After the independence, Karaikal was also joined with Yanam, Mahe, and Pondicherry forming the Puducherry Union territory. Karaikal and other surrounding parts like Tirumalairayanpattinam, Thirunallar, Nedungadu, Kottucherry, Neravy, Varichikudy etc. form the Karaikal district. This district divides the Nagapattinam district into two. This makes Nagapattinam district as the only district to be divided into two in India.