Background
The Amritsar district administration records that Amritsar was founded by Sri Guru Ramdass, the fourth Guru of the Sikhs, in about 1574 AD.
The city was originally called Ramdaspur.
The Guru brought 52 traders to settle the new town, and their families started the first 32 shops in a street still called Batisi Hatta.
Guru Ramdass began the digging of the Amrit Sarovar, the pool that gives the city its name, and his successor completed it.
Sri Guru Arjan Dev built the Harmandir Sahib in the centre of the Amrit Sarovar.
A copy of the Guru Granth Sahib was ceremonially installed there and Baba Buddha Sahib became its first Granthi.
Founded:
about 1574 A.D.
Founder:
Sri Guru Ramdass, the fourth Guru of the Sikhs
Original name:
Ramdaspur
First shops:
32, in Batisi Hatta
Why it matters for exams: The founding sequence of Amritsar and the Harmandir Sahib is a standard art and culture question.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
Background
The Fazilka district administration traces the town's origin to AD 1844.
It was founded by Mr Oliver and named after Mian Fazil Watoo, an early landowner of the area.
The town lies 11 km off the international border with Pakistan, about 325 km west of Chandigarh and 200 km south of Amritsar.
The Sutlej is the key river near the town.
Before 1947 Fazilka was the biggest wool market in undivided Punjab, and it remains a rice and cotton centre.
The district record notes a destructive flood in 1908 and the impact of the Indo-Pakistan wars of 1965 and 1971.
Origin:
AD 1844
Named after:
Mian Fazil Watoo
Distance from border:
11 km
Distance from Chandigarh:
325 km
Why it matters for exams: Border-district economics and founding dates recur in State geography and history questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
Background
The Tarn Taran district administration records the founding of the town in 1596 by Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the fifth Sikh Guru, with the establishment of the Shri Tarn Taran Sahib temple.
The district covers 2,449 sq. km.
It is bounded by Amritsar district in the north, Kapurthala district in the east, Pakistan in the west and Firozpur district in the south.
It has three tehsils, Tarn Taran, Patti and Khadur Sahib, along with five sub-tehsils and eight development blocks.
The 2001 Census put the district population at 939,057, of which 88.02 per cent was rural.
Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji and Gurdwara Guru Ka Khuh are among its documented historic shrines.
Founded:
1596
Founder:
Guru Arjan Dev Ji
Area:
2,449 sq. km
Rural population:
88.02%
Why it matters for exams: A border district with a Guru-period founding date links Punjab geography and Sikh history in one item.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
Background
The Rupnagar district administration records that the district was carved out on 1 November 1966 at the reorganisation of the State.
Rupnagar town was formerly known as Ropar, and the name is traced to a Raja called Rokeshar who is said to have named it after his son Rup Sen in the 11th century.
The district page records that the first civilized folk to settle here were the Harappans, who reached the upper Satluj towards the close of the third millennium BC.
The Satluj passes 2 to 5 km from the towns of Nangal, Rupnagar and Anandpur Sahib.
Anandpur Sahib is one of the district's administrative divisions.
In 2006 the Kharar and Majri blocks of Rupnagar were transferred to the new district of S.A.S. Nagar (Mohali).
District formed:
1 November 1966
Former name:
Ropar
River:
Satluj
Blocks transferred in 2006:
Kharar and Majri
Why it matters for exams: Ties the 1 November 1966 reorganisation, the Sutlej and Anandpur Sahib to one verifiable district record.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
29 September 2026
A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court, Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and K V Jayakumar, disposed of a petition by a devotee, S J R Kumar, against the Travancore Devaswom Board.
The petition concerned jaggery for Sabarimala prasadam supplied by Vardhan Agro Processing Limited, some packets of which carried halal markings.
The court said the Board ought to have taken greater care to ensure that the jaggery supplied did not bear symbols, markings or declarations that could conflict with the temple's practices.
The Board was directed to exercise due care and caution in future and to include appropriate conditions in its e-tender documents.
The petition was disposed of on the Board's undertaking, with laboratory tests having found the jaggery satisfactory.
Bench:
Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and K V Jayakumar
Supplier:
Vardhan Agro Processing Limited
Direction:
Conditions in e-tender documents
Why it matters for exams: Questions on temple administration bodies such as the Travancore Devaswom Board and on court directions about public procurement are common in Kerala PSC papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Prasadam Offering distributed to devotees — Food offered at a temple and shared with devotees.
e-tender Electronic tender — Procurement in which bids are invited and submitted online.
29 September 2026
The Culture Minister chaired a meeting of film organisations at the Government Guest House, Thycaud, on industry status for cinema, the Culture Department said on 29 September 2026.
Industry status will protect the art and cultural value of cinema while giving weight to its marketing prospects.
The draft proposals will be amended after the views of film bodies and then placed before the Cabinet.
The government announced industry status for cinema in its Budget.
Suggestions included bank loans for producers, e-ticketing, a single-window system for shooting permits and effective implementation of the POSH Act at film workplaces.
Meeting venue:
Government Guest House, Thycaud
Department:
Culture
Next step:
Amended draft to Cabinet
Why it matters for exams: Industry status for cinema is a Budget announcement now moving to Cabinet, and links to the POSH Act and cultural policy.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Industry status Industry status for cinema — Official recognition as an industry, which can open access to bank finance and incentives.
POSH Act Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act — A law requiring workplaces to have complaint committees against sexual harassment.
29 September 2026
A Division Bench of Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and K.V. Jayakumar, hearing a suo motu case, appointed former judge Justice V.G. Arun as observer for the 2026-27 melsanthi selection at the Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple and the Malikappuram Temple. The Travancore Devaswom Board received 78 applications, 48 for Sabarimala and 30 for Malikappuram. Five Sabarimala and three Malikappuram applicants have been shortlisted for interview on 5 October at the Board headquarters. Marks must be entered in ball point pen and countersigned by the observer, and the proceedings must be video recorded. The Board must submit the mark lists, shortlist and proceedings recording in a sealed cover by 15 October, and the draw of lots may proceed only after the court reviews them.
Applications received:
78 (48 Sabarimala, 30 Malikappuram)
Interview:
5 October 2026
Sealed-cover deadline:
15 October 2026
Why it matters for exams: A recurring Kerala PSC topic: High Court supervision of the Travancore Devaswom Board's melsanthi selection.
Kerala PSC
In plain words
Melsanthi Chief priest — The head priest of a temple, chosen for a one-year term at Sabarimala by a draw of lots.
Suo motu On its own motion — A case a court starts by itself without a petition from a party.
TDB Travancore Devaswom Board — The statutory body that administers Sabarimala and many other temples in southern Kerala.
29 September 2026
The 2nd India-Italy Joint Working Group (JWG) on Tourism was held on 29 September 2026.
It was co-chaired by Shri Bhuvnesh Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, and Ms. Emanuela Tripi, Secretary-General, Ministry of Tourism, Italy.
Topics included exchange of tourism data, cine-tourism, destination twinning, skilling and Business-to-Business engagement.
Both sides agreed to set up focused technical groups and designate points of contact.
The proposed India-Italy Year of Culture and Tourism 2027 was also discussed.
Meeting:
2nd India-Italy JWG on Tourism, 29 Sep 2026
Indian co-chair:
Bhuvnesh Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism
Italian co-chair:
Emanuela Tripi, Secretary-General
Proposed year:
India-Italy Year of Culture and Tourism 2027
Why it matters for exams: Bilateral mechanisms and proposed 'Year of' events are favourite current-affairs fodder.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
Background
There are 44 World Heritage Properties in India, and four of them are in Rajasthan. Hill Forts of Rajasthan, inscribed in 2013, covers Chittaurgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Jaisalmer and Ranthambhore, Amber and Gagron Forts. Amber and Gagron Forts are under protection of Rajasthan State Archaeology and Museums; the rest of the property is under the Archaeological Survey of India. The Jantar Mantar, Jaipur was inscribed in 2010 and is also under protection of Rajasthan State Archaeology and Museums. Jaipur City, Rajasthan was inscribed in 2019 and is under protection of Jaipur Municipal Corporation. Keoladeo National Park, inscribed in 1985, is one of the Natural World Heritage Properties in India. The Archaeological Survey of India undertakes conservation and maintenance of 3,686 monuments, including 27 World Heritage properties.
Hill Forts of Rajasthan:
2013
The Jantar Mantar, Jaipur:
2010
Jaipur City, Rajasthan:
2019
Keoladeo National Park:
1985
World Heritage Properties in India:
44
Why it matters for exams: Which state holds which World Heritage property, and which body maintains it, is asked directly; Rajasthan's four properties include both a serial property of forts and a natural property, and they are looked after by four different custodians.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
Background
The craft of the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru constitutes the traditional technique of manufacturing brass and copper utensils in Punjab. UNESCO inscribed it in 2014 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The metals used are copper, brass and certain alloys. The process begins with cooled cakes of metal that are flattened into thin plates and then hammered into curved shapes, producing small bowls, rimmed plates, larger pots for water and milk and huge cooking vessels. Careful temperature control is achieved by using tiny wood-fired stoves, aided by hand-held bellows, buried in the earth. Utensils are manually finished by polishing with traditional materials such as sand and tamarind juice, and designs are made by hammering a series of tiny dents into the heated metal. The process of manufacturing is transmitted orally from father to son, and the element is listed under the domain of Traditional craftsmanship.
Year of inscription:
2014
Decision:
9.COM 10.19
Domain:
Traditional craftsmanship
Inscribed as:
Traditional brass and copper craft of utensil making among the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru, Punjab, India
Metals used:
copper, brass and certain alloys
Why it matters for exams: India's entries on the UNESCO Representative List are asked by name, and this is the one that belongs to Punjab rather than to a performing art.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
Koder House is a three-storey red-brick mansion on Tower Road in Fort Kochi, a privately owned heritage property; the fire that tore through its upper floors has renewed attention on how privately owned heritage structures in Fort Kochi can be protected. Ephraim Isaac Koder, who came to Cochin from Baghdad in the 19th century, became part of the city's prominent Paradesi Jewish community, and his descendant Samuel S Koder, popularly known as Satu Koder, extensively remodelled the house in the early 20th century, giving it an Indo-European character with elaborate woodwork and Belgian glass. Samuel Koder registered the Cochin Electric Company in 1926; the company later obtained permission to generate thermal power and supplied electricity to parts of Fort Kochi and Mattancherry, with power-generation facilities and utility offices in Mattancherry and Thoppumpady. By 1970 it had more than 130 employees, before the state power board KSEB took over its operations. Samuel Koder served for several years as president of the Paradesi Synagogue, and Prime Minister Indira Gandhi visited Kochi in 1968 for the 400th anniversary celebrations of the Paradesi Synagogue. The Portuguese established their settlement in Kochi in the early 16th century, the Dutch took control of the territory in 1663, and the British in 1795.
Location:
Tower Road, Fort Kochi
Company registered by Samuel Koder:
Cochin Electric Company, 1926
Employees by 1970:
more than 130
Dutch took control of the territory:
1663
Why it matters for exams: Fort Kochi's colonial sequence and the Paradesi Jewish community of Kochi are standard Kerala history questions, and the Koder family links both to the early spread of electricity in West Kochi.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
Under Section 9 of the Cinematograph Act, 1952 the Central Government is empowered to grant exemption from the certification requirements. Festival organisers apply for that exemption in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. A film that does not get the exemption can still be screened if it carries CBFC certification. The body now using this route, the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, submitted applications seeking exemption in respect of 347 documentary and short films selected for the 18th International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Keralam (IDSFFK), a non-commercial festival intended for registered delegates including filmmakers, film society organizers, film technicians, critics, media persons and students. The Academy withdrew one film, leaving 346 for consideration; of those, 315 were permitted to be screened and another 24 received CBFC certification. Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas of the Kerala High Court declined interim relief on the remaining seven documentaries, six of which had been referred to the Ministry of Home Affairs and one to the Ministry of External Affairs for inputs on their content.
Exemption provision:
Section 9 of the Cinematograph Act, 1952
Guidelines issued by:
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Films for which exemption was sought:
347
Films permitted to be screened:
315
Why it matters for exams: Aspirants are asked who certifies a film and who can exempt one, and the two are different authorities: the CBFC certifies, while the exemption for a festival comes from the Central Government under the Cinematograph Act.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
During classical antiquity and the Middle Ages, Kozhikode was dubbed the 'City of Spices' for its role as the major trading point of Eastern spices.
It was the capital of an independent kingdom ruled by the Samoothiris (Zamorins) in the Middle Ages.
It later became the capital of the erstwhile Malabar district under British rule.
Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama dropped anchor at Kozhikode on 20 May 1498, opening a trade route between Europe and Malabar.
The English landed in 1615, followed by the French (1698) and the Dutch (1752).
The word calico, a fine hand-woven cotton cloth exported from the port, is thought to have been derived from Calicut.
Nickname:
City of Spices
Medieval rulers:
Samoothiris (Zamorins)
Vasco da Gama anchored:
20 May 1498
Capital under British rule:
Malabar district
Why it matters for exams: Kozhikode's medieval trade and the arrival of Europeans are core Kerala history topics.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
Payyannur was the main venue of the Salt Satyagraha, a major turning point in the Indian Freedom Movement, in Malabar.
On 13 April 1930, a batch of Congress volunteers under the leadership of K. Kelappan started on foot from Kozhikode to the beaches of Payyannur.
They broke the salt laws there on April 21.
The Satyagraha camp at Payyannur was raided and the campers were beaten up.
The Uliyath Kadav Payyanur incident became a turning point in the history of the freedom struggle in Kerala.
Kannur District also saw the revolt led by Pazhassi Raja in the 1792-1806 period, one of the longest and bloodiest resistances to British rule in India.
Main Malabar venue:
Payyannur
Leader of the march:
K. Kelappan
Route:
Kozhikode to Payyannur
Revolt in Kannur District:
Led by Pazhassi Raja
Why it matters for exams: Malabar's role in the freedom movement is a recurring Kerala PSC history topic.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
Kerala Kalamandalam was founded in 1930 by the poet Padmabhooshan Vallathol Narayana Menon and his associate Manakkulam Mukundaraja, under the patronage of Kakkad Karanavappad.
At the beginning it was exclusively a training centre for Kathakali.
Its first venue was Madappattil, at Kunnamkulam near Thrissur.
In 1936 it moved to its own plot on the banks of the river Bharathapuzha in Cheruthuruthy village of Thrissur District.
It is a residential institution following the Gurukula Sampradaya, teaching Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Thullal, Kutiyattam, Panchavadyam and Carnatic Music among other disciplines.
In 1975 it began functioning as a grant-in-aid institution, and in 1990 formal schooling from the 8th grade was introduced.
Founders:
Vallathol Narayana Menon and Manakkulam Mukundaraja
Present campus:
Cheruthuruthy, Thrissur District
River:
Bharathapuzha
Original discipline:
Kathakali
Why it matters for exams: Founders and locations of Kerala's cultural institutions are regular Kerala PSC questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
State animal: Indian elephant (Elephas maximus indicus).
State bird: Great hornbill (Buceros bicornis).
State fish: Green chromide (Etroplus suratensis).
State flower: Kanikonna (Cassia fistula).
State tree: Coconut tree (Cocos nucifera); state fruit: Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus).
State butterfly: Malabar banded peacock (Papilio buddha); state dance form: Kathakali.
The name "Keralam" reflects the abundance of coconuts, with 'Kera' meaning coconut and 'alam' signifying land.
State bird:
Great hornbill
State fish:
Green chromide
State flower:
Kanikonna
State butterfly:
Malabar banded peacock
State dance form:
Kathakali
Why it matters for exams: State symbols are a reliable one-mark topic in Kerala PSC general knowledge papers.
Kerala PSC
Background
Dhauli and Jaugada, both in Odisha and protected by the Archaeological Survey of India, are listed as Major Rock Edict sites in India's serial nomination of Ashokan edict sites on the UNESCO Tentative List, submitted on 11 February 2025. Jaugada, in Ganjam district near Berhampur, was a Mauryan fortified capital of the Kalinga province; its inscription is in the Prakrit language and Brahmi script.
Odisha edict sites:
Dhauli, Jaugada
Nomination submitted:
11 February 2025
Script:
Brahmi (Prakrit)
Why it matters for exams: Ashoka, the Kalinga war and edict sites are standard ancient-history questions in every state PSC and UPSC.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
Background
The Konark Sun Temple on India's eastern coast is a monumental representation of the sun god Surya's chariot, with 24 wheels adorned with symbolic designs. UNESCO inscribed it as a World Heritage Site in 1984 under criteria (i), (iii) and (vi). It is a 13th-century monument, built during the reign of Narasimha Deva I (AD 1238-1264), and is an outstanding testimony to the Orissa kingdom of that time.
UNESCO inscription:
1984
Wheels:
24
Builder king:
Narasimha Deva I
Why it matters for exams: Konark and UNESCO listings are perennial heritage questions in Kerala PSC and UPSC papers.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
Background
According to the Indian Embassy in The Hague, the Netherlands has the second largest population of people of Indian origin in Europe, next only to the UK, with about 240,000 members of the Indian Diaspora. This includes the Hindustani-Surinami community, whose forebears left India nearly 150 years ago and which is wholly integrated into Dutch society while keeping deep cultural links with India. The community has sent two Members of Parliament, Daulatram Ramlal and Tanja Jadnansing, to the Dutch Parliament. Statues of Gandhiji stand in Amsterdam, The Hague, Utrecht and Zoetermeer, and Gandhi Jayanthi is a major event. The Netherlands India Association (NIA) and the Netherlands India Chamber of Commerce and Trade (NICCT) are among the organisations linking the two countries.
Indian Diaspora in the Netherlands:
about 240,000
Europe rank by Indian-origin population:
2nd, after the UK
Gandhi statues in:
Amsterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, Zoetermeer
Why it matters for exams: Diaspora facts, Pravasi Bharatiya Divas and Gandhian legacy abroad feature in general awareness and international relations papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
Longleng became a full Revenue District on 24 January 2004, as the tenth district of Nagaland, created by dividing Tuensang District.
It began as a town in 1951 under Shri Ranjan, Assistant Political Officer.
The headquarters at Longleng Town lies about 1,100m above sea level, and major towns include Longleng and Tamlu.
It is bordered by Mon District on the east, Mokokchung District on the west, Sivasagar District of Assam on the north and Tuensang District on the south.
The district is known as the Home of the Phom Nagas and is described as the land of clouds because of winter cloud cover.
Became Revenue District:
24 January 2004
Order among districts:
Tenth
Headquarters altitude:
about 1,100m
Principal tribe:
Phom
Why it matters for exams: Tests district formation dates, tribes and neighbouring districts in Nagaland.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC