Karnataka MLCs Demand Special Session on Caste Survey

BANGALORE — Karnataka legislators in the Legislative Council on 24 September 2026 demanded a special session of the state assembly to debate a new caste survey that the government plans to launch next year. The move follows the council’s rejection of a draft survey law, the Kasturirangan ESA, on 22 September and a request for a one‑year delay before a fresh survey is conducted.

Special session demanded by Karnataka MLCs

On Thursday, 24 September, 2026, 30 members of the Karnataka Legislative Council (MLCs) filed a resolution calling for an urgent special session of the state legislature. The resolution, presented by the council’s opposition benches, seeks to discuss the proposed caste survey that will collect data on the social and economic status of various caste groups for the purpose of revising reservation policies.

The MLCs argue that the survey is essential for evidence‑based policy making but that it must be conducted with transparency and safeguards for data privacy. They also request that the session address the delay in the survey’s implementation and the need for clear guidelines on how the data will be used.

Rejection of Kasturirangan ESA draft

Two days earlier, on 22 September, the Karnataka government rejected the latest draft of the Kasturirangan ESA, a legislative proposal that would have established the framework for the upcoming caste survey. The rejection was announced by the state’s Ministry of Social Welfare, which cited concerns over the draft’s methodology and the lack of consultation with civil society groups.

In a statement, the ministry said that it would seek a one‑year period to prepare a revised draft that incorporates broader stakeholder input. The ministry also indicated that the delay would allow for the development of a robust data collection protocol and the establishment of an independent oversight committee.

Broader demands for farmer aid and norm changes

In addition to the caste survey, the MLCs have raised other policy issues in the same resolution. They seek amendments to existing agricultural norms that affect small‑holder farmers and call for increased financial assistance for farmers affected by the recent droughts. The resolution also requests a review of the state’s subsidy framework for irrigation and seed procurement.

These demands reflect a broader push by the council to address rural distress and to ensure that policy reforms are inclusive of the state’s diverse social groups.

Context of the caste survey

The proposed caste survey is part of a national effort to update demographic data that underpins India’s reservation system. The survey will collect information on caste, community, and socioeconomic indicators across Karnataka’s 30 districts. The data will be used to recalibrate reservation quotas in education, employment, and public sector contracts.

According to the government’s draft, the survey will be conducted by the Karnataka Department of Statistics in collaboration with the National Sample Survey Office. The survey is expected to cover over 2 million households and will be funded at a cost of ₹1.2 billion, as estimated by the state’s finance department.