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

Notes:
Karnataka is the 4th largest automobile producing state in India. It contributes around 8.5% of national automobile production. The state hosts several major vehicle manufacturers including Toyota Kirloskar Motors Ltd., Volvo India Pvt. Ltd., and Tata Motors. Karnataka employs over 55,000 workers in its automotive industry. It also has more than 50 auto component manufacturers supporting the sector.

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Ponna was titled “Ubhaya Kavichakravarti,” meaning emperor of poets in two languages. He mastered both Kannada and Sanskrit and was one of the three early great poets of Kannada literature alongside Pampa and Ranna. His works include Shantipurana and Ajitapurana. His writings are based on Jain religious themes and are notable for the Champu style. The title denotes his excellence in dual languages and recognition by royal courts during that era.

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Akka Mahadevi was a 12th-century Veerashaiva saint whose vachanas express devotion to Lord Shiva, specifically known as Chenna Mallikarjuna. She belonged to the Vachana movement in Karnataka. Her verses emphasize spiritual devotion and renunciation of worldly life. Chenna Mallikarjuna is a form of Shiva worshipped in the Veerashaiva tradition. Akka Mahadevi rejected social norms and material attachments, focusing on union with Shiva through her poetry.

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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.

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Karnataka’s industrial sector grew by 6.7% in 2025-26 at constant prices. This growth rate was higher than the previous year’s 4.1%. Manufacturing, a major part of the industrial sector, expanded by 7.2% during the same period. The Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of Karnataka rose by 8.1% at constant prices to Rs 17.23 lakh crore in 2025-26. The industrial sector’s share in the state’s GSDP was 19.36%, slightly lower than 19.82% in the prior year. The economic survey of Karnataka for 2025-26 reports these figures in the context of a services-dominated economy.

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Karnataka’s IT Policy 2025–30 states the state contributes 43.4% of India’s IT exports. The policy targets ₹11.5 lakh crore IT exports by 2030. India’s services exports reached USD 354.13 billion during April-January 2025–26. Karnataka’s share extrapolates to approximately USD 153.8 billion for this period, although official state export figures are not confirmed.

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Karnataka’s 2026-27 Budget allocates 24.1% for SC/ST welfare as per SCSP and TSP Acts. The percentage is based on the 2011 Census population shares. The total SCSP/TSP outlay is estimated around Rs 1.21 lakh crore. Prior allocations were Rs 34,000 crore (2023-24), Rs 39,000 crore (2024-25), and Rs 42,000 crore (2025-26). Funds support guarantee schemes like Gruha Lakshmi. The allocation adheres to the Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan and Tribal Sub-Plan guidelines set by the state government.

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Ashwini Bhat is an internationally acclaimed ceramic artist from Karnataka. She is known for large-scale ceramic installations and combines traditional pottery techniques with contemporary art. Her work has been exhibited globally in prestigious galleries and museums.

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Basavaraj Rajguru was a celebrated Hindustani vocalist from Karnataka who trained under Panchakshari Gawai. Panchakshari Gawai was a noted guru and musician known for teaching classical music. Rajguru integrated styles from various gharanas, including Gwalior, Kirana, and Jaipur. He contributed significantly to popularizing Hindustani classical music in Karnataka and was a respected performer and teacher.

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K.S. Nagarathnamma was the first woman Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, serving from 1972 to 1978. She represented the Gundlupet constituency seven times. She was also the first female Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly from 1987 to 1989 and later became Minister for Health and Family Welfare. The Karnataka Legislative Assembly was earlier known as the Mysore Legislative Assembly. She was respected for her knowledge of the Constitution and legislative procedures during her tenure.