Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) is an important pulse crop cultivated extensively in North Eastern Karnataka. However, dry root rot caused by Rhizoctonia bataticola is one among the major constraints affecting pigeonpea production, resulting in considerable yield losses. Hence, a roving survey was conducted to assess the incidence and distribution of dry root rot in major pigeonpea growing districts of North Eastern Karnataka during 2025–26. The survey was conducted in Raichur, Kalaburagi and Bidar districts covering major pigeonpea growing taluks and villages. Results revealed considerable variation in dry root rot incidence across the surveyed locations. Among the districts, Kalaburagi recorded the maximum mean incidence of dry root rot (19.11 %), followed by Raichur (19.00 %) and Bidar (12.34 %). At the taluk level, Jevargi taluk of Kalaburagi district recorded the maximum mean incidence of 22.00 per cent, followed by Raichur taluk (20.00 %) and Kalaburagi taluk (20.00 %). Among the villages surveyed, Janiwar village of Jevargi taluk recorded the maximum dry root rot incidence of 30.00 per cent, followed by J. Venktapur of Raichur taluk (28.00 %) and Manslapur (26.00 %) and Sarjapur (26.00 %). The incidence varied considerably among the surveyed locations, with comparatively lesser incidence recorded in several villages. The survey results revealed marked spatial variation in the incidence and distribution of dry root rot across the major pigeonpea growing areas of North Eastern Karnataka.