Bengaluru, 19 Sept

The Karnataka government on Friday approved the conduct of a statewide Social and Educational Survey or caste census of all citizens between 22 September and 7 October.

In its order, the government said, "In view of the details stated in the proposal, approval is accorded to the Karnataka State Backward Classes Commission to undertake a survey on the social and educational status of all citizens of the State from September 22, 2025 to October 7, 2025."

"Deputy Commissioners and Chief Executive Officers of Zilla Panchayats have already been informed through video conference to organise the necessary training programmes at the district and taluk level for the enumerators and to create public awareness to ensure full participation in the survey," the order further  stated.

The government clarified that it had carefully examined the proposal before fixing the survey dates and issuing the formal order.

The Commission's survey is aimed at compiling comprehensive data on the social and educational conditions of all residents of Karnataka.

Earlier, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that the survey of backward castes would not be postponed, amid reports of dissent within his Cabinet.

"We won’t postpone it. The Backward Class Commission is a constitutionally formed statutory body. We cannot give it any direction," he said.

Dismissing claims that ministers were unhappy with the survey, he added, "The BJP is doing politics… They are projecting the Congress government as anti-Hindu. I told ministers to unilaterally condemn it."

The Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes, led by chairperson Madhusudan R Naik, will start conducting the survey from Monday.  A 60-question questionnaire will be used to gather data on the social and educational status of the seven-crore people in the State.

Meanwhile, the State BJP President BY Vijayendra called on people to identify themselves as Hindus in the religion column, amid a row about the dual caste identity.

He clarified that the caste and sub-caste identification was left to the respective communities to decide, but urged that, "in the interest of the nation and the State, everyone must write 'Hindu' under the religion column."

However, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar asked “everyone to give accurate information during the survey. It would be grave injustice to your community if you don’t provide correct details.”

-Salar News with Agencies