KPSC KAS key terms

A socio-religious reform movement in Karnataka led by Basavalingappa and others in the early 20th century, aimed at eradicating caste discrimination and promoting rationalism and social justice.

12th-century philosopher, statesman, and social reformer who championed the Lingayat movement, emphasizing devotion to Shiva, equality, and rejection of caste and ritual.

A form of Kannada devotional poetry composed by Lingayat saints like Basava and Akka Mahadevi, expressing personal mystical experience and social critique in simple, direct language.

12th-century Kannada poet and Lingayat mystic, known for her intense devotion to Shiva and her vachanas that challenge patriarchal norms and advocate spiritual equality.

A religious community in Karnataka that worships Shiva as a personal god and rejects caste hierarchy and Vedic ritual, originating from the 12th-century Sharana movement.

Queen of Kittur in Karnataka who led an armed rebellion against the British East India Company in 1824, becoming an early symbol of anti-colonial resistance.

An 1824 uprising in Kittur, Karnataka, led by Rani Chennamma against British annexation, marking one of the first armed resistances to Company rule in India.

A prominent administrator and Dewan of Mysore under Tipu Sultan and later the Wodeyar dynasty, known for his efficient governance and reforms in the early 19th century.

A princely state in southern India ruled by the Wodeyar dynasty, known for its contributions to art, culture, and administration, and for resistance against British expansion.

18th-century ruler of Mysore who fought the British in the Anglo-Mysore Wars, introduced administrative and military innovations, and is remembered for his resistance and modernization efforts.

A series of four wars fought between the Kingdom of Mysore and the British East India Company in the late 18th century, resulting in British victory and the death of Tipu Sultan.

The movement and political process that led to the merging of Kannada-speaking regions from various princely states and provinces into a single state of Karnataka in 1956.

The Kannada term for the unification movement of Karnataka, which aimed to bring together Kannada-speaking areas under one administrative unit, achieved in 1956.

Basic human rights guaranteed by the Indian Constitution (Part III), enforceable in courts, including equality, freedom, and protection against exploitation.

Guidelines in Part IV of the Indian Constitution that direct the state to promote social and economic welfare, though not enforceable in courts.

A formal written order issued by a court, such as habeas corpus or mandamus, used to enforce fundamental rights or compel official action.

A system of local self-government in rural India, established by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment, with elected bodies at village, block, and district levels.

A 1992 constitutional amendment that gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj institutions, mandating regular elections and reservation for marginalized groups.

The assembly of all registered voters in a village panchayat area, serving as the foundation of participatory democracy in rural India.

A comprehensive indirect tax levied on the supply of goods and services in India, introduced in 2017 to replace multiple taxes and create a unified market.

The gap between the government's total expenditure and its total receipts excluding borrowings, indicating the extent of borrowing needed to fund spending.

A constitutional body under Article 279A that makes recommendations on GST rates, exemptions, and administration, comprising Union and State finance ministers.

The state economy of Karnataka, characterized by a strong IT and biotechnology sector, agriculture, and mineral resources, with Bengaluru as a major growth hub.

The capital of Karnataka, known as India's Silicon Valley for its concentration of information technology, biotechnology, and startup industries.

The information technology sector, a major driver of Karnataka's economy, centered in Bengaluru, contributing significantly to exports and employment.

A mountain range along the western coast of India, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and biodiversity hotspot, spanning Karnataka and other states.

A region with exceptionally high species richness and endemism that is under significant threat, such as the Western Ghats and Eastern Himalayas in India.

A seasonal wind pattern that brings heavy rainfall to India, crucial for agriculture, with the southwest monsoon (June-September) being the primary rainy season.

The Indian Space Research Organisation, India's national space agency, known for satellite launch vehicles and missions like Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan.

India's lunar exploration mission, with Chandrayaan-3 successfully landing near the Moon's south pole in 2023, marking a major achievement for ISRO.

India's Mars Orbiter Mission, launched in 2013, making India the first country to reach Mars orbit on its maiden attempt, a feat of ISRO.

The study of moral principles that guide human conduct, involving concepts of right and wrong, duty, and virtue, essential for public administration.

The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles, often emphasized in civil services as adherence to ethical standards and avoidance of corruption.

A natural or acquired ability to perform a certain task, including mental alertness, problem-solving, and ethical decision-making, tested in civil services exams.

A form of logical reasoning where a conclusion is drawn from two given or assumed propositions (premises), common in analytical ability tests.

The process of using rational, systematic thinking to draw valid conclusions from given information, a key component of CSAT and analytical ability tests.

The ability to read text, process it, and understand its meaning, tested in language exams through passages followed by questions.

The exchange of information through speaking, writing, or other media, emphasizing clarity, coherence, and appropriateness in English language exams.

The body of written works in the Kannada language, including ancient classics like Kavirajamarga and modern works, reflecting Karnataka's cultural heritage.

A 10th-century Kannada poet, considered one of the three gems of Kannada literature, known for his epic Vikramarjuna Vijaya (Pampa Bharata).