Karnataka caste census recommends raising Backward Class reservations to 51%

NEW DELHI: The caste census report submitted to the Karnataka Cabinet has recommended increasing reservations for Backward Communities from the existing 32% to 51%, government sources told PTI on Saturday.

The recommendation is based on the findings of the socio-economic and educational survey, also known as the caste census, which highlights that Backward Communities make up nearly 70% of the state's population.

The report also proposes extending this 51% reservation to educational institutions in Karnataka. It draws comparisons with states like Tamil Nadu and Jharkhand, which currently provide 69% and 77% reservations respectively, in line with their backward class populations.

According to the survey, the total population of Other Backward Castes (OBCs) stands at over 4.16 crore out of a surveyed population of approximately 5.98 crore.

The report also places the Scheduled Caste population at over 1.09 crore and the Scheduled Tribe population at over 42 lakh.

The caste census was initially launched in 2015 under H Kantharaj and was later completed by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes under the leadership of K Jayaprakash Hegde.

The final report was submitted to chief minister Siddaramaiah in February 2024.