Basic Facts about Kerala: For PSC Exams

Kerala is one of India's most beautiful states, with its stunning backwaters, coconut palms, exotic wildlife, turquoise Arabian sea, expansive and verdant tea plantations, clean hamlets, colorful festivals, dances, scrumptious cuisines, Ayurvedic medicines, literature, arts and culture, and much more. 

This article is all about rare, unknown, religious, historical, amazing and interesting facts about Kerala. This is also a part of the syllabus for upcoming Kerala PSC 10th level, plus two level and degree prelims as well as main exams.

An overview of Kerala

• State Symbols – Click here
• State Festival – Onam.
• Chief Minister – Pinarayi Vijayan (25 May 2016).
• Governor – Arif Mohammad Khan (6 September 2019).
• Chief Justice – Justice S. Mani Kumar.

• Formed on – 1 November 1956.
• Total Area – 38,863 km²
• Area Rank – 21 (1.18% of total land area).
• Capital – Thiruvanathapuram (old name: Ananthapuri).
• Official Languages – Malayalam (Script: Vattezhuthu) & English.
• Epithets of Kerala – God's Own Country, Land of Coconuts.

Boundaries & Bordering States:

• North – Karnataka.
• South-East – Tamil Nadu.

• West – Arabian Sea.
• East – Western Ghats.

• District sharing boundaries with two states – Wayanad (Karnataka & Tamil Nadu).
• Panchayath sharing boundaries with two states – Noolpuzha 
• (Wayanad).
• Districts sharing no borders with other states – Kottayam, Ernakulam, Alappuzha & Kozhikode.

Administrative Divisions:

Local Self Government Institutions:

District	Grama Panchayat	Block Panchayat	District Panchayat	Muncipality	Corporation
Thiruvananathapuram	73	11	1	4	1
Kollam	68	11	1	4	1
Pathanamthitta	53	8	1	4	-
Alappuzha	72	12	1	6	-
Kottayam	71	11	1	6	-
Idukki	52	8	1	2	-
Ernakulam	82	14	1	13	1
Thrissur	86	16	1	7	1
Palakkad	88	13	1	7	-
Malappuram	94	15	1	12	-
Kozhikode	70	12	1	7	1
Wayanad	23	4	1	3	-
Kannur	71	11	1	9	1
Kasaragode	38	6	1	3	-
Total	941	152	14	87	6

• Districts – 14.
• Largest District – Idukki.** (as of January 2024)
• Due to the annexation of a parcel of land (12,718.509 hectare) in Kuttampuzha village of Ernakulam district, to Edamalakudi village of Idukki district.
• 2nd Largest District in Kerala – Palakkad.
• Smallest District – Alappuzha.
• Southernmost District – Thiruvananthapuram.
• Northernmost District – Kasarcode.
Districts with
• Most no. of Municipalities – Ernakulam (13).
• Least no. of Municipalities – Idukki (2).
• Most no. of Block Panchayaths – Thrissur (16).
• Least no. of Block Panchayaths – Wayanad (4).
• Most no. of Grama Panchayaths – Malappuram (94).
• Least no. of Grama Panchayaths – Wayanad (23).
• Largest Grama Panchayath – Kumily (Idukki).
• Smallest Grama panchayath – Valapattanam (Kannur).
• Southernmost Grama Panchayath – Vellarada, Parasala.
• Northernmost Grama Panchayath – Manjeswaram.
• Most no. of local self-governing bodies – Malappuram.
• Largest Forest Area – Idukki.
• Smallest Forest Area – Alappuzha.
• Maximum no. of Industries – Ernakulam.
• Most no. of Post Offices – Thrissur.
• Most no. of Railway Stations – Thiruvanthapuram.
• No railway lines in Kerala – Wayanad & Idukki.
• Railway divisions in Kerala – 2 (Thiruvananthapuram & Palakkad)

• Municipalities  – 87.
• Corporations  – 6.
• First Corporation in Kerala – Thiruvanthapuram (1940).
• First Corporation formed after the independence of India – Kozhikode (1962).
• Largest Corporation in Kerala – Thiruvanthapuram (214.86 sq. km).
• Lastly formed Corporation in Kerala – Kannur (2015).
• Taluks – 78.
• Largest Taluk – Eranad (Malappuram).
• Smallest Taluk – Kunnathur (Kollam). 
• Southernmost Taluk – Neyyattinkara.
• Northern most Taluk – Manjeswaram.
• District with least no. of Taluks – Wayanad.
• District with most no. of Taluks – Ernakulam & Malappuram.
• Taluk with the least no. of villages – Kunnathur (Kollam). 
• Taluk having border with two states – Sulthan Bathery (Wayanad).
• Villages – 1674.
• Northern most Village – Thalapady (Kasarcode).
• Southernmost Village –  Kaliyikkavila (Thiruvananthapuram).
• Statutory towns* – 59
• Township – 1 (Guruvayoor- upgraded to municipality).
• Cantonments – 1 (Kannur).
• Assembly seats – 140.
• Southernmost Assembly Constituency – Parasala.
• Northernmost Assembly Constituency – Manjeswaram.
• Total number of reserved assembly Constituciency for Scheduled Caste – 14.
• Attingal & Chirayinkeezhu (Attingal), Kunnathur (Kollam), Adoor (Pathanamthitta), Mavelikara (Alappuzha), Vaikom (Kottayam), Devikulam (Idukki), Kunnathunad (Ernakulam), Nattika (Thrissur), Chelakkara, Tarur, Kongad (Palakkad), Wandoor (Wayanad) & Balussery (Vatakara).
• Total number of reserved assembly Constituciency for Scheduled Tribe – 2.
• Sulthan Bathery & Mananthavady (Wayanad)
• Loksabha seats – 20.
• No. of Seats reserved for SC – 2.
• Alathur & Mavelikkara.
• Southernmost Loksabha Constituency – Thiruvananthapuram.
• Northernmost Loksabha Constituency – Kasarcode.
• Rajya Sabha seats – 9.

Demographics:

Kerala is the thirteenth-largest Indian state by population, with 33,406,061 residents according to the 2011 Census.

(As per 2011 Census)

• Population – 3,33,87,667.
• Population Rank – 13th.
• Population Density – 860/Sq Km.
• Kerala has the third highest average population density in India (1st: Bihar & 2nd: West Bengal).
• Population Growth Rate – 4.86%.
• Life Expectancy – 77 years.
• Sex Ratio – 1084:1000 (Females:Males).
• Highest – Kannur (1136:1000).
• Lowest – Idukki (1006:1000).
District

• Most densely populated district – Thiruvanathapuram (1506 sq.km).
• Least densely populated district – Idukki (254 sq.km).
• Most populated district – Malappuram.
• Least populated district – Wayanad.
• Panchayath
• Most populated Panchayath – Thanur.
• Least populated Panchayath – Idamalakkudi.
Hindu – 54.73%
• Highest – Thiruvananthapuram.
• Highest percentage – Alappuzha.
• Lowest percentage – Malappuram
Muslim – 26.56%
• Highest – Malappuram.
• Highest percentage – Malappuram.
• Lowest percentage – Pathanamthitta.
Christian – 18.38%
• Highest – Ernakulam.
• Highest percentage – Kottayam.
• Lowest percentage – Malappuram.

 Jains – 0.01%

• Highest – Wayanad.

• Literacy rates – 94.00 %

• Highest – Kottayam (97.21%).
• 2nd highest – Pathanamthitta (96.55%).
• Lowest – Wayanad (89.03%).

• Scheduled Castes
• District with highest number of Scheduled Castes population – Palakkad.
• District with lowest number of Scheduled Castes population – Wayanad.
• Scheduled Tribes – Paniyar, Ulladan, Hill Pulaya, Irula, Kattunayakan, Koraga, Adiyan, Mudugar, Kadar.
• Population – 4,84,839 (1.5 % of the total population).
• The Largest tribal group in Kerala – Paniyar.
• District with highest number of tribal population – Wayanad.
• District with lowest number of tribal population – Alappuzha.

Geography

• Latitude – 8°18' N - 12°48' N.
• Longitude – 74°52' E - 77°22' E.
• Area  – 38,863 km².
• Mean Width – 67 km
• 21st largest state in India.
• Highest Peak in Kerala – Anamudi (2,695 km).
• Second Highest Peak in Kerala – Meesapulimala (2,640 km).
• Total area of ​​wetlands in Kerala – 12,730.07 Hectare.
• Total Coast Line – 580 km.
• No. of districts with coastal area – 9.
• No. of districts having no coastal area – 5 (Wayanad, Palakkad, Kottayam, Idukki & Pathanamthitta).
• Longest Coastline District – Kannur.
• Shortest Coastline District – Kollam.
• Longest Coastline Taluk – Cherthala.
• A corporation with no coastline – Thrissur.

• Beaches – Kovalam, Varkala, Vizhinjam, Shankumukham (Trivandrum) & Payyambalam (Kannur).

• The longest beach in Kerala – Muzhappilangad Drive-in Beach, Kannur (4km).
• Brackish Water Area – 6250 sq km.
• Backwaters – Alapuzha, Kollam, Veli, Kochi, Kumarakom.
• No. of Rivers – 44.
• East Flowing rivers – 41.
• West Flowing rivers – 3.
• Main Rivers – Periyar, Pamba, Bharathapuzha.
• Lakes – 34.
• Main Lakes – Vembanad, Sasthamcotta, Ashtamudi.
• Islands – Munroe Island, Vypin, Dharmadam Island, Willingdon Island,  Kavvayi, Gundu Island, Valiyaparamba, Ezhumanthuruthu, Pulinkunnu.
• Waterfalls – Athirapally, Meenmutty, Vazhachal & Palaruvi.
• Dams – Idukki, Mullaperiyar, Kakkayam, Idamalayar, Neyyar, Parambikulam.
• National Parks – Eravikulam National park, Periyar National Park, Silent valley, Mathikettan Shola National Park, Anamudi Shola National Park & Pampadum Shola National Park.
• Wildlife Sanctuaries – Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Biosphere Reserves – Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve & Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve.
• Tiger Reserves – Periyar Tiger Reserve & Parambikulam Tiger Reserve.
• Bird Sanctuaries – Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary, Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Pathiramanal Bird Sanctuary, Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary.
• Hill Stations – Munnar, Nelliyampathy.
• Mountain Passes – Palakkad Gap, Thamarassery Churam, Aryankavu Pass, Kambam Pass, Arambadi Pass, Bodi Naickanur Churam, Perambadi Pass.
• Largest pass in Kerala – Palakkad Gap.
• Southern-most pass in Kerala – Aralvaimozhi Pass.

Sports, Arts & Culture

• Classical Dance – Kathakali.

• Folk Dances – Mohiniattam, Theyyam, Thullal.
• UNESCO recognized art forms of Kerala – Kathakali & Koodiyattam.
• Festivals – Onam, Vishu, Christmas & Aluva Shivratri.
• Famous Pilgrimage Centers – Sabarimala, Guruvayoor, Sree Padmanabha Temple, Vaikom Temple.
• Temples – Sabarimala, Guruvayoor, Sree Padmanabha Temple, Vaikom Temple
• Museums – Napier Museum, Pazhassi Museum, Malayalam Literature Museum
• Stadiums – EMS Stadium, Fort Maidan, Rajiv Gandhi International Indoor Stadium, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

Economy

• Most industrialized district – Ernakulam (2nd: Palakkad).
• District with the highest per capita income – Ernakulam.
• District with the lowest per capita income – Malappuram.
• District having most number of small scale industries – Alappuzha
• Main Industries – Coir, Cashew nuts, Handloom & Handicraft, Bamboo, Tourism.
• Mineral Resources – Limonite, Rutile, Kaolin, Limestone.
• Agriculture Products – Rubber, Pepper, Coconut, Tapioca, Paddy, Tea, Ginger, Coffee, Banana, Arecanut & Lemongrass oil.
• Thermal Power Plants – NTPC Kayamkulam, Brahmapuram Diesel Power Plant, Nallalam Diesel Power Station.
• Hydroelectric Power Plants – Idukki, Mattupetty, Sabarigiri, Idamalayar, Pallivasal, Peppara, Malampuzha.
• Seaports – Kochi Port, Vizhinjam International Seaport, Valiyathura, Beypore Port.
• International Airports – 4.
• Trivandrum International Airport, Cochin International Airport, Kannur International Airport, Calicut International Airport.
• The world's first airport that is entirely powered by solar energy – Cochin International Airport
• No. of National Highways – 11.
• No. of National Waterways in Kerala – 1 (National Waterway 3: Kollam-Kottappuram).
• The first Metro Rail of Kerala – Kochi Metro.
• Opened to public on – 17 June 2017.

Other Interesting Facts About Kerala 

Some of the other important facts about Kerala for PSC exam aspirants: 

• Biggest consumer of gold in India.
• Only state in India to have hospitals and banks in every village.
• First Digital State in India (2016).
• First e-literate district in the country – Malappuram.
• India's first tobacco ad-free state.
• India's first Biological Park – Agasthyavanam.
• India's first Defence Industrial Park – Ottapalam.
• India's first DNA barcoding center – Thiruvanthapuram.
• First Child-friendly State in India (2002).
• Indian State that tops the national child rights index.
• First State in India to have an IT Park – Thiruvanthapuram.
• First State in India to complete 100% online electoral enrollment.
• First State in India to have Electronic Voting Machine – North Paravoor (1982).
• First State in India to declare access to internet as a basic human right.
• First State in India to achieve 100% primary education and total literacy rate.
• Total Literacy Rate – 1991 April 18.
• 100% primary education – 2016 January 13 (Hamid Ansari).
• First State in India to introduce digital textbooks in schools.
• First District in India to achieve 100% family planning – Ernakulam.
• First Eco tourism Project in India – Thenmala (Kollam).
• First State in India to build a Gender Park (2016).
• First state to produce bird map.
• First state to form a pollution control authority.
• First state in India to form a dam safety authority.
• First state to introduce water metro project.
• First state to launch mobile food testing lab.
• First state to introduce comprehensive state water policy.
• First state to have 100% inclusion of banking (2007).
• First Indian State where Kudumbasree was formed.
• First Indian state that put an end to the Feudal system.
• First State in India to introduce policy for transgenders.
• First State in India to setup a disaster management authority.
• First State to have road facility that connects with all the villages.
• First State to provide public telephones in all the villages.
• First State to have fully automated telephone exchanges.
• First Indian State to set up speed post facility in every village.
• First State in India to have state-run chit funds – KSFE (1969).
• First South Indian state to have 50% reservation for women in local bodies.
• First Indian state to authorize the use of laptops in the Legislative Assembly.
• First state in India to introduce anti corruption induction training for the Govt officials.
• First State in India to have welfare scheme for NRIs –'Pravasi Kshema Nidhi.' 
• First Indian State to have a separate department for expatriates/NRIs.
•  India’s Oldest Mosque, Church, And Synagogue are located in Kerala.
• First Church in India – St. Thomas Catholic Church, Palayur, Thrissur (52 AD).
• Established by – St. Thomas.
• First Jewish Synagogue in India – Paradesi Synagogue (1568).
• Established by –  Samuel Castiel, David Belila & Joseph Levi.
• First Mosque in India – Cheramaan Juma Mosque Kodungallur, Thrissur (629 AD).
• Established by – Malik Deenar.
• First Indian state to acquire the status of having office of the Chief Minister's Office 24/7.
• First South Indian State in which President's rule was imposed for maximum no. of times – 7.
• ISRO's First Indigenous Titanium Sponge Plant in India –  Kerala Minerals & Metals Ltd (KMML), Chavara.
• The first World Ocean Science Congress held at Kerala – Kochi.
• First State in India to have a state-run National Film Academy – Kerala State Chalachitra Academy (1998).
• First State in India to provide free cancer treatment – 'Sukrutham' (launched by Oommen Chandy).
• First State in India to launch Sex Offender Registry, National Database on Sexual Offenders (NDSO) 
• First Zero landless district in India – Kannur.
• First state to include panchayats and villages under the National Optical Fiber Network Program’s high-speed broadband connections.
• Kerala can also brag on having the world's first democratically elected communist government.
• Unfortunately Kerala is also a state with highest per capita liquor consumption rate and has the highest number of suicide cases in India.

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SideNotes:

• Statutory town is the place with a municipality, corporation, cantonment board, or notified town area.
• The exponent of the tagline ‘Kerala-God’s Own Country’ for Kerala Tourism – Walter Mendez.
• Originally coined by Dr. Vipin Gopal.
• The elephant was declared as our "National heritage animal" in 2010.
• Highest peak in the Western Ghats – Anamudi.
• The Western Ghats –
• 1600 km in length, spans over 6 states (Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Tamilnadu & Kerala), 44 districts, & 142 taluks.
• 13 National parks.
• UNESCO world heritage site on 1 July 2012.
• Gadgil Commission aka Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) & Kasturirangan committee.
• Oommen V. Oommen Committee – Committee appointed by the Kerala government to review Kasturirangan Report.
• Agasthyavanam, the first biological park of Kerala is located in the Western Ghats.
• Autobiography of Madhav Gadgil – A Walk Up the Hill: Living with People and Nature (Malayalam translation: പശ്ചിമഘട്ടം ഒരു പ്രണയകഥ).
• Anamudi – Munnar (Eravikulam National Park), Devikulam Taluk, Idukki.
• Union Territory with highest Female to Male ratio in India – Pondicherry.
• The district in Kerala which receives least amount of rainfall – Thiruvananthapuram.
• The taluk in Kerala where Black Soil is found – Chittur.