The possibility of increasing the time of caste census in Karnataka; School time revised to assist in survey work

According to a memorandum released by the Department of School Education and Literacy, the ongoing social and educational survey – commonly known as the “caste census” – is likely to be extended to end on October 7.

The department has amended the school time after the Dussehra holidays for the facility of completing the survey work by the teachers. Government and aided schools in Greater Bengaluru region will operate from 8 to 24 October from 8 am to 1 pm. Teachers appointed as enumerators will continue the survey work after school time during this period.

In the rest of the state, government and aided schools will follow the same program from 8 to 12 October to 1 pm.

The memorandum of 6 October cited a letter from the Backward Classes Welfare Department in which additional time has been sought to complete the survey. It states that changes in school time have been made to protect the educational interests of students and it has been ensured that classes are not interrupted after mid -year holiday.

The survey launched on 22 September by the Karnataka State Backward Classes Commission was scheduled to end on 7 October. However, the practice and preliminary requirements delayed practice in the Greater Bengaluru region, and is still going on.

A formal announcement is awaited by the Commission regarding expansion.

Officials said the survey, which is an estimated cost of ₹ 420 crore, is based on a 60-pronounced questionnaire and is being conducted through scientific method. The previous social and educational survey conducted in 2015, which cost ₹ 165.51 crore, was eventually canceled.