Caste Census Findings Suggest 51% Reservation for Backward Communities in Karnataka

The caste census report presented to the Karnataka cabinet has recommended increasing the reservation for backward communities (BC) from the current 32% to 51%. As per government sources, the Socio-Economic and Educational Survey, also known as the caste census, indicates that the population of BC stands at 70%.

Additionally, the report proposed that BCs should receive a 51% reservation in educational institutions across the state.

It referenced Tamil Nadu and Jharkhand, which offer 69% and 77% reservations respectively based on the backward class population, according to the sources.
The survey report details that the population of Backward Communities in category 1A is 34,96,638, 1B- 73,92,313, 2A- 77,78,209, 2B- 75,25,880, 3A– 72,99,577, and the Backward Community in category 3B is 1,54,37,113, as per the claims of the sources.

This brings the total population of Other Backward Castes to 4,16,30,153.

According to the report, the populations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are noted as 1,09,29347 and 4,281,289, respectively. The sample survey encompasses a total population of 5,98,14,942.

The original survey was commissioned by H Kantharaj in 2015 and was later completed by Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes Chairman K Jayaprakash Hegde, who submitted the report to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in February 2024.