States PCS: Karnataka GK for KPSC and other Karnataka State Exams

Notes:
Droogs are steep rock formations found in Mysore and Tamil Nadu. They are prominent monoliths sometimes reaching 1,500 ft (460 m) in height and often have springs on top. Because they are scalable only by steps cut into them, droogs were used as fortification sites. In the 19th century, Colonel William Lambton used droogs for surveying with the theodolite, laying foundations for the Indian railway system.

Notes:
The Thippagondanahalli Reservoir which is also known as T G Halli Dam or Chamarajsagar, is located just at the confluence of the Kumudavathi and Arkavathy rivers in the state of Karnataka. The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) use it as a major source of drinking water for western Bangalore. The lake is a man-made reservoir, created by the building of a dam which was inaugurated in 1933. Diwan of Mysore, Sir M. Visvesvaraya supervised the construction work.

Notes:
Magod Falls is a group of waterfalls, located in the Uttara Kannada district of the state of Karnataka, where the Bedti River falls from a height of about 200 metres (660 ft) in two steps. This falls is 17 km from the Yellapur town.

Notes:
Karnataka was the first Indian state to pilot Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Karnataka’s health reforms use a life course approach addressing health from before birth to old age. The Ayushman Bharat-Arogya Karnataka (AB-Ark) scheme extends UHC to all residents. The Arogya Sanjeevini cashless insurance scheme covers all state employees, including contract workers. These reforms reflect Karnataka’s ongoing commitment to health system improvements.

Notes:
Located in the district of Tumakuru in the state of Karnataka, Devarayanadurga is a temple town and hill station. Devarayanadurga, means “Fort of the God“, and was named after Chikka Devaraja Wodeyar, the ruler of Mysore, captured it. The hills are surrounded by forest and the hilltops are dotted with several temples including the Yoganarasimha and the Bhoganarasimha temples.

Notes:
Mathrupoorna provides hot cooked meals specifically for pregnant and lactating mothers; Panchavrutthi offers financial aid to traditional artisans such as the Vishwakarma community; Prabuddha scholarships support SC/ST students for higher studies abroad; Ashraya scheme facilitates housing for houseless rural and urban poor populations in Karnataka.

Notes:
The Elevate Programme is Karnataka’s flagship startup initiative supporting entrepreneurship through funding, mentorship, and incubation. It targets technology-driven enterprises across sectors. Bengaluru, Karnataka’s capital, is a major startup hub. Other schemes like Suvarna Karnataka focus on state celebrations, Nemmadi on pensions, and Ashraya on housing assistance, distinguishing Elevate as the startup promotion program.

Notes:
U. R. Ananthamurthy won the Jnanpith Award in 1994. His novel “Samskara” critiques caste practices among Brahmins. The novel is a key work of the Navya literary movement in Kannada. It was adapted into a film, showing the link between Kannada literature and cinema. The novel addresses themes like identity, morality, and social change.

Notes:
Karnataka’s Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) was 14 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2023, as per the Economic Survey 2025-26 citing Sample Registration System (SRS) data. This shows a decline from 31 in 2013. The reduction reflects improved maternal and neonatal care services in the state.

Notes:
Karnataka ranked third in fish production in 2025 with 1.000 million tonnes and 5.13% of India’s total. Andhra Pradesh was first with 5.000 million tonnes and West Bengal second with 2.000 million tonnes. Karnataka’s fishery production includes 66% marine fishing, producing species like pomfret and bangude, and 34% inland carp aquaculture.