Prakasam district

Prakasam district
District of Andhra Pradesh
Clockwise from top-left: Ongolu breed of cattle, Beach in Pakala
Location of Prakasam district in Andhra Pradesh
Interactive map of Prakasam district
Coordinates (Ongolu): 15°30′N 80°03′E / 15.500°N 80.050°E / 15.500; 80.050
Country India
StateAndhra Pradesh
RegionCoastal Andhra
Established2 February 1970
1st Reorganized4 April 2022
2nd Reorganized31 December 2025
Named afterTanguturi Prakasam
HeadquartersOngolu
Mandalas27
Government
 • CollectorP.Raja babu, IAS[3]
 • Superintendent of PoliceV.Harshavardhan Raju, IPS
 • Parliament constituenciesOngolu, Bapatla, Nellore
 • Assembly constituencies06
Area
[1]
 • Total
14,322 km2 (5,530 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)[2][1]
 • Total
2,288,026
 • Density159.76/km2 (413.77/sq mi)
 • Urban
19.44%
Vehicle registrationAP-27 (former)
AP–39 (from 30 January 2019)[4]
Major highwaysNH-16
Websiteprakasam.ap.gov.in

Prakasam district named in honour of Tanguturi Prakasam is in the coastal Andhra region of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It was reorganised on 4 April 2022 and 31 December 2025. The headquarters of the district is Ongole. It is bounded by Bapatla, Palnadu, Markapuram, Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore districts and Bay of Bengal.

Etymology

The district was named after Tanguturi Prakasam, also known as 'Andhra Kesari', an Indian freedom fighter who served as the first chief minister of Andhra State, who was born in the village of Vinodarayunipalem. It was accordingly renamed as Prakasam District in 1972.[5]

History

Prakasam district was originally constituted on 2 February 1970, carved out of Guntur, Nellore and Kurnool districts of Andhra Pradesh.[6] It was carved out of three taluks of Guntur district, i.e. Addanki, Chirala, and Ongole, four taluks of Nellore district, i.e. Kandukur, Kanigiri, Darsi and Podili and three taluks of Kurnool district i.e. Markapur, Yarragondapalem and Giddaluru. It is one of the nine districts in the Coastal Andhra region of undivided Andhra Pradesh. It was restructured in 2022, where few mandals were merged into Bapatla district and SPSR Nellore district, some of which were restored in the restructure effected on 31 December 2025. In the second restructure Markapuram district was carved out.[7][8]

Naxalite activity in Prakasam district used to be high during 2000s.[9]

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1901975,037—    
19111,068,743+0.92%
19211,117,701+0.45%
19311,205,223+0.76%
19411,343,883+1.09%
19511,463,737+0.86%
19611,671,726+1.34%
19711,919,995+1.39%
19812,329,571+1.95%
19912,759,166+1.71%
20013,059,423+1.04%
20113,397,448+1.05%
source:[10]

Geography

Prakasam district following 2022 district restructure occupied an area of 14,322 square kilometres (5,530 sq mi).[11][12] After 2025 district reorganisation, it is bounded by Markapuram district in the west, SPSR Nellore district in the south west, Palnadu in the north, Bapatla district in the north east, and Bay of Bengal in the south.

The district has 50 kilometres of coastline. Kothapatnam of Kothapatnam Mandal and Pakala of Singarayakonda Mandal are prominent beaches. Gundlakamma, Musi and Paleru are the major rivers in the district. Smaller rivers such as the Thammileru, Sagileru and Gudisileru and streams like Ogeruvagu, Nallavagu and Vedimangala Vagu also flow in the district.[13]

Climate

Before the district restructure effective on 30th December 2025, the district has a moderate climate in the coastal areas and a hot climate in the non-coastal areas. The normal maximum and minimum temperatures recorded in the district are 40.20 C and 20.30 C respectively. The maximum temperature is usually recorded in the months of April - June. The district receives its rainfall mostly from South West and North-East monsoon. The normal rainfall is 366.2 mm and 384.7 mm respectively.[1]

Flora and Fauna

Orchids, casuarinas and cashew plantations are common in the coastal areas.[1]

Irrigation

Nagarjuna Sagar Project and Krishna Western Delta are major irrigation projects. Mopadu Reservoir, Paleru-Bitragunta Anicut, and Cumbum Tank are major sources of medium irrigation.[1]

Mineral resources

Chimakurthi is known for its granite reserves.The minerals found in the district are Baryte, iron ore, quartz, and silica sand.[14]

Demographics

Based on 2011 census of India, the undivided district before 2022 had a population of 3,397,448 with a density of 193 persons per sq.km. The total population constitute 17,14,764 males and 16,82,684 females –a ratio of 981 females per 1000 males. The total urban population is 664,582 (19.56%).[15]: 20  There are 19,04,435 literates with a literacy rate of 63.08%.[15]: 21  The district had a sex ratio of 971 females per 1000 males. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes make up 537,159 (23.48%) and 88,209 (3.86%) of the population respectively.[2]: 77–81 

Based on 2011 census numbers updated for restructure in 2022, the district had a population of 22,88,026, of which 444,865 (19.44%) lived in urban areas. 93.88% of the population spoke Telugu and 5.05% Urdu as their first language in the undivided district.[16] Hinduism is the major religion.

Languages of Prakasam district (2011), updated for 2022 restructure[16]
  1. Telugu (93.9%)
  2. Urdu (5.05%)
  3. Others (1.07%)
Religions in Prakasam district (2011), updated for 2022 restructure[17]
Religion Percent
Hinduism
 
 92.96%
Islam
 
 6.30%
Christianity
 
 0.52%
Other or not stated
 
 0.22%
Distribution of religions

Economy

The Gross district domestic product (GDDP) of the undivided district is ₹35,962 crore (US$4.3 billion) and it contributes 6.9% to the Gross state domestic product (GSDP). For the FY 2013–14, the per capita income at current prices was ₹85,765 (US$1,000). The primary, secondary and tertiary sectors of the district contribute ₹12,875 crore (US$1.5 billion), ₹7,897 crore (US$930 million) and ₹15,190 crore (US$1.8 billion), respectively.[18] The major products contributing to the GVA of the district from agriculture and allied services are, tobacco, paddy, chillies, batavia, milk, meat and fisheries. The GVA to the industrial and service sector is contributed from construction, minor minerals, unorganised trade and ownership of dwellings.[18]

Industries

The district has many service industries such as industrial testing, electrical appliance repair, clinical laboratories, servicing of computer hardware, tourism, and hospitality. Major exports from the district include seafood, processed tobacco, granite blocks, granite monuments and yarn.[19] There are many industries of food and agriculture, mineral, chemical, leather, plastic and rubber, engineering, cotton and textiles, electronic products. All these industries deal with prawn and fish processing and canning, dairy products, the granite industry, pharmaceuticals, tanning, fishing nets, surgical cotton, etc. Forest-based industries produce Ayurvedic medicines, essential oil (Palm Rose Oil), wooden furniture, wooden toys, bamboo products, etc.[14]

Mining

The district leads in granite mining in the state. Galaxy Granite is found in the Chimakurthy area of the district.[14]

Politics

Parliament constitutencies

The district is part of Ongole, Bapatla, and Nellore Lok Sabha constituencies.[20]

Assembly segments

Assembly segments[20]
Constituency number Name Reserved for
(SC/ST/None) 		Parliament
103 Darsi None Ongole
105 Addanki None Bapatla
107 Santhanuthalapadu SC
108 Ongole None Ongole
109 Kandukur None Nellore
110 Kondapi SC Ongole

Administrative divisions

See also: List of mandals in Andhra Pradesh and List of revenue divisions in Andhra Pradesh

The district comprises three revenue divisions viz.,Addanki, Kandukur and Ongole. There are a total of 27 mandals, with 10 in Addanki division, 7 in Kandukur division, and 11 in Ongole division.[8] Urban administrative divisions of Panchayatraj include Ongole (Municipal Corporation), Addanki (Municipality), Kandukur (Municipality) and 2 Nagar panchayats for Chimakurthy and Darsi.[21] The rural administrative divisions of Panchayatraj include 715 Gram Panchayats. There are about 769 Inhabited Revenue villages in the district.[1]

Mandals

Mandals of Prakasam district (Overpass-turbo)


The list of 28 mandals in Prakasam district under three revenue divisions are listed in the following table:

  1. Addanki revenue division
    1. Addanki
    2. Ballikurava
    3. Darsi
    4. Donakonda
    5. J. Panguluru
    6. Korisapadu
    7. Kurichedu
    8. Mundlamuru
    9. Santhamaguluru
    10. Thallur
  2. Kandukur revenue division
    1. Gudluru
    2. Kandukur
    3. Lingasamudram
    4. Marripudi
    5. Ponnaluru
    6. Ulavapadu
    7. Voletivaripalem
  3. Ongole revenue division
    1. Chimakurthy
    2. Kondapi
    3. Kothapatnam
    4. Maddipadu
    5. Naguluppalapadu
    6. Ongole Rural
    7. Ongole Urban
    8. Santhanuthalapadu
    9. Singarayakonda
    10. Tanguturu
    11. Zarugumalli

Cities and Towns

Cities and towns in Prakasam District[21]
Ciy/Town Civil status Revenue Division Population (2011)
Ongole Municipal corporation Ongole 2,08,344
Addanki Municipality Addanki 60,022
Darsi Municipality Addanki 33,418
Kandukur Municipality Kandukur 57,315
Chimakurthy Nagara Panchayathi Ongole 30,279

Transport

The total road length of state highways in the undivided district is 1,184 km (736 mi).[22] The district is well connected by national highways, state highways and district roads as well. The NH 16 passes through Ongole which is the major highway connecting the cities of Howrah and Chennai, a part of Asian Highway Network AH45.

The district has a rail network of 406 km (252 mi). The entire rail network is under the South Central Railway zone. Ongole is one of the main stations of this district and most of the stations are under Vijayawada railway division.


Education

The primary and secondary school education is imparted by government, aided and private schools, under the state's School Education Department.[23][24] As per the school information report for the academic year 2015–16, there are a total of 4,311 schools. They include, 33 government, 2,949 mandal and zilla parishads, 1 residential, 1079 private, 10 model, 37 Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV), 50 municipal and 152 other types of schools.[25] The total number of students enrolled in primary, upper primary and high schools of the district are 562,510.[26] The total number of students enrolled in primary, upper primary and high schools of the district are 461,065.[26]

Rajeev Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies, Ongole campus is at Santhanuthalapadu.[27] Andhra Kesari University was approved in 2021.[28]

Tourism

Prasannanjaneya swamy temple at Singarakonda near Addanki is a popular pilgrimage center. This temple was said to be constructed in the 15th century by Vijayanagara king Devarayalu.[29] Mahasivaratri is celebrated in a grand manner at Ganga Bhramarambha Sameta Malleswara Swamy temple, Manikeswaram[30][31]

Some notable people

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f CPO 2022, p. III.
  2. ^ a b "District Census Hand Book – Prakasam" (PDF). Census of India. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.
  3. ^ "Days after assuming office, Jagan rejigs administration in AP". Asian News International. 5 June 2019. Archived from the original on 1 February 2021. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  4. ^ "New 'AP 39' code to register vehicles in Andhra Pradesh launched". The New Indian Express. Vijayawada. 31 January 2019. Archived from the original on 21 November 2020. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
  5. ^ "District info" (PDF). apind.gov.in. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 December 2013. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
  6. ^ Law, Gwillim (25 September 2011). "Districts of India". Statoids. Archived from the original on 20 March 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2011.
  7. ^ "A.P. Cabinet clears district reorganisation, mandal realignment". The Hindu. 29 December 2025.
  8. ^ a b "Andhra News:కొత్త జిల్లాలు పోలవరం, మార్కాపురం". Eenadu (in Telugu). 30 December 2025. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
  9. ^ "Deadly arsenal". Outlook India. 3 February 2022.
  10. ^ Decadal Variation In Population Since 1901
  11. ^ "Prakasam dist". AP state portal. Archived from the original on 15 February 2016. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
  12. ^ CPO 2022, p. 1.
  13. ^ CPO 2022, p. 2.
  14. ^ a b c "Geology and Mineral Resources of Prakasam District". Department of mines and geology, Andhra Pradesh. Retrieved 16 June 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  15. ^ a b "District Census Handbook – Prakasam" (PDF). Census of India. pp. 16–17, 48. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
  16. ^ a b "Table C-16 Population by Mother Tongue: Andhra Pradesh". Census of India. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.
  17. ^ "Population by Religion - Andhra Pradesh". censusindia.gov.in. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. 2011.
  18. ^ a b "Economy of Prakasam District". Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board. Retrieved 25 April 2017.
  19. ^ "Brief Industrial Profile of Prakasam District" (PDF). Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, Government of India. Development Commissioner (MSME). Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 August 2013. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
  20. ^ a b "Delimitation of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies Order, 2008" (PDF). The Election Commission of India. p. 31.
  21. ^ a b CPO 2022, p. 5.
  22. ^ "Existing State Highways" (PDF). Andhra Pradesh Road Development Corporation. Government of Andhra Pradesh. p. 1. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 September 2018. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
  23. ^ "School Education Department" (PDF). School Education Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 December 2015. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
  24. ^ "The Department of School Education – Official AP State Government Portal". www.ap.gov.in. Archived from the original on 13 April 2017. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
  25. ^ "School Information Report". Commissionerate of School Education. Government of Andhra Pradesh. Archived from the original on 8 November 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  26. ^ a b "Student Information Report". Commissionerate of School Education. Child info 2015–16, District School Education – Andhra Pradesh. Archived from the original on 22 May 2015. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  27. ^ "RGUKT Ongole". RGUKT Ongole. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  28. ^ "Prakasam to realise dream of university after 50-year wait". The Hans India. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  29. ^ "Devotees make a beeline for Singarakonda for temple fete". The Hindu. 24 March 2016. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  30. ^ "Siva temples gear up for the festival". The Hindu. 17 February 2015. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  31. ^ AP Tourism E-Brochure Bapatla district (PDF). 2023.

Books

CPO (2022). District Handbook of Statistics -2020 (Updated for district reorganisation in 2022) (PDF). Ongole.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)

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