A roving survey was conducted in hilly and coastal zones of Karnatakato find out the incidence of false smut of rice caused by Ustilaginoideavirens (Cooke). The disease incidence ranged between 3.27 to 11.44per cent among surveyed districts. Among all districts surveyed, thehighest disease incidence of 11.44 per cent was recorded in Bittangalaof Virajpet taluk of Kodagu district. Whereas, lowest incidence of3.27 per cent was recorded in Gajanuru of Shivamogga taluk ofShivamogga district. The survey data implied that false smut isemerging as one of the major diseases of rice in hilly and coastal zonesof Karnataka.