Karnataka’s fresh caste census to begin September 22, ₹420 crore allocated

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced a caste census from September 22 to October 7, costing ₹420 crore.

Published on: Sep 13, 2025, 07:59:07 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday announced that the state’s Social and Educational Survey, popularly known as the caste census, will be carried out between September 22 and October 7 at an estimated cost of ₹420 crore.

The survey will be conducted by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes, led by chairperson Madhusudhan R Naik, and will use a 60-question questionnaire to gather data on the social and educational status of the state’s 7 crore people, news agency PTI reported.

(Also Read: Discussions underway to resume passenger flights at Bengaluru's HAL airport before May 2033: Report )

The commission has been directed to complete the work quickly and submit its report by December.

Siddaramaiah said the exercise would be carried out “scientifically.” To ensure wide coverage, about 1.75 lakh government school teachers will be deployed during the Dasara holidays. Each teacher, after training, will survey 120–150 households in a block and receive remuneration of up to ₹20,000, which makes up the bulk of the survey cost, around ₹325 crore.

The chief minister noted that the previous survey conducted in 2015 had cost ₹165.51 crore but was discarded after criticism. This time, he appealed to citizens to participate actively, saying:

“This survey is a crucial step towards achieving social justice and ensuring equal opportunities for all. I urge everyone to answer truthfully and to the best of their knowledge.”

Survey process and technology

Asha workers will visit households in advance to provide application forms.

Every household will be geo-tagged using electricity meter numbers and assigned a Unique Household ID (UHID). This process has already been completed for 1.55 lakh houses.

Even households without electricity connections will be covered to ensure no one is left out.

Data collected will link ration cards and Aadhaar details with mobile numbers.

A helpline (8050770004) and online participation options will be available for those absent during the survey or facing grievances.

The Karnataka Cabinet approved the fresh survey on June 12, effectively nullifying the 2015 exercise, citing Section 11(1) of the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1995, which requires revision of the backward classes list every 10 years.

The 2015 survey had faced sharp opposition, especially from the state’s dominant communities, Vokkaligas and Veerashaiva-Lingayats, who called it “unscientific.” Even within the Congress, there had been dissent against the earlier exercise.

(Also Read: Karnataka: 8 dead as truck ploughs into Ganesha procession )

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest City News, local updates, weather alerts and breaking stories from Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and other major cities across India on Hindustan Times.