Cuddapah district is officially renamed as YSR Kadapa district in the honour of Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy who served as the former chief minister of Andhra Pradesh. It is a district of Andhra Pradesh state with its administrative headquarters located at Cuddapah city. After the Bhimbetika rock art paintings, Paleolithic rock paintings found at Chintakunta caves located near to the Muddanuru in the district are believed to be the second largest cluster of rock paintings in India. At that time the rock paintings are very prominent since the rock paintings with some mystic figures are also available at Dappalle village near Mailavaram Dam in Jammalamadugu taluk of the district. During the era of BC, Kadapa was a historically significant area. The place was ruled by the Mouryans and Sathavahanas for a long period of time. Long years back the religion, Buddhism have developed in the place on the Banks of rivers, Cheyyeru and Penna. The history of the district has also some evidences of the fact that Jainism had a sufficient amount of patronage in the district. The medieval history of the district reveals that Nizam ceded this part of the area to the British. As per the modern history of the district, after the Treaty of Seringapatam nizam captured this region and ceded it to British in the year 1800. In the year 1808 during the period of British rule, they created the present day’s Kadapa district and declared its headquarter at Sidhout. In the year 1812 district headquarters was shifted to Kadapa.

Bommi reddy Narasimha Reddy, an illustrious Indian film director and an early figure in the Telugu cinema was born on 16^th November, 1908 at Kadapa in the district. He was the first person to receive the prestigious 'Dada Saheb Phalke Award' from the South India.

Geographically, the district lies at 14°47'N latitude, 78°82'E longitude and 762 m Altitude. In the year 2021, there was a total 28.49% forest area of total geographical area. The district encompasses a geographical area of 15,359 sq. km. and it is bounded by Kurnool district and Prakasam district on the North, Chittoor district on the South, Nellore district on the East and Anantapur district on the West. During the summer season, its climate remains extremely hot and humid. Most of its rainfall occurs in the monsoon season. The actual rainfall in the district was 1292.3 mm in the year of 2021-22.

Administration wise, the district is divided into 3 revenue divisions namely Kadapa, Rajampeta and Jammalamadugu. Moreover, it comprises 51 sub-districts, 18 towns and 919 villages. The administrative language in the district is Telugu.

According to 2011 census the district has a population of 28,82,469 out of which 14,51,777 are males and 14,30,692 are females. The district has a sex ratio of 985 (females for every 1000 males). In the year 2001-2011 the population growth rate in the district was 10.79% including 10.14% were males and 11.45% were females. As per 2011 census the major religion in the district is Hindu with 82.96% of the total population. The population density in the district is 188 persons per sq. km. As per 2011 census the principal languages in the district are Telugu and Urdu with 84.18% and 14.81%. In the year 2020 the number of live births in the district was 52,744 out of which 27,880 were males and 24,864 were females. In the same year the number of deaths in the district was 23,314 out of which 14,421 were males and 8,893 were females.

Agriculture is the backbone of the economy of the district. The black erosion soil lands in the district are very fertile and suitable from the angle from the agricultural point of view. More than half of its rural population are engaged in agriculture in order to earn their livelihood. The chief agricultural products in the district are paddy, groundnut, red gram, cotton, bengal gram, papaya, mango, citrus, banana, melons, turmeric, onion, chilli, coriander, vegetables, chrysanthemum, etc. Every year a huge chunk of revenue comes from the agricultural products in the district helps in its economy to a great extent. The district is rich in valuable mineral resources as well. Further more, the district is industrially well developed also. Some of the foremost industries in the district are Zuari Cements, India Cement Ltd, Bharati Cements, Dalmia Bharat Cements, Govinda raja Textiles, Samyu Glass, Bharati Polymers, Sajala woven shocks, Corus India Ltd, etc. In 2006 the Indian government declared Kadapa district as one of the country's 250 most backward districts and currently receiving funds from the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme (BRGF). In the year 2020-21 the gross domestic product in the district was Rs. 49,10,400 lakh at current price and Rs. 30,84,100 lakh at constant prices in the year 2011-2012. The net domestic product in the district during the period 2020-21 was Rs. 44,46,100 lakh at current price and Rs. 27,29,300 lakh at constant prices in the year 2011-2012. The Per Capita Income or NDDP, At Factor Cost during the period 2020-21 was Rs. 1,47,213 at current price and Rs. 90,367 at constant prices in the year 2011-2012.

The district is well known as an abode of several reputed educational institutions. It provides a platform for higher education. Some of its most recognised educational institutions are Yogi Vemana University, KSRM College of Engineering, RIMS College of Dentals and Govt. Hospitals, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary College at Proddatur, Yogi vemana Engineering College at Proddatur, etc. As per 2011 census the literacy rate in the district is 67.3% including 77.78% are males and 56.77% are females. The total number of literates in the district is 17,16,766 including 9,94,699 are males and 7,22,067 are females.

Yeduguri Sandinti Rajasekhara Reddy, a veteran Indian politician and the 14^th Chief Minister of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh was born on 8^th July, 1949 at Pulivendula in the district. He was a member of the Indian National Congress.

The district has several centres of attraction which allures many travellers from different parts of the country as well as world. Vontimitta, a place located in the Korajampet taluk of the district is famous for the temple called Sri Kodandarama Swamy temple, dedicated to Lord Rama. It is said to be one of the largest temples in the region which is also a model of the Vijayanagara architectural style, dated to the 16^th century. Sri Lankamalleswara Wildlife Sanctuary, a renowned wildlife sanctuary is situated at the headquartered city of Kadapa which has an endangered species called the Jerdon's courser. Nandalur is popular for the Sri Soumyanatha Swamy temple and an ancient Buddhist site is also located on a small hill near Nandalur called Lanja Kanuma Gutta. Pilgrims from far off places come to this temple in order to offer their prayers. Some other not able places of interest in the district are Rayachoty, Tallapaka, Gandikota, Bramham Gari Matham, Ameen Peer Dargah an many more.