Last reviewed 4 Nov 2026 · Facts as of 4 Nov 2026 · 3 min read
Office-holders (Governor, Chief Minister, Chief Justice) change — this note gives the institutions. Check the current names before the exam.
1. The legislature
| Body | Members | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vidhana Sabha (Legislative Assembly) | 224 elected | Majority = 113; term 5 years |
| Vidhana Parishat (Legislative Council) | 75 | Karnataka is one of the few states with a bicameral legislature; members elected by MLAs, local bodies, graduates and teachers, plus nominees |
- In Parliament Karnataka has 28 Lok Sabha and 12 Rajya Sabha seats.
- Vidhana Soudha, Bengaluru (completed 1956, under CM Kengal Hanumanthaiah) houses the legislature and the secretariat.
- Suvarna Vidhana Soudha, Belagavi (opened 2012) — the winter session is held here to give north Karnataka a seat of government.
2. The executive
- Governor — appointed by the President; constitutional head; residence Raj Bhavan, Bengaluru.
- Chief Minister and Council of Ministers — responsible to the Vidhana Sabha.
- Chief Secretary heads the state administration from the Vidhana Soudha / Multi-storeyed Building / Vikasa Soudha secretariat.
3. The judiciary
- High Court of Karnataka, Bengaluru — sits in the red Attara Kacheri building opposite the Vidhana Soudha.
- Permanent benches at Dharwad and Kalaburagi (circuit benches from 2008, permanent from 2013).
4. Field administration
| Level | Head |
|---|---|
| Revenue division — Bengaluru, Mysuru, Belagavi, Kalaburagi (four) | Regional Commissioner |
| District | Deputy Commissioner (DC) — also District Magistrate |
| Sub-division | Assistant Commissioner |
| Taluk | Tahsildar |
| Hobli | Revenue Inspector |
| Village | Village Administrative Officer (VAO) |
- The Zilla Panchayat (development) is headed by a Chief Executive Officer (usually an IAS officer) — see Local Governance.