconvenience faced by people living in its far-flung areas and for making the whole area administratively manageable, the State Government, in July, 2006, trifurcated the district into the districts namely Doda, Ramban & Kishtwar. The district is surrounded by district Anantnag of Kashmir Division on its North, district Kishtwar in the North-East, Chamba area of Himachal Pardesh in the South, district, Kathua in the south, district Udhampur in the South-West and district Ramban in the West.  The total geographical area of district Doda is approximately 4500 Sq. Kms.

The District is endowed with vast wealth of natural beauty and is extensively rich in forests. The region is surrounded by snow clad lofty mountains from all sides and mighty river Chenab flows through it.  The entire district is hilly and mountainous with a few plain and low lying areas.  Due to its varying physical features, the district does not have a uniform climate.  The climate is temperate in places like Bhaderwah & Gandoh and Sub-tropical in areas like Doda & Thathri. The Chenab, river flowing through the District, is commercially very vital for transportation of timber from forest and power generation.  According to an estimate, the river has hydel potential of about 15,000 MWs.