Karnataka has successfully concluded the fieldwork for its second Social and Educational Survey. This extensive exercise, conducted by the State Commission for Backward Classes, spanned over a month across the state. For those who might have missed the door-to-door enumeration, the government has announced that details can still be submitted online until November 10.
Backward Classes Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi stated that no decision has been made to extend the survey period further, but emphasized that individuals can complete their participation through the online portal until the new deadline. The survey commenced on September 22, with the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) region starting its enumeration process on October 4. This initiative follows a similar survey conducted in 2015.
Minister Tangadagi reported that the survey achieved an impressive overall progress rate of 101.47%, successfully covering approximately 1.46 crore households and reaching about 5.52 crore people. However, the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) area saw a slower progress of 48.32%. Officials attributed this discrepancy to several factors, including technical difficulties and the large, mobile population in the city, many of whom cited prior data submission in their native districts or declined to provide information.
“We are diligently assessing the technical and logistical reasons that contributed to the slower progress in the GBA region,” Tangadagi added. Reports indicate that over six lakh families in the GBA area did not participate, leading to their exclusion from the final count despite enumerators visiting their homes.
Political analyst A. Narayana commented that the survey, while intended as a socio-educational exercise, has also revealed underlying social dynamics within the state. He suggested that some refusals stemmed from social superiority rather than privacy concerns, noting a general indifference among some to participate in civic welfare initiatives.
The foundation for a caste census in Karnataka was initially laid during Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s previous term, with a comprehensive survey conducted in 2015. While the report was accepted in principle this year, its detailed findings and release date are yet to be made public.
According to leaked data from the 2015 survey, Scheduled Castes (SCs) comprised 19.5% of Karnataka’s population, followed by Muslims at 16%. Other significant communities included Lingayats (14%) and Vokkaligas (11%). The Kuruba community alone represented 7% of the population, contributing to the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) overall share of 20%. Combined, these groups—SCs, STs, Muslims, and Kurubas—accounted for nearly 47.5% of the state’s populace.