Karnataka CM Pushes to Wrap Up Caste Census Amid Technical Hurdles

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah declared that technical challenges impeding the state’s Social and Educational Survey, popularly known as the caste census, have been nearly resolved, setting the stage for an accelerated, full-fledged data collection effort. Addressing concerns over the survey’s sluggish pace, the Chief Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to completing the ambitious exercise by October 7, 2025, with no extensions permitted.

Initiated on September 22 by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes, this Rs 420-crore project aims to collect comprehensive socio-economic and educational data from approximately 1.43 crore families, covering 7 crore individuals across the state, using a detailed 60-question questionnaire designed for scientific rigor.

In a high-level video conference with ministers, senior officials, Backward Classes Commission Chairman Madhusudan R Naik, Deputy Commissioners (DCs), and Zilla Panchayat CEOs, Siddaramaiah reviewed progress and issued firm directives to address bottlenecks. The survey had faced significant hurdles, including server overloads, OTP generation failures, and network disruptions affecting the mobile application used by approximately 1.75 lakh enumerators, primarily government school teachers conducting door-to-door visits.

These issues had limited daily progress to just 2-4 percent, with only 2.76 lakh families surveyed so far. However, Siddaramaiah noted that over 90 percent of the technical glitches have been resolved, with the remaining expected to be fixed by the end of the day. To recover lost ground, he mandated a minimum of 10 percent daily progress, supported by daily review meetings at the district level and oversight from regional commissioners, district in-charge secretaries, and ministers.

The Karnataka High Court’s ruling on September 25, 2025, further shaped the survey’s framework, allowing it to proceed while mandating data confidentiality and voluntary participation. Siddaramaiah pledged full compliance with these conditions, reinforcing the government’s commitment to ethical data collection. Addressing reports of resistance from some enumerators, he clarified that such instances stemmed from misconceptions and assured that remuneration would be provided, with legal action promised against non-cooperation.

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This caste census is a landmark initiative aimed at informing equitable policy-making and resource allocation in Karnataka. By overcoming initial setbacks and enforcing rigorous oversight, the state is poised to complete this critical exercise on schedule, with the commission expected to submit its report by December 2025. The successful execution of this survey could set a precedent for data-driven social justice reforms, offering insights into the state’s diverse socio-economic fabric and addressing long-standing demands for inclusive governance.

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