Background
Kozhikode district was the capital of the erstwhile kingdom of the mighty Zamorins and once a renowned commercial center.
The city of Calicut, the Anglicized form of Kozhikode, is the headquarters of the district.
The district is 38.25% urban and is bordered by Kannur district to the North, Wayanad to the East and Malappuram to the South, with the Arabian Sea to the West.
It is situated between latitudes 11 degrees 08 minutes N and 11 degrees 50 minutes N and longitudes 75 degrees 30 minutes E and 76 degrees 8 minutes E.
The division of the district into 4 Taluks came into effect in 2001: Kozhikode, Vadakara, Koyilandy and Thamarassery.
As per the census of 2011, 12 block panchayats make up the district, namely Balusseri, Chelannur, Koduvally, Kozhikode, Kunnamangalam, Kunnummal, Melady, Panthalayani, Perambra, Thodannur, Thuneri and Vadakara.
Headquarters:
The city of Calicut
Taluks:
4, in effect from 2001: Kozhikode, Vadakara, Koyilandy, Thamarassery
Block panchayats:
12
Urban share:
38.25% urban
Why it matters for exams: The taluks and block panchayats of each district, and Kozhikode's link to the Zamorins, are routine Kerala PSC items.
Kerala PSC
In plain words
Zamorin Samoothiri of Kozhikode — The ruler of the medieval kingdom whose capital was Kozhikode.
Block panchayat Block panchayat — The middle tier of rural local government between the grama panchayat and the district panchayat.
Background
A PIB feature from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting says the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) was founded in 1952.
The inaugural edition was held in Mumbai, and IFFI was organised by the Films Division under the Government of India.
From the 3rd edition in January 1965, IFFI became competitive.
In 2004 the festival found a permanent home in Goa, and has been organised there every year as a competitive event.
Founded:
1952
First edition organised by:
Films Division
Competitive from:
3rd edition
Moved to Goa:
2004
Why it matters for exams: Film festival hosts, founding years and organisers are common art, culture and general knowledge questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
IFFI International Film Festival of India — India's international film festival, now held in Goa.
Background
International Mother Language Day is observed on 21 February.
UNESCO says the idea of celebrating it was the initiative of Bangladesh.
It was approved at the 1999 UNESCO General Conference.
It has been observed throughout the world since 2000.
UNESCO ties the day to its mandate for peace, preserving cultural and linguistic differences.
Date:
21 February
Approved at:
1999 UNESCO General Conference
Observed worldwide since:
2000
Why it matters for exams: International days and the country behind them are regular recall questions, and this one links Bangladesh to a global observance.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization — The UN agency that approved this international day.
Background
UNESCO's World Heritage Convention page for Bangladesh lists two cultural and one natural property.
The Historic Mosque City of Bagerhat is listed as a cultural property, with the year 1985.
The Ruins of the Buddhist Vihara at Paharpur is also a cultural property, with the year 1985.
The Sundarbans is the natural property, with the year 1997.
The page also records state-of-conservation reports on the Sundarbans.
Cultural properties:
Bagerhat (1985), Paharpur (1985)
Natural property:
The Sundarbans (1997)
Why it matters for exams: World Heritage lists are asked by category (cultural or natural) and by year of inscription.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
PIB describes Lothal as a prominent city of the ancient Indus Valley Civilisation dating back to 2400 BCE.
It holds historical significance for its advanced dockyard, thriving trade and renowned bead-making industry.
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is developing the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, Gujarat, under the Sagarmala Programme.
The complex is meant to showcase India's maritime heritage from ancient to modern times.
Site landmarks named by PIB include INS Nishank, the Lothal Jetty Walkway and the Museum Block.
Civilisation:
Indus Valley Civilisation
Dating (per PIB):
2400 BCE
Complex developed under:
Sagarmala Programme
Why it matters for exams: Lothal's dockyard and the NMHC link ancient history with the Sagarmala port-led development programme.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
NMHC National Maritime Heritage Complex — A facility at Lothal to showcase India's maritime heritage.
Background
The Ministry of Culture's list states that there are 44 World Heritage Properties in the country.
Four of them are in Gujarat, with the year of inscription as given in the PIB list.
Champaner-Pavagarh Archaeological Park: 2004.
Rani-ki-Vav (The Queen's Stepwell) at Patan: 2014.
Historic City of Ahmedabad: 2017.
Dholavira: A Harappan City: 2021.
PIB writes the first name as "Champaner-Pavagarh", with this spelling.
Champaner-Pavagarh Archaeological Park:
2004
Rani-ki-Vav at Patan:
2014
Historic City of Ahmedabad:
2017
Dholavira: A Harappan City:
2021
Why it matters for exams: World Heritage Sites by State and year of inscription are asked in almost every culture and general-knowledge paper.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization — The UN agency whose World Heritage List the properties are inscribed on.
Background
Churches and Convents of Goa figures in the Ministry of Culture list of India's World Heritage properties, with the year of inscription given as 1986.
The Archaeological Survey of India describes the churches and convents at Velha (Old) Goa.
The churches and cathedrals at Old Goa were built during the 16th to 17th century AD.
The group includes the Se Cathedral, the Basilica of Bom Jesus, the Church and Convent of St. Francis of Assisi, the Chapel of St. Catherine, the Church of Lady of Rosary and the Church of St. Augustine.
The Basilica of Bom Jesus is made of black granite.
Year of inscription (Ministry of Culture list):
1986
Location:
Old Goa
Built during:
16th to 17th century AD
Why it matters for exams: World Heritage sites by State and year of inscription are staple art and culture questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
ASI Archaeological Survey of India — The Union body that protects and maintains centrally protected monuments.
Background
The Goa, Daman and Diu Official Language Act, 1987 makes Konkani in the Devanagari script the sole official language of Goa.
It provides that Marathi may also be used for all or any of the official purposes.
The Goa Legislative Assembly passed the bill making Konkani the official language on 4 February 1987; the day is observed as Official Language Day.
Konkani was recognised in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution on 20 August 1992.
Konkani, Manipuri and Nepali were included in the Eighth Schedule in 1992.
The Schedule now lists 22 languages.
Official Language Act:
1987
Script:
Devanagari
Eighth Schedule recognition:
20 August 1992
Languages added with Konkani in 1992:
Manipuri, Nepali
Why it matters for exams: Official languages and Eighth Schedule additions are regular polity questions, and the sole-versus-Marathi qualifier is the examinable detail.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Eighth Schedule Eighth Schedule to the Constitution — It lists the languages officially recognised by the Constitution.
Background
Sirpur lies on the bank of the Mahanadi river and is listed on the Mahasamund district website.
The district page places Sirpur at the top of the historical places of South Kosal, that is, present Chhattisgarh.
In the age of the Somavanshi emperors it was known as Shripur and was the capital of South Kosal.
The page says Sirpur has a very special position in the history of Indian art.
Its photo gallery lists the Laxman temple, Swastik Vihar, Buddha Vihar, Anand Prabhu Cottage and Baleshwar Shiv Temple.
The nearest railhead is Mahasamund and the nearest airport is at Raipur, 74.5 km away.
Old name:
Shripur
River:
Mahanadi
District:
Mahasamund
Nearest airport:
Raipur, 74.5 km
Why it matters for exams: Ancient capitals, their old names and river locations are common history and culture questions about a state.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
The University of Kerala's own page records it as established in 1937, as the University of Travancore, during the reign of Sree Chithira Thirunal. Its Facts and Figures page calls it the 16th University in India. Its charter is the Kerala University Act of 1974 (Act 17 of 1974); it was earlier governed by the Travancore University Act of 1937 and the Kerala University Act of 1957. Its motto is Karmani Vyajyate Pranja (Wisdom through Action). The Registrar's address is Palayam, Thiruvananthapuram. Listed campuses include Senate House (17 acres) and Kariavattom (359 acres).
Established:
1937
Original name:
University of Travancore
Charter:
Kerala University Act, 1974 (Act 17 of 1974)
Kariavattom Campus (acres):
359
Why it matters for exams: Kerala PSC regularly asks about Kerala's older institutions, their founding year and the Act that governs them.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Act 17 of 1974 Kerala University Act, 1974 — The Act that is the University of Kerala's present charter.
6 October 2026
The Kerala Council for Historical Research has extended the last date for applications to the internship under its online Digital Archive Project to 9 October.
Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree or a postgraduate degree in History or in Malayalam.
Detailed biodata is to be sent to kchrdkp@gmail.com with the subject line given in the notice, or through the Google form link in the notice.
The announcement was issued by the Information and Public Relations Department as release P.N.X. 4172/2026 on 6 October 2026.
New last date:
9 October
Eligibility:
Degree or postgraduate degree in History or Malayalam
Release number:
P.N.X. 4172/2026
Why it matters for exams: KCHR is an autonomous research institution of the Kerala government and its programmes appear in state-level awareness questions.
Kerala PSC
In plain words
KCHR Kerala Council for Historical Research — An autonomous institution of the Kerala government for research in history and social sciences.
6 October 2026
The Government of Kerala announced that the Ashtamudi Water Gate Music Festival will be held at the Sree Narayana Guru Cultural Complex in Kollam from 7 to 11 October 2026.
Minister for Tourism, Culture and Cinema P C Vishnunath will inaugurate the festival, Minister Bindu Krishna will preside and Minister Shibu Baby John will be the chief guest.
The concept of the festival is musical ecology and water, linking water and human life with culture and music.
Performances begin at 7 pm each day and include Manganiyar Seduction from Rajasthan, Araka Vyooham - The Percussion Band, Hamsi and Band, Shanka Tribe and Indian Ocean.
The Kerala State Film Academy will screen films on musicians, musical traditions and the relation between music and society from 2 pm to 4 pm every day.
Dates:
7 to 11 October 2026
Venue:
Sree Narayana Guru Cultural Complex, Kollam
Theme:
Musical ecology and water
Film screenings:
2 pm to 4 pm daily, by the Kerala State Film Academy
Why it matters for exams: State-run cultural festivals, their venues and the ministers in charge are asked in Kerala PSC general awareness.
Kerala PSC
Background
The UNESCO World Heritage Centre's page for India lists two inscribed properties that lie in Bihar, and both are cultural properties. The Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya carries the inscription year 2002. The Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara at Nalanda, Bihar carries the inscription year 2016. The Gaya district administration records that the Mahabodhi Mahavihara is the most sacred place of Buddhist Pilgrimage in the world. It records that the gold painted statue of Buddha in the sanctum shrine of the Temple is made of Black stone built by the Pala kings of Bengal, and that the Buddha is seen seated in the Bhumisparsa Mudra, the Earth touching posture. No natural or mixed World Heritage property is listed for Bihar.
Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya:
2002, cultural
Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara at Nalanda, Bihar:
2016, cultural
Posture of the Buddha image at Bodh Gaya:
Bhumisparsa Mudra
Why it matters for exams: Which properties a state holds on the World Heritage List, and whether they are cultural or natural, is one of the most reliably repeated static questions in both Kerala PSC and UPSC prelims.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Mahavihara — A large Buddhist monastery that also served as a seat of teaching.
Bhumisparsa Mudra — The hand gesture in which the seated Buddha touches the earth with the right hand.
Background
West Champaran District was carved out of the old Champaran District in the year 1972 as a result of re-organization of the District in the state. It was formerly a subdivision of Saran District and then Champaran District, with Bettiah as its head quarters. The district administration records that Bettiah got its name from Baint (Cane) plants commonly found in the district. It also records that the name Champaran is a degenerate form of Champaka aranya, a name dating from the time when the tract was a forest of Champa (Magnolia) trees. On the 2011 Census figures the district publishes, Paschim Champaran ranks 9th in terms of population (39,35,042) and 1st in terms of area (5,228 sq.km.) in the state of Bihar. The same figures make it the 35th densely populated district in the state with 753 persons per sq.km. The district's place in the freedom movement rests on indigo cultivation: Raj Kumar Shukla, a raiyat and indigo cultivator of Champaran, carried the cultivators' case to Gandhiji, who came to Champaran in 1917 and began the Champaran Satyagraha Movement.
Carved out of old Champaran District:
1972
Headquarters:
Bettiah
Rank in Bihar by area (2011 Census):
1st, 5,228 sq.km.
Rank in Bihar by population (2011 Census):
9th, 39,35,042
Population density:
753 persons per sq.km (35th in the state)
Why it matters for exams: District re-organisation, place-name etymology and the Census rank of a district are standard one-mark material, and West Champaran is also the setting of the first satyagraha in India.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Raiyat — A cultivator holding land directly under a landlord or the state in colonial revenue law.
Subdivision — An administrative unit below the district and above the block in the Indian revenue hierarchy.
Background
Assam has the potential for production of 3 varieties of silk: mulberry, eri and muga. Muga silk of Assam is the unique golden-yellow silk produced only in India. Muga is a wild eco race available only in India, found mainly in Assam and parts of Meghalaya and Nagaland bordering Assam. The Central Silk Board runs the Central Muga Research Institute at Ladoigarh, Jorhat, in Assam, where 8 best muga silkworm races have been isolated and assessed. A Muga Raw Material Bank (MRMB) is functioning at Sibsagar in Assam with three sub-depots, at Dhakukhana and Sualkuchi in Assam and Coochbehar in West Bengal. The Government, through the Central Silk Board, has implemented the centrally sponsored Catalytic Development Programme in collaboration with the State Sericulture Department of Assam to promote Mulberry, Eri and Muga silk production in Assam. The official account records that Assam does not produce the quantity of mulberry silk its consumers demand, mulberry silk yarn being supplied by traders from other parts of the country, and that a few silk fabric traders have been producing Assamese dress materials, particularly Mekhela-Chadar, of mulberry silk at weaving units outside the State. The Silk Mark scheme of the Silk Mark Organisation of India is the quality assurance label for products made of pure silk.
Silk varieties in Assam:
Mulberry, eri and muga
Muga research institute:
Central Muga Research Institute, Ladoigarh, Jorhat
Muga Raw Material Bank:
Sibsagar
Traditional dress material:
Mekhela-Chadar
Why it matters for exams: Muga is the one silk an examiner can ask about as exclusive to India, and the pairing of a silk variety with its research institute and its home district is a standard matching question.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Sericulture — The rearing of silkworms and the reeling of their cocoons into raw silk.
Eco race — A population of silkworms adapted to one region's climate and host plants.
Mekhela-Chadar — The two-piece Assamese dress worn by women, woven in silk.
Background
“Moidams – the Mound-Burial System of the Ahom Dynasty” from Assam was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as India's 43rd entry, at the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee held at New Delhi. The UNESCO list of properties inscribed for India records the year of inscription as 2024. It is the third World Heritage Property from Assam, following Kaziranga National Park and Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, both inscribed under the Natural category in 1985, and it is the first cultural heritage site from the North East on the list. The moidams are a royal mound burial site created by the Tai-Ahom, situated in the foothills of the Patkai Ranges in eastern Assam. The Tai-Ahom people arrived in Assam in the 13th century, establishing Charaideo as their first city and the site of the royal necropolis. For 600 years, from the 13th to the 19th century CE, the Tai-Ahom constructed moidams, or “home-for-spirit”, using natural elements such as hills, forests and water to create a sacred geography. The mounds were initially built with wood and later with stone and burnt bricks, as documented in the Changrung Phukan, the Ahoms' traditional canonical literature. The Archaeological Survey of India and the Assam State Department of Archaeology have worked together on the site's conservation.
Inscribed:
2024
India's entry number:
43rd
Place:
Charaideo, eastern Assam
Builders:
Tai-Ahom
Period of construction:
13th to 19th century CE
Why it matters for exams: World Heritage inscriptions are asked year after year, and this one carries three further hooks an examiner can use: Assam's count of properties, the North East's first cultural site, and the Ahom dynasty itself.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Moidam — A Tai-Ahom royal burial mound, read as a home-for-spirit rather than a tomb alone.
Changrung Phukan — The Ahoms' traditional canonical literature, which records how the mounds were built.
Necropolis — A large burial ground of an ancient city, used here for the royal burials at Charaideo.
Background
An ambitious Gorkha King named Prithvi Narayan Shah conquered the kingdoms of the Kathmandu Valley by 1769 and moved his capital to Kathmandu. The Shah dynasty he established ruled unified Nepal from 1769 to 2008. During the mid-19th century Jung Bahadur Rana became Nepal's first prime minister to wield absolute power, starting a hereditary reign of the Rana Prime Ministers that lasted for 104 years. The Ranas were overthrown in a democracy movement of the early 1950s, and King Tribhuvan was reinstated as the Head of the State. An independent Ministry of Foreign Affairs was established in 1951, in place of the older Munshi Khana. A Constituent Assembly election was held on April 10, 2008. The new constitution of Nepal was promulgated by a vote of the Constituent Assembly on September 20, 2015.
Unification under the Gorkha king:
1769
Shah dynasty rule over unified Nepal:
1769 to 2008
Hereditary Rana premiership:
104 years
Constituent Assembly election:
April 10, 2008
Constitution promulgated:
September 20, 2015
Why it matters for exams: Examiners ask who unified Nepal, how long the Rana premiership lasted and which body adopted the present Constitution, and the three together make one clean chronology question.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Gorkha — The hill kingdom whose ruling house went on to unify Nepal and give the country its royal dynasty.
Munshi Khana — The office that handled Nepal's foreign correspondence before a separate foreign ministry was created.
Constituent Assembly — An elected body whose task is to write a constitution.
Background
Nepal's acceptance of the World Heritage Convention is recorded as Tuesday, 20 June 1978. The World Heritage Centre lists two cultural properties for Nepal. They are Kathmandu Valley, inscribed in 1979, and Lumbini, the Birthplace of the Lord Buddha, inscribed in 1997. Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, lies in Nepal. The two natural properties are Chitwan National Park, inscribed in 1984, and Sagarmatha National Park, inscribed in 1979. Nepal also keeps 15 sites on its Tentative List, the inventory of properties a State Party intends to consider for nomination.
Acceptance of the Convention:
Tuesday, 20 June 1978
Cultural properties:
Kathmandu Valley, Lumbini, the Birthplace of the Lord Buddha
Natural properties:
Chitwan National Park, Sagarmatha National Park
Sites on the Tentative List:
15
Why it matters for exams: Lumbini is asked in every Buddhism question set, and the split of a country's World Heritage properties between cultural and natural is a favourite match-the-following.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Tentative List — The inventory of properties a State Party intends to consider for nomination to the World Heritage List.
State Party — A country that has accepted or ratified the World Heritage Convention.
Background
China ratified the World Heritage Convention on 12 December 1985.
The UNESCO record for China lists 42 cultural properties, 15 natural properties and four mixed properties.
Among the cultural properties are the Great Wall, the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor, the Ancient City of Ping Yao, the Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City, the Grand Canal and the Beijing Central Axis.
Among the natural properties are the Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area, the Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries, Qinghai Hoh Xil and the Badain Jaran Desert - Towers of Sand and Lakes.
All four mixed properties are mountains: Mount Taishan, Mount Huangshan, Mount Wuyi and the Mount Emei Scenic Area, which includes the Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area.
China has served four mandates on the World Heritage Committee.
Convention ratified:
12 December 1985
Cultural properties:
42
Natural properties:
15
Mixed properties:
4
Why it matters for exams: Country-wise World Heritage counts and named properties are a recurring one-mark item, and the small mixed category is the part candidates usually miss.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Mixed property — A World Heritage property inscribed for both cultural and natural value.
World Heritage Convention — The 1972 UNESCO treaty under which States Parties nominate properties for the World Heritage List.
World Heritage Committee — The elected body of States Parties that decides which properties are inscribed.
Background
The Kerala Legislative Assembly, the House the Governor summons for each session, has not sat without interruption: the Legislature's own record of President's Rule in Kerala lists seven spells. They are 23-3-1956 to 5-4-1957, 31-7-1959 to 22-2-1960, 10-9-1964 to 6-3-1967, 4-8-1970 to 3-10-1970, 5-12-1979 to 25-1-1980, 21-10-1981 to 28-12-1981 and 17-3-1982 to 23-5-1982. The longest of them ran for about two and a half years, from 10-9-1964 to 6-3-1967. The shortest ran for about two months, from 4-8-1970 to 3-10-1970. Three of the seven fall within a span of three years at the start of the nineteen-eighties. The record shows no further spell after 23-5-1982.
Spells listed in the record:
7
First spell begins:
23-3-1956
First spell ends:
5-4-1957
Longest spell begins:
10-9-1964
Longest spell ends:
6-3-1967
Last spell ends:
23-5-1982
Why it matters for exams: The number of spells of President's Rule in Kerala and the longest of them are asked in both State and national polity papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
President's Rule — The arrangement under which a State is administered by the Union when its government cannot be carried on under the Constitution.