Background
Kolhapur district in southern Maharashtra lies between latitudes 15°73' and 17°11' N and longitudes 73°75' and 74°70' E, at an altitude of about 546 metres above sea level, according to the district administration's website. Its proximity to the eastern slopes of the Sahyadri (Western Ghats) is credited with giving it a climate largely free of famine and scarcity. The district covers an area of 7,685 sq km and had a population of 38,75,001 as per the 2011 Census. Kolhapur district is bounded by Sangli district to its east and north, Ratnagiri district to the north-west, Sindhudurg district to the south-west, and Belgaum district of Karnataka to the south.
Area:
7,685 sq km
Population (2011 Census):
38,75,001
Altitude:
546 m
Why it matters for exams: District geography questions on area, boundaries and neighbouring states are a recurring feature of Kerala PSC and UPSC prelims.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
Nashik district's official history page states that the city was known as Panchavati before the Ramayana period and is situated on the banks of the Godavari River, making it one of the holiest places for Hindus. According to the mythology recorded there, Lord Rama made Nashik his abode during his fourteen years of exile, and Lord Lakshman cut off the nose of Shurpanakha at the same place, which is how the city came to be named Nashik. The page also notes that classical Sanskrit poets such as Valmiki, Kalidasa and Bhavabhuti praised the place, and that the Kumbh Mela is held at Nashik once every twelve years, one of only four places in India where it is held.
River on which Nashik is situated:
Godavari
Ancient name:
Panchavati
Kumbh Mela frequency:
Once every 12 years
Why it matters for exams: The mythological and historical background of pilgrimage towns like Nashik, and facts about the Kumbh Mela, are frequently tested in general knowledge sections of Kerala PSC and UPSC exams.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
Solapur district's official history page records that the region was ruled successively by the Andhrabhratyas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Yadavas and Bahamanis. The name 'Solapur' is popularly believed to derive from 'Sola' (sixteen) and 'Pur' (village), from a tradition that the present city grew out of sixteen villages. The page notes that inscriptions from different periods referred to the town variously as 'Sonnalage', 'Sonnalagi', 'Sonalipur' and 'Sandalpur', and that British rulers pronounced it 'Sholapur'. It further records that the present Solapur district was earlier part of the Ahmednagar, Pune and Satara districts, becoming a sub-district of Ahmednagar in 1838.
Name origin (popular belief):
'Sola' (sixteen) + 'Pur' (village)
Became sub-district of Ahmednagar:
1838
Earlier part of districts:
Ahmednagar, Pune, Satara
Why it matters for exams: District etymology and the sequence of historical dynasties that ruled a region are standard recall material in Kerala PSC and UPSC general studies papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
East Khasi Hills district's official website describes it as one of the twelve districts of Meghalaya, occupying an area of 2,748 sq km. Its 'District at a Glance' data records a 2011 Census population of 8,24,059, a literacy rate of 84.70 per cent, 1,024 villages and 11 administrative blocks. Shillong, the state capital, is the district's headquarters. The district's principal languages are Khasi, Jaintia and Garo.
Area:
2,748 sq km
Population (2011 Census):
8,24,059
Literacy rate (2011 Census):
84.70%
Why it matters for exams: Basic district-level statistics such as area, population and literacy from a state whose roundup is due are standard fare in Kerala PSC and UPSC prelims.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
West Garo Hills district's official history page states that the undivided Garo Hills district was split into West Garo Hills and East Garo Hills districts in October 1976. The erstwhile West Garo Hills district was further divided to create the South Garo Hills district in June 1992. Tura, the district headquarters, is described as the second largest town in Meghalaya after Shillong. The page also records that Nokrek Peak, at 1,412 metres the highest point of the Tura Range, lies about 13 km south-east of Tura.
District headquarters:
Tura
Height of Nokrek Peak:
1,412 m
Split from Garo Hills:
October 1976
Why it matters for exams: The administrative reorganisation of the North-Eastern states' districts, and their headquarters and peaks, are regular fixtures in Kerala PSC and UPSC general studies.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
Ri Bhoi district's official history page states that the district was created by upgrading a former Civil Sub-Division, carved out of the erstwhile East Khasi Hills district. Its headquarters is Nongpoh. The district has an area of 2,448 sq km, excluding areas under dispute between Assam and Meghalaya. It is bounded by the Kamrup, Morigoan and Nagoan districts of Assam to the north, Karbi Anglong district of Assam to the east, East Khasi Hills and West Khasi Hills districts to the south, and West Khasi district to the west. The page notes that the Bhois, the main inhabitants, are a sub-group of the Khasi tribe and follow the matrilineal system.
District headquarters:
Nongpoh
Area:
2,448 sq km
Carved out of:
East Khasi Hills
Why it matters for exams: The reorganisation of North-Eastern districts and their tribal composition are recurring topics in Kerala PSC and UPSC general studies.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
Lunglei district occupies more or less the central part of Mizoram and has a total area of 3,552.61 sq.km. It is divided into three rural development blocks: Lunglei with 1,117.06 sq.km, Lungsen with 1,046.29 sq.km and Bunghmun with 1,389.26 sq.km. The district headquarters, Lunglei Town, lies in the south-central part of Mizoram, is the second largest settlement of Mizoram and stands at an altitude of 1222 metres. The district lies between 22 degrees 30 minutes N and 23 degrees 18 minutes N latitude. It is bounded by Siaha on the south-east, Lawngtlai on the south-west, Serchhip on the north-east, Mamit on the north-west and Hnahthial on the east, and shares an international border with Bangladesh on the west. It has two sub-divisions, Lunglei and Tlabung.
Total area:
3,552.61 sq.km
Altitude of Lunglei Town:
1222 metres
Rural development blocks:
3 - Lunglei, Lungsen, Bunghmun
Why it matters for exams: Mizoram's international borders and district geography are standard map-based questions in State and Union examinations.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
Champhai district was established on 12th December, 1997, and the first Deputy Commissioner's office began functioning on 22nd April 1998. The district covers 3,185.83 sq km in the north east corner of Mizoram and its headquarters, Champhai Town, is 194 km from Aizawl. It is bounded by Manipur in the north and by Myanmar in the east and south. According to the 2011 Census its population is 127,660. The district has three sub-divisions, Champhai, Ngopa and Khawzawl, and four blocks, Champhai, Khawzawl, Ngopa and Khawbung. The Champhai valley is described as the rice bowl of Mizoram. Rihdil Lake is only about 50 kms away from the town of Champhai.
Date established:
12th December, 1997
Area:
3,185.83 sq km
Population, 2011 Census:
127,660
Distance from Aizawl:
194 km
Why it matters for exams: India-Myanmar border districts and the Rihdil lake are frequently asked in Northeast geography questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
Serchhip district came into being on 15th September, 1998. Its total geographical area is 1421 sq.km and the district administration describes it as the smallest district in the state, the 8th among the then eight districts of Mizoram. Its headquarters is Serchhip. It is the only district in Mizoram which was elevated directly from rural development block status to full fledged district; the other newly created districts of Mamit, Kolasib, Champhai and Lawngtlai had been functioning as independent administrative sub-divisions. The district has three sub-divisions, namely Serchhip Sadar, North Vanlaiphai and Thenzawl, two rural development blocks, Serchhip and East Lungdar, and 42 villages. It is bounded by Champhai district in the east, Aizawl in the north and north west and Lunglei district in the south. Its north-south extent is 41 km and its east-west extent is 40 km.
Date of establishment:
15th September, 1998
Total geographical area:
1421 sq.km
Villages:
42
Why it matters for exams: Smallest and largest administrative units of a State are a standard one-mark question type.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
Kolasib district was created in the year 1998 by carving out of the then Aizawl District, through Government Notification No. A.60011/21/95-GAD dated 29.07.1998. The district covers an area of 1,382 Sq. Kms. It lies between 92 degrees 30 minutes and 92 degrees 45 minutes east longitude and 24 degrees and 24 degrees 15 minutes north latitude. It is bordered by Hailakandi and Cachar Districts of Assam in the north, Aizawl District in the south and east and Mamit District in the west. The north-south extension of the district is 81.6 km and the east-west extension is 56 km. It has two rural development blocks, N. Thingdawl and Tlangnuam (part), and three sub-divisions with headquarters at Vairengte, Kawnpui and Kolasib.
Year created:
1998
Area:
1,382 Sq. Kms
Notification:
No. A.60011/21/95-GAD dated 29.07.1998
Why it matters for exams: Inter-State boundaries in the Northeast, especially the Assam-Mizoram frontier, are a recurring current-affairs and map topic.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
Mamit district was etched out from the erstwhile Aizawl District under Mizoram Government Notification No. A.600Ill2ll95-GAD dated 11.3.98 and started functioning on 24th April, 1998, with its headquarters at Mamit. Covering 3025.75 km sq, it is the fourth largest district in Mizoram. Its total population is 86,364, of whom 14,899 or 17.25 per cent live in urban areas and 95.0 per cent are Scheduled Tribes. Its sex ratio of 927 is the lowest among the eight districts and its literacy rate of 84.9 per cent is the second lowest in the state. It is bounded by Hailakandi district of Assam in the north, North Tripura district and Bangladesh in the west, Lunglei district in the south and Kolasib and Aizawl districts in the east. The major rivers are Tlawng, Tut, Teirei, Langkaih and Khawthlangtuipui.
Area:
3025.75 km sq
Total population:
86,364
Sex ratio:
927, lowest among eight districts
Literacy rate:
84.9 per cent
Why it matters for exams: Districts touching two international or inter-State neighbours, and district-level sex ratio and literacy extremes, are frequent objective questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
Lawngtlai was declared a district on 18th September, 1998, having previously been under Chhimtuipui District. The district is cut off by Lunglei District and Siaha District into two parts, the eastern part lying on the eastern side of the Chhimtuipui River, the biggest river in the state, and has three sub-divisions, Sangau, Chawngte and Lawngtlai (Sadar). Its literacy rate of 66.41 per cent is the lowest in the state. Phawngpui, at a height of 2,157 m above mean sea level, is the tallest mountain in the State and lies about 165 km from Lawngtlai Town. Phawngpui National Park covers approximately 50 sq. kms and Ngengpui Wildlife Sanctuary spans approximately 110 sq. km. About 60 per cent of residents depend on agriculture and allied sectors, the service sector accounts for 37.90 per cent and the secondary sector for 2.4 per cent.
Height of Phawngpui:
2,157 m above mean sea level
Phawngpui National Park area:
approximately 50 sq. kms
Ngengpui Wildlife Sanctuary area:
approximately 110 sq. km
Literacy rate:
66.41 per cent, lowest in the state
Why it matters for exams: Highest peaks of Indian States and the national parks of Mizoram are standard geography and environment questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
Aizawl is the largest city as well as the capital of the state of Mizoram in India. It is situated on a ridge 1132 metres, or 3715 ft, above sea level. The city lies north of the Tropic of Cancer in the northern part of Mizoram, with the Tlawng river valley to its west and the Tuirial river valley to its east. Summer temperatures range from 20 to 30 degrees Celsius and winter temperatures from 11 to 21 degrees Celsius.
Altitude:
1132 metres (3715 ft) above sea level
Summer temperature:
20-30 degrees Celsius
Winter temperature:
11-21 degrees Celsius
Why it matters for exams: State capitals, their altitudes and the Indian States crossed by the Tropic of Cancer are standard objective questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC