This study was taken up to evaluate the performance of minor lift irrigation schemes (MLIS) in Northern Karnataka in terms of growth in number and area irrigated and identify constraints in their working. Findings of the study revealed that growth rate of Government run MLIS in Karnataka increased during 1990-2005 at a meager compound rate of 1.40 per cent. In the erstwhile Bijapur district (pre bifurcation 1997), about 61 per cent of MLIS were non-working. With respect to performance of MLIS in terms of expected and actual irrigation only 31.65 per cent of the expected area was under irrigation, which reflected upon their poor efficiency. Constraints like scarcity of water, electricity and water charges fell in the severe category. As a policy it is suggested that efficiency of those MLIS which are working normally can be improved through formation of water users’ cooperatives (WUCs), use of water saving devices and adoption of suitable cropping pattern. Government has to formulate a rehabilitation package with substantial financial outlays for those which need repair and rehabilitation. Finally, those which are non-functional should be withdrawn with all their infrastructure and staff to minimize burden on the state exchequer