Khunti (खूंटी) is the headquarters of Khunti district in the Indian state of Jharkhand. It is one of the twenty-four districts in South Chotanagpur division of the Indian state of Jharkhand. The district of Khunti was carved out of Ranchi district on 12 September 2007. It is historically known as the centre of activity of the Birsa movement. Khunti town is the headquarters of the district. As of 2011, it is the second least populous district of Jharkhand (out of 24), after Lohardaga.