Kadapa District, officially known as YSR Kadapa District is one of the twenty six districts in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. In the 2022 reorganisation of Andhra Pradesh districts, the district boundary was largely restricted to the Kadapa parliamentary constituency area. It is one of the eight districts in the Rayalaseema region. Kadapa is the administrative headquarters for this district. After the rejoining of Rajampeta Revenue Division into the district in 2025, now the district has two parliamentary constituencies namely Rajampeta Parliamentary Constituency and Kadapa Parliamentary Constituency. The district has one collectrate (Kadapa) and one sub-collectrate (Rajampeta).
Barytes, limestone, asbestos, and uranium are major mineral resources of the district. The district is home to many religious and historic places of interest. Kodandarama Temple at Vontimitta, Sowyanadhaswami Temple at Nandalur, Attirala Sri Parasurama Swamy Temple at Rajampeta, Chennakesava Temple of Pushpagiri, Siddavatam Fort, and Gandikota Gorge are some of the famous sites located here.
Thallapaka Annamacharya, a 15th century composer and singer hailed from this district.
Etymology
The historical records of the district reveal that Kadapa was previously called Gadapa which translates to "threshold" in Telugu. The ancient village of Kadapa, with its large tank and the temple of Lord Venkateswara at Devuni Kadapa, served as a convenient camping place for the myriads of pilgrims travelling to the holy shrine of Tirupati. On 19 August 2005, the nomenclature of "Cuddapah" was changed to "Kadapa" by the Government of Andhra Pradesh. In 2010, it was renamed as YSR district in honour of Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, the former chief minister of erstwhile Andhra Pradesh. In 2025, amid representations for the inclusion of Kadapa in the district's name, the government renamed it as YSR Kadapa district.
History
This region was part of Maurya Empire, Satavahana dynasty, Chola dynasty, Pallava dynasty, Pandya dynasty, Bana kingdom, Rashtrakuta dynasty, Kakatiya dynasty, Vijayanagara Empire, Maratha Empire, kingdom of Mysore and Carnatic Sultanate during the course of its history upto medieval period. Later on it was ruled as part of British East India company.
Prehistory
Many paleolithic sites were found in Kadapa district, as the surroundings of Jammalamadugu, Mailavaram Dam and Gandikota. Some megalithic burial sites were explored near Porumamilla, Sankhavaram and at Yellatur village near Kadapa. The surroundings of Vontimitta are also noted as Megalithic cultural sites.
Paleolithic rock paintings found at Chintakunta caves near Muddanur in Kadapa district are said to be the second largest group of paintings in India after Bhimbetika rock art paintings. The rock paintings with mystic figures are also found at Dappalle village near Mylavaram Dam in Jammalamadugu Taluk of the district.
This region was ruled by the Mauryan Empire and the Satavahana Empire (Andhras). Buddhism flourished for many years along the banks of the rivers Cheyyeru and Penna. Jainism also had a place in Kadapa district history; the remnants of a buried Jain temple were found at Danavulapadu village on the banks of the Penna.
Medieval history
In the later half of 13th Century, this region was ruled from Vallur by Ambadeva. During his rule, the land survey was carried out. Subsequently, a Kakatiya King
Pratapa rudra ruled the district with Warangal as the capital. Jyothi village located in Siddavatam mandal has 108 Shiva lingas on the bank of the river Penna which are dated to the rule of Kakatiyas.
In A.D.1309, Allah-ud-din Khilji defeated PratapaRudra and took over the region. In 1344, the confederation of Hindu kings overthrew the Muslim rule. This led to the formation of Vijayanagar Empire, who ruled the area for two centuries. Gandikota fort located on the bank of the Penna river was the citadel of Pemmasani Nayaks, commanders of Vijayanagar army. After the fall of Vijayanagar kingdom, this region came under the rule of Qutub shahis, who later became part of Mughal empire.
As part of Qutub Shahi rule, Riza Quli Beg under the title of Neknam Khan and his successors ruled the region with certain degree of autonomy. Later Abdul Nabi Khan was appointed as the governor of the district in the year 1714. The Marathas invaded and defeated the nawabs of Kurnool and Kadapa in 1740. Hyder Ali took over Gurramkonda and Kadapa from Marathas in 1760. He appointed his brother-in-law Mir Saheb in Kadapa district. Thus Mir Saheb became son first ruler of the district. This region was transferred to Nizam by the treaties of Mysore and Srirangapatnam.
Modern history
Nizam of Hyderabad ceded it to the British in 1800, and in 1808 it was divided to form Kadapa (spelt Cuddapah by the British) and Bellary districts. Munro was appointed as principal Collector over the ceded districts. Munro subjugated over 80 Palegars, instituted revenue collection system through which he secured the finances. The district headquarters were situated in Siddavatam but moved to Kadapa in 1812. On 4 April 2022, Annamayya district was formed from the parts of erstwhile YSR Kadapa district and others.
Demographics
As of 2011 census, Kadapa district has a population of 2,884,524. This gives it a ranking of 132 in India (out of a total of 640). The district has a population density of 188 inhabitants per square kilometre (490/sq mi) . Its population growth rate over the decade 2001–2011 was 10.87%. It has a sex ratio of 984 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 67.88%.
Economy
The Gross District Domestic Product (GDDP) of the district for FY 2013-14 is ₹26,342 crore (US$2.8 billion) and contributes 5% to the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). For the FY 2013–14, the per capita income at current prices was ₹70,821 (US$750). The primary, secondary and tertiary sectors of the district contribute ₹6,204 crore (US$660 million), ₹6,935 crore (US$730 millio
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