Social Science – Short Notes for Karnataka KREIS Exam 2026
For Karnataka KREIS Exam 2026, Social Science preparation should mainly cover History, Geography, Indian Polity, Economics, Society, Culture and Current Social Issues.
1. History
Ancient Indian History
Indus Valley Civilization: famous for planned cities, drainage systems, trade and town planning.
Important sites: Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, Lothal, Dholavira.
Vedic Period: development of Vedic literature, agriculture and early political institutions.
Buddhism: founded by Gautama Buddha.
Jainism: strongly associated with Mahavira.
Mauryan Empire: founded by Chandragupta Maurya.
Ashoka promoted Dhamma after the Kalinga War.
Gupta Period: often associated with major developments in science, mathematics, literature and art.
Medieval Indian History
Delhi Sultanate: included dynasties such as Slave, Khalji, Tughlaq, Sayyid and Lodi.
Mughal Empire: founded by Babur after the First Battle of Panipat in 1526.
Akbar: known for administrative reforms and policies of religious tolerance.
Bhakti Movement: emphasized devotion and spiritual equality.
Sufi Movement: emphasized love, devotion and spiritual harmony.
Modern Indian History
Important topics:
Arrival and expansion of British power
Revolt of 1857
Formation of the Indian National Congress in 1885
Swadeshi Movement
Non-Cooperation Movement
Civil Disobedience Movement
Quit India Movement
Indian Independence in 1947
Constitution came into force on 26 January 1950
2. Karnataka History
Important areas for KREIS:
Kadambas
Chalukyas of Badami
Rashtrakutas
Hoysalas
Vijayanagara Empire
Bahmani Kingdom
Wodeyars of Mysore
Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan
British rule in Karnataka
Karnataka’s role in the Indian freedom movement
Unification of Karnataka
Vijayanagara Empire
Founded by Harihara and Bukka.
Hampi was the important capital.
Krishnadevaraya was one of its most famous rulers.
Vijayanagara was an important centre of trade, culture, architecture and literature.
3. Indian Geography
Important topics:
Earth and Solar System
Latitude and Longitude
Continents and Oceans
Physical divisions of India
Himalayan Mountains
Northern Plains
Peninsular Plateau
Indian Desert
Coastal Plains and Islands
Rivers of India
Indian Climate and Monsoon
Soil types
Agriculture
Minerals and Natural Resources
Industries
Population and Migration
Important Facts
India is the 7th-largest country in the world by area.
The Tropic of Cancer passes through India.
India has a predominantly monsoon climate.
The Himalayas influence India’s climate and river systems.
4. Karnataka Geography
Major Physical Regions
Coastal Karnataka
Malnad
Northern Karnataka Plateau
Southern Karnataka Plateau
Important Rivers
Kaveri
Krishna
Tungabhadra
Bhima
Sharavathi
Ghataprabha
Malaprabha
Important Crops
Ragi
Rice
Maize
Sugarcane
Cotton
Coffee
Arecanut
Groundnut
Important Resources
Karnataka is known for:
Iron ore
Manganese
Gold
Limestone
Forest resources
5. Indian Polity and Constitution
Constitution
The Constitution is the supreme law of India.
It was adopted on 26 November 1949.
It came into force on 26 January 1950.
Fundamental Rights
The Constitution provides Fundamental Rights such as:
Right to Equality
Right to Freedom
Right against Exploitation
Right to Freedom of Religion
Cultural and Educational Rights
Right to Constitutional Remedies
Directive Principles
Directive Principles guide the government in establishing social and economic justice.
Fundamental Duties
Citizens have constitutional duties such as respecting the Constitution, protecting the environment and promoting harmony.
6. Indian Government
India follows a parliamentary democratic system.
Union Government
Main institutions:
President
Prime Minister
Council of Ministers
Parliament
Supreme Court
Parliament
It consists of:
Lok Sabha
Rajya Sabha
Judiciary
Three broad levels:
Supreme Court
High Courts
Subordinate Courts
7. State Government
Important institutions:
Governor
Chief Minister
State Council of Ministers
Legislative Assembly
High Court
The Chief Minister is the head of the elected state government.
8. Local Self-Government
Rural Local Government
Three-tier Panchayati Raj system:
Gram Panchayat → Taluk/Block Panchayat → Zilla Panchayat
Urban Local Government
Municipal Corporation
Municipal Council
Town Panchayat
Local self-government promotes people’s participation in administration and development.
9. Indian Economy
Basic Economic Activities
Agriculture
Industry
Services
Primary Sector
Uses natural resources directly:
Agriculture
Fishing
Forestry
Mining
Secondary Sector
Converts raw materials into finished goods:
Manufacturing
Construction
Tertiary Sector
Provides services:
Banking
Transport
Education
Healthcare
Communication
Tourism
10. Important Economic Concepts
GDP: value of final goods and services produced within a country’s borders during a given period.
Per Capita Income: average income per person.
Inflation: sustained rise in the general price level.
Unemployment: situation where people willing and able to work cannot find suitable employment.
Poverty: lack of adequate resources to meet basic needs.
11. Society and Social Issues
Important topics:
Population growth
Literacy
Gender equality
Child rights
Women empowerment
Poverty
Unemployment
Migration
Urbanisation
Social justice
Education
Health and sanitation
Social Equality
Social equality means providing people with equal dignity, opportunities and rights without discrimination.
12. Indian Culture
Important areas:
Indian languages and literature
Classical dances
Folk dances
Music
Festivals
Architecture
Paintings
Handicrafts
Religious and cultural diversity
Karnataka Culture
Important topics:
Yakshagana
Dollu Kunitha
Mysore Dasara
Kannada literature
Hampi architecture
Mysore painting
Karnataka folk traditions
13. Environment and Sustainable Development
Important topics:
Ecosystem
Biodiversity
Forest conservation
Water conservation
Soil conservation
Pollution
Climate change
Global warming
Renewable energy
Sustainable development
Sustainable development means meeting present needs while protecting the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
14. Important Social Science One-Liners
Founder of Mauryan Empire → Chandragupta Maurya
Founder of Mughal Empire → Babur
Founder-associated figures of Vijayanagara Empire → Harihara and Bukka
Capital of Vijayanagara Empire → Hampi
Indian National Congress founded → 1885
Indian Independence → 15 August 1947
Constitution adopted → 26 November 1949
Constitution came into force → 26 January 1950
Lower House of Parliament → Lok Sabha
Upper House of Parliament → Rajya Sabha
Constitutional head of India → President
Head of Union Government → Prime Minister
Head of State Government → Chief Minister
Supreme judicial body → Supreme Court
Basic unit of rural local government → Gram Panchayat
Three-tier Panchayati Raj → Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti/Taluk Panchayat, Zilla Parishad
Primary sector → Agriculture and allied activities
Secondary sector → Manufacturing and construction
Tertiary sector → Services
KREIS 2026 – High-Priority Topics
History: Ancient India, Medieval India, Modern India, Freedom Movement, Karnataka History, Vijayanagara Empire
Geography: India & Karnataka Geography, Rivers, Climate, Soil, Agriculture, Minerals, Resources, Population
Polity: Constitution, Fundamental Rights, Fundamental Duties, Parliament, Judiciary, Union & State Government, Panchayati Raj
Economics: Agriculture, Industries, Banking, GDP, Poverty, Unemployment, Inflation, Primary/Secondary/Tertiary sectors
Society & Culture: Social reform, Women & Child Development, Education, Health, Karnataka Culture, Festivals, Art and Literature
Environment: Ecosystem, Biodiversity, Pollution, Climate Change, Conservation and Sustainable Development