Ambikapur is governed by the Ambikapur Municipal Corporation (Nagar Nigam Ambikapur), which is responsible for civic infrastructure, public health, sanitation, and local urban development. The corporation is headed by a Mayor, elected by the citizens, and comprises corporators representing various wards across the city.
As the headquarters of the Surguja district and the larger Surguja Division, Ambikapur hosts key administrative offices, including the District Collectorate, the Superintendent of Police, and the Divisional Commissioner's office.
Politically, the city falls under the Ambikapur Assembly constituency for the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) and is part of the Surguja Lok Sabha constituency for the national parliament.