Background
Kerala's classical Sanskrit theatre is recognised by UNESCO not as a monument but as living heritage, on a list of its own. Kutiyattam, Sanskrit theatre, is practised in the province of Kerala and is one of India's oldest living theatrical traditions. It was inscribed in 2008 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and had been proclaimed earlier, in 2001. Originating more than 2,000 years ago, Kutiyattam represents a synthesis of Sanskrit classicism and reflects the local traditions of Kerala. In its stylized and codified theatrical language, neta abhinaya (eye expression) and hasta abhinaya (the language of gestures) are prominent. Actors undergo ten to fifteen years of rigorous training; a single act may take days to perform and a complete performance may last up to 40 days. Kutiyattam is traditionally performed in theatres called Kuttampalams, which are located in Hindu temples.
Inscribed:
2008
Originally proclaimed:
2001
Training period for an actor:
ten to fifteen years
Length of a complete performance:
up to 40 days
Why it matters for exams: Examiners test whether a candidate can tell UNESCO's intangible heritage list apart from the World Heritage List, and Kutiyattam is the standard Kerala example.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Kuttampalam — The roofed theatre hall built inside a temple compound for ritual performance.
Abhinaya — The acting technique by which a performer conveys meaning through body, face and gesture.
Representative List Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity — UNESCO's main list of living traditions, kept separate from the World Heritage List of places.
Background
The UNESCO World Heritage Centre's page for India shows 45 properties inscribed on the World Heritage List. Of these, 37 are Cultural, 7 are Natural and 1 is Mixed. The Mixed property is Khangchendzonga National Park. The Natural properties include Kaziranga National Park, Keoladeo National Park, Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, Sundarbans National Park and the Western Ghats. The same page lists 78 sites on India's Tentative List, the inventory of properties the country intends to consider for nomination.
Properties inscribed:
45
Cultural:
37
Natural:
7
Mixed:
1
Tentative List sites:
78
Why it matters for exams: Counts of Cultural, Natural and Mixed World Heritage sites, and which site falls in which class, are staple questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
Tentative List — An inventory of properties a country intends to consider for World Heritage nomination.
Background
Pakistan's World Heritage List entries are Archaeological Ruins at Moenjodaro, Taxila, and Buddhist Ruins of Takht-i-Bahi and Neighbouring City Remains at Sahr-i-Bahlol.
The other three are Historical Monuments at Makli, Thatta, Fort and Shalamar Gardens in Lahore, and Rohtas Fort.
The first three were inscribed in 1980, Makli and the Lahore property in 1981, and Rohtas Fort in 1997.
Pakistan ratified the World Heritage Convention on 23 July 1976.
Properties inscribed:
6, all cultural
Most recent entry:
Rohtas Fort
Convention ratified:
23 July 1976
Why it matters for exams: The number and names of a country's World Heritage Sites are a staple of general-awareness papers.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
Background
Tawang was a Sub-Division of West Kameng District until 5th October 1984 and was formally carved out as a full-fledged district on 6th October 1984. The first administrative centre was set up on 6th February 1951 by Major Bob Khating. The inhabitants belong to the Monpa tribe and practise Tibetan Buddhism (Gelugpa sect) centred around Tawang Monastery. Torgya is held in January, Losar in late February or early March. Its major rivers are the Tawang-Chu and Nyamjang-Chu, and the highest peak is Gourichen at about 22,500 ft.
Carved out as district:
6th October 1984
Tribe:
Monpa
Sect:
Gelugpa
Highest peak:
Gourichen (approx. 22,500 ft)
Why it matters for exams: Tawang Monastery, the Monpa and the Torgya and Losar festivals are standard art-and-culture facts for Arunachal Pradesh.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
Background
A proposal by the Chief Minister of Kerala to shift the 167-year-old zoo out of the city to a forest neighbourhood has put the compound under public debate. The museum and zoo were formally established in 1855; the museum opened to the public in 1857 and the zoo and public gardens followed in 1859. The collection of exotic animals began in the reign of Maharaja Swathi Thirunal of Travancore. The compound covers 55 acres, of which about 30 acres are animal enclosures, and holds over a thousand animals of nearly a hundred species along with the museum, a botanical garden and art galleries. Sites under consideration for a relocated zoo include the Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary, which spans 128 square kilometres, the Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary at 53 square kilometres and the Agasthyavanam Biological Park Range at 32 square kilometres. Kerala already has a precedent: the Thrissur zoo was moved from its city-centre site to the 336-acre Puthur Zoological Park, developed at about ₹369 crore. Moving a zoological park next to protected forest would need environmental impact assessments and statutory clearances.
Museum and zoo formally established:
1855
Museum opened to the public:
1857
Zoo and public gardens opened:
1859
Area of the compound:
55 acres, about 30 acres of enclosures
Puthur Zoological Park, Thrissur:
336 acres, about ₹369 crore
Why it matters for exams: The compound links Travancore's institutional history with present-day questions of zoo management and forest clearances, a combination examiners like.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Agasthyavanam Biological Park Agasthyavanam Biological Park Range — A forest range near Thiruvananthapuram, 32 square kilometres in extent, named after the Agasthyamala hills.
5 October 2026
The Cabinet Division announced that the cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, approved a five-day holiday for Sharadiya Durga Puja from 20 to 24 October 2026.
To make up for the added day, government offices will remain open on Saturday 17 October 2026.
The existing holidays were 20 October for Navami and 21 October for Bijoya Dashami, with 23 and 24 October falling on the weekly holidays; 22 October was newly declared.
The Ministry of Public Administration will issue the notification giving effect to the decision.
The government also raised the grant to the Hindu Religious Welfare Trust for Durga Puja to Tk 50 million against a request for Tk 40 million, and the grant to the Buddhist Religious Welfare Trust for Kathin Chibar Dan to Tk 30 million against a request for Tk 20 million.
Holiday period:
20 to 24 October 2026
Working Saturday:
17 October 2026
Newly declared holiday:
22 October 2026
Grant for Durga Puja:
Tk 50 million
Grant for Kathin Chibar Dan:
Tk 30 million
Why it matters for exams: The Cabinet Division and the Ministry of Public Administration are the bodies that declare Bangladesh's public holidays, a frequently tested point of administrative structure.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Cabinet Division Cabinet Division of the Government of Bangladesh — The division that services cabinet meetings and announces their decisions.
Bijoya Dashami Bijoya Dashami — The concluding day of Durga Puja, when the idols are taken for immersion.
Kathin Chibar Dan Kathin Chibar Dan — A Buddhist ceremony in which robes woven within a day are offered to monks.
Taka Bangladeshi taka — The currency of Bangladesh, issued by Bangladesh Bank.
Background
UNESCO's page for Venezuela lists three World Heritage properties.
Coro and its Port and Ciudad Universitaria de Caracas are cultural properties.
Canaima National Park is the natural property, inscribed under criteria (vii)(viii)(ix)(x).
The park covers 3,000,000 hectares in south-eastern Venezuela along the border between Guyana and Brazil.
Roughly 65% of the park is covered by table mountain (tepui) formations.
Venezuela ratified the World Heritage Convention on 30 October 1990.
World Heritage properties:
3
Canaima area:
3,000,000 hectares
Tepui cover in Canaima:
Roughly 65%
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Tepui Table mountain — A flat-topped mountain with steep cliffs, typical of Canaima.
Background
The Indian Embassy in Havana records that India and Cuba established diplomatic relations after the Cuban revolution of 1959, and that the first head of the Indian mission presented credentials on 12 January 1960. Ernesto 'Che' Guevara visited India from 30 June to 4 July 1959, a visit the Embassy describes as instrumental in consolidating the early ties between the two countries. The Embassy describes the relationship as traditionally warm and friendly, with continued collaboration in the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement and other international fora. Current engagement runs through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation programme, whose Cuban alumni were celebrated in March 2026, and through cultural work such as the Indian Film Festival held in Cuba in September 2025. India also delivered humanitarian assistance and disaster relief material to Cuba in November 2025.
Credentials presented by first head of Indian mission:
12 January 1960
Che Guevara's visit to India:
30 June to 4 July 1959
Shared fora:
United Nations, Non-Aligned Movement
Training programme:
ITEC
Why it matters for exams: The Havana mission and Che Guevara's India visit are the two anchors of the India-Cuba story.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
ITEC Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation — India's programme of training courses and technical assistance for officials and professionals from partner countries.
Credentials — The formal letter a head of mission presents to the host state before taking charge.
HADR Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief — Aid in the form of relief material and services sent to a country hit by a disaster.
Background
The Lakshadweep Administration records Bitra as the smallest inhabited island in the territory, with a land area of 0.105 sq km. It is 0.57 km long and 0.28 km wide at its broadest point, but its lagoon covers 45.61 sq km. Bitra lies at 11 degrees 36 minutes North and 72 degrees 11 minutes East, 483 km or 261 nautical miles from Kochi. The recorded population is 271. The administration notes that before 1835 the island was a breeding ground for seabirds. The first permanent settler was a woman from Chetlat who, with her son, set up a house there around 1945. A small shrine to Malik Mulla, an Arab saint said to be buried there, draws pilgrims from the neighbouring islands.
Land area:
0.105 sq km
Lagoon area:
45.61 sq km
Population:
271
Distance from Kochi:
483 km (261 nautical miles)
Why it matters for exams: Smallest and largest units of a Union Territory are routine one-mark questions, and Bitra is the extreme case in Lakshadweep.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Nautical mile — A unit of distance at sea, longer than a land mile, used in navigation.
5 October 2026
Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, speaking at Kasaragod on 3 October 2026, said the State is not in a position now to spend such a large amount of money on the Loka Kerala Sabha, the forum for Kerala's diaspora.
The Chief Minister's Office has said the Loka Kerala Sabha will be discontinued and that not a single rupee has been allocated for it.
The Kerala Cabinet had decided to dissolve the forum and to work out a new mechanism for expatriate welfare and investment.
All five editions of the Loka Kerala Sabha were held every two years between 2018 and 2026, inside the Kerala Legislative Assembly complex in Thiruvananthapuram.
The Speaker proposed instead bringing 70 distinguished Malayalis onto one platform when the Assembly marks its 70th anniversary in April 2027, and said the idea needs discussion at various levels.
He said the invitees could include artists, writers, cultural figures and prominent people from various fields.
Editions held:
Five, between 2018 and 2026
Assembly's 70th anniversary:
April 2027
Malayalis to be honoured:
70
Why it matters for exams: The Loka Kerala Sabha, its five editions and the Assembly's 70th anniversary year are the kind of Kerala-specific facts the PSC asks.
Kerala PSC
In plain words
Loka Kerala Sabha Loka Kerala Sabha — A forum convened by the Kerala government bringing together Malayalis living outside the State and abroad.
Speaker Speaker of the Legislative Assembly — The presiding officer of the Assembly, elected by its members.
5 October 2026
Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram announced on 5 October 2026 that the Government of India would spend about 10 crore on the expansion and facilities of the Eklavya Model Residential School at Khatima.
He was speaking at the inauguration of the three-day Uttarakhand Adi Rangotsav at Khatima in Udham Singh Nagar district, alongside Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.
The tender process for a hostel costing about 4 crore has been completed and construction will begin soon. The school will hold 480 students in all, 240 boys and 240 girls, which is also the standard capacity of an Eklavya Model Residential School.
The Minister noted that the Ministry of Tribal Affairs was created in 1999, and that the Khatima school has a 100 per cent examination pass rate; similar schools run at Bajpur, Chakrata and Kalsi in Uttarakhand.
Artists at the Adi Rangotsav presented the traditions of tribal communities including the Tharu, Boksa, Jaunsari and Raji.
Announced for school expansion:
about 10 crore
Cost of the planned hostel:
about 4 crore
Total student capacity:
480 (240 boys and 240 girls)
District:
Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand
Why it matters for exams: Fixes the standard EMRS capacity of 480 and the 1999 creation of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs with a live announcement.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
EMRS Eklavya Model Residential School — A residential school scheme of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs for Scheduled Tribe children in remote areas.
Adi Rangotsav — A tribal performing-arts festival organised by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
Background
Diu Fort was built by the Portuguese in 1535.
It stands at the mouth of the Gulf of Khambhat.
The parapet of the fort is lined with cannons that were earlier employed in its defence.
Three churches stand within it: St Thomas Church, St Paul's Church and the Church of St Francis of Assisi.
A lighthouse inside the fort gives an elevated view of the area, and a Shiva temple dedicated to Gangeshwar Mahadev lies nearby.
A Venetian-Gothic style bungalow stands close to the fort.
Built:
1535
Built by:
The Portuguese
Churches inside:
Three
Why it matters for exams: The year 1535 and the Gulf of Khambhat location fix Diu Fort in the standard Portuguese-India chronology.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Parapet Parapet — The low protective wall along the top edge of a fort rampart.
Background
Construction of the Fort of Moti Daman commenced in A.D. 1559 and concluded in A.D. 1581.
The fortification covers a large area of 30,000 square metres.
It has 10 bastions, reached by stairs at several points along the walls.
Inside stand the Cathedral of Bom Jesus, a Dominican Monastery, Bocage House, an old lighthouse and a convent school.
The fort also holds the Administrator's Secretariat, Government House, the district court, the district library, a public health centre and the Daman Municipal Council.
Most of the fort is open to the public.
Construction:
A.D. 1559 to A.D. 1581
Area:
30,000 square metres
Bastions:
10
Why it matters for exams: A Portuguese fort that still houses a district court and a secretariat is an unusual heritage-and-administration link examiners like.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Bastion Bastion — A projecting part of a fort wall, built so defenders can fire along the wall face.
Background
This standing fact is in the news because the 50th Vayalar Award was announced on 4 October 2026 for the novel 'Athreyakam' by the writer R Rajasree. The prize's full name is the Vayalar Ramavarma Memorial Literary Award, and it is instituted by the Vayalar Ramavarma Memorial Trust. The highest-scoring works are referred to a judging committee for the final selection, and the Trust accepted that committee's recommendation for the 50th award. It carries a cash prize of ₹1 lakh, a bronze sculpture by the sculptor Kanayi Kunhiraman, and a citation. The winning work is chosen from original Malayalam literary works first published during the five years preceding the award year. The award is presented annually on October 27, the death anniversary of Vayalar Ramavarma. The 50th award is to be handed over at the Nishagandhi Auditorium in Thiruvananthapuram as the concluding event of the year-long 'Vayalar Year 2025-26' celebrations.
Full name of the award:
Vayalar Ramavarma Memorial Literary Award
Instituted by:
Vayalar Ramavarma Memorial Trust
Cash prize:
₹1 lakh
Sculptor of the bronze sculpture:
Kanayi Kunhiraman
Presented on:
October 27
Works considered:
original Malayalam literary works first published during the five years preceding the award year
Winner of the 50th award:
R Rajasree
Work awarded the 50th prize:
Athreyakam
Why it matters for exams: Malayalam literary awards are a standing Kerala PSC topic, and the body that gives the Vayalar Award, what the prize carries and the day it is presented are all asked.
Kerala PSC
In plain words
Vayalar Ramavarma Memorial Trust — The trust that instituted the Vayalar Award; a judging committee makes the final selection and the Trust accepted its recommendation on the winner.
Vayalar Ramavarma — The writer the award is named after; it is presented on his death anniversary, October 27.
Nishagandhi Auditorium — The auditorium in Thiruvananthapuram where the 50th award is to be presented.
Background
The Ministry of Textiles gives financial assistance for registering handloom products under the Geographical Indications (GI) of Goods Act, 1999, and has set up GI help desks at each Weavers Service Centre to handle issues relating to GI products and to promote GI in handloom clusters. Its State-wise list of registered handloom Geographical Indications records four from Andhra Pradesh: Uppada Jamdani Sarees, Venkatagiri Sarees, Mangalagiri Sarees And Fabrics, and Dharmavaram Handloom Pattu Sarres And Paavadas, the last spelt as the Ministry's list spells it. All four are entered in the list as handloom goods. On the same list, Pochampally Ikat, Gadwal Sarees, Siddipet Gollabama and Narayanpet Handloom Sarees are entered under Telangana, not Andhra Pradesh.
Andhra Pradesh handloom GI:
Uppada Jamdani Sarees
Andhra Pradesh handloom GI:
Venkatagiri Sarees
Andhra Pradesh handloom GI:
Mangalagiri Sarees And Fabrics
Andhra Pradesh handloom GI:
Dharmavaram Handloom Pattu Sarres And Paavadas
Where GI help desks are set up:
Weavers Service Centre
Why it matters for exams: Which Geographical Indication belongs to Andhra Pradesh and which to Telangana is a favourite trap after the bifurcation, and all four of these names recur in question papers.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
GI Geographical Indication — A sign used on a product whose qualities or reputation come from the place it is made.
Jamdani — A weaving technique in which the design is worked into the fabric on the loom itself.
Background
The Union Territory Administration describes Diu as a picturesque island situated in the Arabian Sea just off the southern coast of the Kathiawad Peninsula of Gujarat, which is also called Saurashtra. A portion of Diu District is on the mainland and is named Ghoghla. A small part of Diu known as Simbor is situated at a distance of 25 km from Diu and is reached through Gujarat. The district covers 40.00 Sq. Km. The attractions the Administration lists for Diu include the Diu Fort, the Naida Caves, the INS Khukhri Memorial, Gangeswar Mahadev, the Diu Museum, Saint Paul's Church, Nagoa Beach and Goghla Beach, which it records as holding Blue Flag certification. The town of Diu was an important port on the trade routes of the Arabian Sea, and the Battle of Diu was fought there in 1509 between Portugal and a combined force of Turkey, Egypt, Venice, the Republic of Ragusa and the Sultan of Gujarat.
Area:
40.00 Sq. Km
Mainland portion of the district:
Ghoghla
Distance of Simbor from Diu:
25 km
Beach recorded with Blue Flag certification:
Goghla Beach
Peninsula it lies off:
Kathiawad Peninsula
Why it matters for exams: Diu's position off Saurashtra, its mainland portion at Ghoghla and the detached pocket of Simbor are the kind of map facts a question turns on, and Blue Flag beaches are repeatedly examined.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
Blue Flag — An international certification awarded to beaches meeting set standards of cleanliness, safety and facilities.
Kathiawad Peninsula — The large peninsula of western Gujarat, also called Saurashtra.
Background
The district administration of Dadra and Nagar Haveli places the district on the western side of the foothills of the Western Ghats, with undulating terrain and 41.63% of its total geographical area under forest. It records the major tribes of the district as Varlies, Kokana, Dhodia and Dublas, and says no occasion in tribal life, whether a marriage or a harvest, is complete without a folk dance. The major dances it names are Tarpa, Dhol, Bhavada and Gherria. The district covers 491.00 sq.kms and recorded a population of 343709 at the 2011 Census. Its major river, the Daman Ganga, and its tributaries criss-cross the district and drain into the Arabian Sea at Daman. The administration's own account records the territory as comprising 72 villages.
Major tribes:
Varlies, Kokana, Dhodia and Dublas
Major dances:
Tarpa, Dhol, Bhavada and Gherria
Forest cover:
41.63%
Area:
491.00 sq.kms
Major river:
Daman Ganga
Villages:
72 villages
Why it matters for exams: Tribal composition and folk dance names for the smaller union territories are standard culture questions, and the 41.63% forest share with the Daman Ganga drainage is the geography an aspirant is expected to place.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Tarpa — A tribal folk dance of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, named after the wind instrument that leads it.
Undulating terrain — Land that rises and falls in low hills rather than lying flat.
Background
The Minicoy Island is the southern-most island of Lakshadweep, situated at a distance of 398 km (215 nautical miles) south-west of Kochi, having an area of 4.80 sq km, and it is 11 km long and crescent shaped.
It is the second largest island of the territory. The closest land to Minicoy is Thuraakunu Island in the Republic of the Maldives, which the Administration records as about 100 km to the south across the Vangaaru Channel.
The languages spoken are Hindi, English, Malayalam and Mahal, and the Administration describes Minicoy as the only people in India speaking Mahal, as a linguistic minority.
The island is organised into 10 villages known as 'Avah', named Bada, Aoumagu, Boduathiri, Rammedu, Sedivalu, Aloodi, Funhilol, Kudehi, Falessery and Kendiparty from south to north. Each Avah has its own internal organisation headed by a Moopan, and each village is headed by a Bodukaka and a Bodudatha, the first Bodukaka looking after internal matters and the second external affairs.
The village house is where the 'Baemedu', the assemblage of villagers, is held.
'Lava' is the most popular dance form on Minicoy, where the rest of the territory's popular folk arts are Kolkali and Parichakali, and the colourful race boat of the island is the 'Jahadhoni'.
The lighthouse of the island is one of the oldest and was constructed in 1885. The Administration's island-at-a-glance table gives Minicoy a population of 10447 at the 2011 census and a literacy rate of 93.01.
Total geographical area:
4.80 sq km
Distance from Kochi:
398 km (215 nautical miles)
Villages known as Avah:
10
Population (2011):
10447
Literacy rate:
93.01
Why it matters for exams: Minicoy is the one island of Lakshadweep that is culturally and linguistically distinct from the rest, and the Mahal language and the Avah village system are the facts papers use to test whether that distinction is understood rather than memorised.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
Avah Avah — A traditional village of Minicoy, each with its own village house and office-bearers.
Mahal Mahal — The language of Minicoy, written by the Lakshadweep Administration as Mahal.
Linguistic minority Linguistic minority — A community whose mother tongue is different from that of most people in the state or territory.
Baemedu Baemedu — The assemblage of villagers held in the village house of an Avah in Minicoy.
Background
Kavaratti is the capital of the Union Territory Lakshadweep and the Kavaratti Island is the headquarters of the Union Territory.
The island is at a distance of 404 km (218 nautical miles) from Kochi and is located between Agatti Island on the west and Andrott Island on the east, in the centre of the Lakshadweep archipelago.
It has an area of 4.22 sq km, a maximum length of 5.8 km and a width of 1.6 Km, and its lagoon runs about 6 km with an area of 4.96 sq km.
The island stands 2 to 5 m above the mean sea level on the western side and 2 to 3 m on the eastern side, and it has a small inland lake at its northern end.
At the 2011 census Kavaratti had a population of 11221, a density of 2396 per sq km and a literacy rate of 88.29.
Kavaratti has the maximum number of mosques in Lakshadweep: out of the 52 mosques, one of the oldest and most striking is the Ujra mosque built by Sheikh Mohammad Kasim, a 17th century structure with an ornate ceiling, while the Jamnath mosque has the largest tank of any mosque in the islands.
Kavaratti has been selected as one of the hundred Indian cities to be developed as a smart city under the Smart Cities Mission.
Total geographical area:
4.22 sq km
Distance from Kochi:
404 km (218 nautical miles)
Population (2011):
11221
Literacy rate:
88.29
Mosques on the island:
52
Why it matters for exams: The capital of Lakshadweep and its position in the archipelago are standard map questions, and the distance from Kochi is how papers test that an aspirant knows the territory is a long way offshore.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
Lagoon Lagoon — The shallow stretch of water held between an island and the coral reef that rings it.
Nautical mile Nautical mile — A unit of distance used at sea, a little longer than a kilometre and a half.
Background
Prior to the formation of this Union Territory on 1st November,1956, these islands formed part of the erstwhile Madras State. The Union Territory was formed in 1956 and it was named Lakshadweep in 1973.
The Administrator appointed under Article 239 of the constitution is the head of this U.T.
The entire group of islands is considered as one District and was divided into four Tahsils, each put in charge of a Tahsildar, except Minicoy where the post of Tahsildar was abolished and a Deputy Collector appointed in August,1978.
The headquarters of the Administration was shifted from Calicut in Kerala State to Kavaratti Island in March,1964, and when annual expenditure crossed Rs. 3 Crores the departments were decentralised and new offices were created in 1972.
The lowest revenue official on each island was known as 'Amin' in the Laccadive group and Minicoy and as 'Karani' in the Amindivi group; all are now designated 'Amin'.
Under colonial rule the British brought in the Lakshadweep Regulation 1912, which conferred limited judicial and magisterial powers on the Amins and Karanis of the islands and also restricted the entry of outsiders.
Before that, five islands of the Amini group had passed to Tipu Sultan in 1783 at the islanders' own request, and after the battle of Seringapattom in 1799 the islands were annexed to the British East India Company and administered from Mangalore; the remaining islands were handed over to the Company in 1854.
Earlier part of:
erstwhile Madras State
Year the Union Territory was formed:
1956
Year it was named Lakshadweep:
1973
Administrator appointed under:
Article 239
Tahsils the single district was divided into:
four Tahsils
Year the headquarters moved to Kavaratti:
1964
Why it matters for exams: The year of formation and the later change of name are asked as separate facts, and the shift of the headquarters from the Malabar coast to Kavaratti explains why so much of the territory's administration is still tied to Kerala.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
Tahsil Tahsil (Tehsil) — A revenue subdivision of a district, headed by a Tahsildar.
Amin Amin — The lowest revenue official on each island of Lakshadweep.
Amindivi group Amindivi group of islands — The northern group of the Lakshadweep islands, administered separately from the Laccadive group in colonial times.