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:
Dandavati River flows through Sorab, Shiavmogga district of Karnataka. This river originates from a reservoir which is located in Kattinakere. This river flows via Kuppe and at a place called Bankasana it joins the Varada River. Varada River, in turn, joins Tungabhadra River and later the Krishna River which finally joins with the Bay of Bengal in the Eastern coast of India. Sri Ranganatha Temple of Sorab is built on the banks of river Dandavati.

Notes:
Karnataka allocated 5.8% of its 2025-26 state budget expenditure to irrigation, which is above the national average of 3.4%. The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) increased the national gross irrigated area share to 55.8%, but this figure is not Karnataka-specific budget expenditure. The percentage reflects Karnataka’s financial prioritization of irrigation projects in that fiscal year.

Notes:
Karnataka ranks 5th in pulses production in 2025 with 1.80 million metric tonnes, contributing 7.56% to India’s total. It follows Madhya Pradesh (1st), Rajasthan (2nd), Maharashtra (3rd), and Uttar Pradesh (4th). Karnataka’s pulses output is higher than Andhra Pradesh, which ranks 6th with 1.20 million metric tonnes.

Notes:
In 2024-25, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra are the top four oilseed-producing states in India. Karnataka produced 755.5 thousand metric tons but is not among the top four. Maharashtra contributes about 14% to total oilseed production. India’s total oilseed production for 2025-26 is projected to reach 43 million metric tons.

Notes:
Gujarat is the top groundnut producer with 66.10 lakh tonnes in 2025–26. Rajasthan ranks second with 22.19 lakh tonnes. Tamil Nadu produces 3.81 lakh tonnes. Karnataka is not among the top five producers due to less cultivation and production capacity.

Notes:
Karnataka ranks third in sugar production in 2025-26 with a total of 4.84 million tonnes nationally. Hassan district is one of the notable sugar production areas in Karnataka, contributing significantly to the state’s sugar output. Karnataka’s sugar industry plays a critical role in the economy, producing around 6.35 million tonnes according to ISMA projections. Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh lead the sugar production, with Maharashtra producing over 10 million tonnes. Sugarcane cultivation in Karnataka is mainly concentrated in districts like Hassan, Mandya, and Belagavi, with Hassan recognized for its consistent sugar output during the 2025-26 season.

Notes:
Suryodaya Prakashika started in 1888 in Bengaluru by B. Narasinga Rao is the first Kannada daily newspaper. Mangaluru Samachara, published in 1843, was a fortnightly publication, not a daily. Samyukta Karnataka began in 1933, and Prajavani started in 1948 after India’s independence.

Notes:
Abdur Razzak visited the Vijayanagara Empire in 1443 CE during Devaraya II’s reign. He was sent by Shah Rukh, the Timurid ruler of Persia. Razzak described Hampi’s seven fortifications, markets, and the king’s lifestyle, providing significant foreign accounts of the empire’s zenith under Devaraya II.

Notes:
The Aghanashini Estuary is located in Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka. It was designated as a Ramsar Site for its diverse mangrove cover and traditional salt farming. The estuary forms at the confluence of the Aghanashini River and the Arabian Sea. It supports various mangrove species and local livelihoods through fishing and bivalve collection. The Ramsar designation recognizes wetlands of international importance.