Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, along with Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and other ministers, addressed a press conference to launch the Comprehensive Caste Survey of Scheduled Castes in Karnataka, at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru on May 5, 2025.
| Photo Credit: K. Murali Kumar
Reiterating his government’s commitment to provide internal reservation for Scheduled Castes, as declared in the 2023 election manifesto, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah launched the comprehensive caste survey targeting Scheduled Castes (SCs) to gather empirical data on sub-caste demographics, in Bengaluru on May 5, 2025.
Addressing the media, he said the exercise would be held in three stages, and aims to ensure equitable distribution of reservation benefits and to uphold social justice. A one-member commission headed by retired High Court Judge Nagamohan Das will oversee the process.
Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Minister H.C. Mahadevappa, K.H. Muniyappa, Political Secretary Nasir Ahmed and Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh were also present.
Three phases
The survey will be held between May 5 and May 23, in three different ways to ensure all members of the SC population are covered.
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May 5 to May 17: door-to-door visits
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May 19 to May 20: special camps
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May 19 to May 23: online self-declaration option
“The government is committed to implementing internal reservation within SC communities based on accurate data,” Siddaramaiah said. “The 2011 census lacked detailed sub-caste information, making this exercise necessary for fair policy decisions.”
“Over 65,000 teachers have been deployed as enumerators, with one supervisor assigned for every 10-12 surveyors,” the CM said, urging citizens to provide correct sub-caste details either during home visits, at designated camps, or via online submission.
Why internal reservation
The move follows a Supreme Court ruling on August 1, 2024, allowing states to introduce internal quotas for SCs based on empirical evidence. The Nagamohan Das Commission had earlier stressed the need for verified population data before such implementation.
The commission is expected to submit its report within 60 days of data collection, after which the government will finalise reservation policies. A dedicated helpline (9481359000) has been set up for public queries.
“This survey ensures no community is left behind in Karnataka’s development journey,” the CM added.
Published – May 05, 2025 01:15 pm IST
