[9] The city is home to the circuit bench of the Kolkata High Court, the other seat being at Port Blair in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

The name "Jalpaiguri" comes from the word "Jalpai" meaning Ceylon olive, which grew in the city and adjacent areas.

The city lies very close to the Himalayas and on the left bank of Teesta river.

[18] As Jalpaiguri is located on the base of the Himalayas, the city receives a high amount of rainfall throughout the year.

[19] The heaviest one-day rainfall occurred on 10 July 1999 when 474 mm rain fell on the city.

Civic administration is the responsibility of the Jalpaiguri Municipality which is the sixth oldest in West Bengal after that of Kolkata, Howrah, Berhampore, Burdwan and Siuri.

[24] The municipality is responsible for providing basic services, such as potable water and sanitation.

The Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Central Bus Terminus situated next to the North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC) Bus Terminal is a major stop for most private and state-owned buses in the region.

Air-conditioned sleeper coach bus service is also available from Jalpaiguri to Kolkata (Banglashree Express).

[26] There are several bus stands[27] in Jalpaiguri:- The nearest airport is Bagdogra Airport, Siliguri, which lies 45 km north-west from Jalpaiguri city centre, with regular flights to major cities like Kolkata, New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Guwahati and has international connectivity with Paro and Bangkok.

Jalpaiguri's schools are run by the state government or private organisations, many of which are religious.