K'taka caste census: Fresh survey not practical before next summer, say experts

While the Cabinet has decided to conduct a fresh Social and Educational survey (caste census), most field experts have opined that the new exercise cannot practically be conducted before April-May 2026.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah told reporters last week that the exercise would be completed within 90 days after it’s initiated. However, sources point out to practical difficulties that may delay the exercise

“According to the Right to Education Act, 2009, teachers cannot be utilised for non-academic work during school days. As a result, the survey has to be conducted during the summer holidays in April-May. This work is specialised and cannot be carried out by ASHA and Anganwadi workers,” said K N Lingappa, a member of the then Backward Classes Commission headed by H Kantharaj.

The entire process has to begin with the appointment of members for the Backward Classes Commission, which is currently headed by former advocate general Madhusudan R Naik. 

After that, the commission has to frame a questionnaire, prepare a handbook, mark houses, appoint around 1.5 lakh teachers, train them, add digital options and then go ahead with the survey. Then, analysing the raw data and providing recommendations might take another 5-6 months.

Multiple sources with direct knowledge of the subject told DH that the entire process would take approximately one-and-a-half years.

Former Backward Classes Commission Chairman C S Dwarakanath said: “As per law, the OBC list has to be reviewed once in 10 years. The upcoming survey can be considered as a second census. Since the earlier exercise is being left out, we don’t need its hangovers. Let this be a new one.”

B’luru conundrum

Both the social and educational survey of 2015 and the ongoing statewide comprehensive survey of Scheduled Castes (SCs) have shown a similar pattern. While both surveys were very successful across districts, the enumeration was found to be poor in Bengaluru city. 

“There should be a high-power committee monitored under the chief secretary to supervise the exercise. Unless the government intervenes and enforces discipline in the BBMP, these numbers cannot be improved,” Lingappa added. As per estimates, Bengaluru’s population is around 1.3 crore now, while the statewide population is close to 7 crore.

Taking exception to the government now citing the 10-year clause, a source with direct knowledge of the survey explained that had the government taken a decision soon after the commission submitted its report in 2024, there would not have been any legal hassle.