The city's civic administration is managed by the Jorhat Municipal Board (JMB), which oversees local infrastructure, sanitation, and urban planning. The broader Jorhat district is headed by a Deputy Commissioner (DC), a state-appointed civil servant responsible for law and order, land revenue, and the execution of state and central government schemes.
Politically, Jorhat is a key constituency. It is represented in the Assam Legislative Assembly and forms the core of the Jorhat Lok Sabha constituency in the national parliament. The local government places a strong emphasis on maintaining public services, managing the seasonal flood response, and preserving the city's historical sites.