The Karnataka government on Monday launched a state-wide caste census focusing on Scheduled Castes (SCs), aiming to collect detailed demographic data to ensure equitable distribution of reservation benefits and strengthen social justice policies.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, announcing the initiative at a press conference, said the caste-wise enumeration would run from May 5 to May 17 and would be conducted in three phases—door-to-door surveys, special camps, and an online self-declaration option.
Leading the process is a one-member commission chaired by retired High Court Judge Justice Nagamohan Das, who is tasked with preparing an accurate report on sub-caste distribution within the SC community. “There are 101 castes listed under Scheduled Castes in Karnataka, including sub-groups such as Left and Right Hand, Lamani, Korama, and Koracha. We need clear population data for each,” the Chief Minister said.
The move is in line with the Supreme Court’s August 2024 ruling, which permits states to implement internal reservations among SCs, provided it is supported by empirical data. The Nagamohan Das Commission had recommended detailed population-based evidence as a prerequisite for fair and constitutional internal quota implementation.
Over 65,000 teachers have been deployed as survey enumerators, with one supervisor overseeing every 10-12 of them. Citizens are encouraged to provide accurate sub-caste details during home visits or via:
- Designated camps (May 19–21)
- Online portal (May 19–23)
A dedicated helpline (94813/59000) has been launched to address public concerns and queries.
“The 2011 census lacked granular sub-caste data, which has made informed decision-making difficult,” Siddaramaiah noted. “This survey is a step toward ensuring no community is left behind in Karnataka’s development.”
The commission is expected to submit its findings within 60 days of completing the data collection, after which the state government will finalise a revised internal reservation framework.
