The Karunya KR-690 lottery draw on January 25, 2025, turned a quiet afternoon in Kottayam into a moment of life-changing luck. The winning ticket, KF 162254, was sold by agent Dineshan Thaiyyil Damodaran of Agency No. K 8178 — a small shop tucked between a bakery and a hardware store — and now carries an ₹80,00,000 prize. That’s not just money. It’s a mortgage cleared, a child’s education secured, a dream restarted. The draw, held at 3:00 PM IST at Gorky Bhavan near Bakery Junction in Thiruvananthapuram, was as routine as ever — but the ripple effects? Far from ordinary.
How the Numbers Played Out
A total of 252,715 prizes, worth ₹24,33,79,000, were handed out to 397,454 winners across Kerala’s 14 districts. The second prize of ₹5,00,000 went to ticket KG 284532, sold in Neyyattinkara by Nayana L of Agency No. T 8343. Twelve third-prize winners, each taking home ₹1,00,000, emerged from districts as varied as Thrissur, Malappuram, and Kasaragod. The distribution wasn’t random — it followed the same 12-series pattern (KA through KM) that’s been used since the lottery’s inception. Each ticket, priced at ₹50 (₹39.06 face value plus 28% GST), carries a shot at glory.But here’s the twist: the consolation prizes. Eleven tickets — KA 162254, KB 162254, KC 162254, and so on — each won ₹8,000 simply because they matched the first prize number’s last four digits. That’s not a glitch. It’s by design. The Kerala State Lotteries Department uses this system to keep the game exciting. People don’t just buy one ticket hoping for the jackpot. They buy multiples, chasing the ghost of the big number.
Agents: The Hidden Winners
Behind every big win is a local agent. And they don’t just collect commissions — they become local legends. For the first three prizes, 10% of the winnings are automatically paid to the agent who sold the ticket. That means Dineshan Thaiyyil Damodaran walks away with ₹8,00,000 — nearly as much as a district collector’s annual bonus. In Kottayam, his shop is already seeing a line out the door. “People come in asking, ‘Is this the same agency?’” said a local shopkeeper. “They don’t just believe in luck. They believe in the agent.”The system works because it ties economic incentive to community trust. These aren’t faceless corporations. They’re neighbors, cousins, uncles who’ve been selling tickets for decades. The Kerala State Lotteries Department, under the Government of Kerala, has turned this into a quiet social safety net. In districts like Thrissur and Palakkad, where 222 and 207 first-prize winners have emerged since 2020, respectively, the lottery isn’t just gambling — it’s economic hope.
Claims, Cutoffs, and the Gazette
Winners aren’t handed cash on the spot. They must claim within 30 days — a rule that’s been strictly enforced since 1967, when the first Kerala lottery was drawn. The official record? The Kerala Government Gazette. Not the website. Not the TV news. The Gazette. “We’ve had people come in with screenshots,” said a department official. “But unless it’s printed and stamped, it’s not valid.”The fifth prize of ₹2,000 went to tickets ending in 0139, 0353, 1027, 2205, 2499, 3638, 3647, 6879, 7133, and 7818. The sixth prize of ₹1,000 covered 22 different endings — from 1990 to 3571. These aren’t just numbers. They’re stories. A schoolteacher in Kattappana who bought a ticket on a whim. A fisherman in Kasaragod who saved ₹50 for three weeks. A grandmother in Thiruvananthapuram who plays every week for her grandkids’ future.
What’s Next for Kerala’s Lottery?
With over 108 lakh tickets printed daily, the Karunya series is the state’s most popular. The department claims it funds welfare schemes — schools, hospitals, rural electrification. Critics call it a regressive tax on the poor. But ask someone in Malappuram who just won ₹1,00,000, and they’ll tell you: it’s not about fairness. It’s about possibility.Next week’s draw, KR-691, is already being talked about. The ticket sales have surged. The agents are restocking. The Gazette will be published on February 1. And somewhere, someone is already buying their ₹50 ticket — not because they think they’ll win, but because they can’t afford not to try.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I verify if I’ve won the Karunya KR-690 lottery?
Winners must cross-check their ticket numbers against the official results published in the Kerala Government Gazette, not just websites or social media. The Gazette is the only legally recognized source. Winning tickets must be surrendered at any Kerala State Lotteries office within 30 days of the draw date — January 25, 2025 — to claim prizes. Failure to do so forfeits the amount entirely.
Who gets the 10% commission on big prizes?
The agent who sold the winning ticket receives 10% of the first, second, and third prize amounts. For the ₹80 lakh first prize, that’s ₹8 lakh going directly to Dineshan Thaiyyil Damodaran of Kottayam. This system incentivizes local sales networks and builds trust — people know which agents have had winners before, and they flock there. It’s a rare example of a state-run system that rewards grassroots entrepreneurship.
Why does Kerala run a state lottery?
Since 1967, Kerala has used lottery revenues to fund public welfare — including education, healthcare, and rural infrastructure. The state claims over ₹1,200 crore in annual lottery income supports social programs. Unlike other states, Kerala doesn’t outsource the lottery — it’s fully managed by the government, with transparent draws and public audits. The Karunya series, in particular, is marketed as a ‘social welfare lottery,’ with proceeds directed toward pension schemes and medical aid.
Which districts have the most first-prize winners?
As of November 2025, Thrissur leads with 222 first-prize winners since 2020, followed closely by Palakkad with 207. These districts have dense populations, high ticket sales, and long-standing lottery cultures. Interestingly, the winning agents in these areas are often the same families who’ve sold tickets for generations — turning lottery sales into inherited businesses.
Can I claim a prize if I lost my ticket?
No. Kerala State Lotteries requires the original physical ticket for verification. Digital copies, photos, or printouts are not accepted. The ticket’s unique serial number, series code, and security hologram must all be intact. If lost, the prize is forfeited — even if you remember the number. This policy prevents fraud but also leaves many vulnerable winners without recourse. Experts urge people to photograph their tickets immediately after purchase.
How are the winning numbers drawn?
The draw is conducted live at Gorky Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram using a manual ball-drawing machine, witnessed by government officials, media, and public observers. The process is televised and streamed on official platforms like keralalotteriesresults.in. Each series (KA–KM) is drawn separately, with random selection from sealed containers. The entire process is audited by the state’s finance department, and results are published simultaneously across all authorized sites to prevent tampering.
