Karnataka HC Refuses To Stay Caste Survey, Sets Conditions: ‘Must Be Voluntary, Confidential’

Last Updated:September 25, 2025, 18:28 IST

The court made it clear that no individual can be forced to share information, and that participation in the survey must be purely voluntary

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar at a media briefing on caste survey. (PTI file photo)

The Karnataka High Court on Thursday declined to stay the ongoing caste survey in the state, while directing the Congress-led Siddaramaiah government to ensure that participation remains voluntary and all collected data is kept “strictly confidential”.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice CM Joshi passed the interim order while hearing a batch of petitions challenging the socio-economic and educational survey, commonly referred to as the caste survey, being carried out by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes (KSCBC).

The court said it found no reason to stop the survey. “We do not find reason to interdict the ongoing survey,” the bench stated.

At the same time, the judges issued key safeguards. The court made it clear that no individual can be forced to share information, and that participation in the survey must be purely voluntary, Bar and Bench reported.

“The State Backward Classes Commission (which is conducting the survey) shall ensure that the data collected is fully protected and kept confidential. We further direct the commission to submit a notification declaring that participation in this survey is voluntary and no person is obligated to disclose any of the information,” the order read.

The court also stressed that enumerators must not pressure or persuade anyone who declines to participate. “If a participant declines to participate in the survey, the enumerator will take no further steps to persuade or cajole the participant to divulge any information,” the court added.

Additionally, the High Court instructed the KSCBC to issue a public notice making these conditions clear and to ensure strict confidentiality of the data collected. “The data collected shall not be disclosed to anyone,” it said.

The caste survey, which began on September 22, is scheduled to continue till October 7. Around 1.75 lakh enumerators, mainly government school teachers, are expected to survey nearly 7 crore people across 2 crore households in the state.

The survey, conducted at a cost of Rs 420 crore, includes a 60-question form and is being carried out in what officials describe as a “scientific” manner. The final report is expected to be submitted to the state government by December.

(With inputs from agencies)

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