In a significant administrative move, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday announced a 10-day holiday for all government and government-aided schools across the state from October 8 to October 18, 2025. The decision aims to facilitate the completion of the ongoing social and educational survey, popularly referred to as the ‘caste survey’.
The survey, originally scheduled to conclude on October 7, has been extended due to uneven progress in data collection across different districts. The temporary school closure will enable teachers—who are key participants in the survey—to complete the remaining work efficiently.
Caste Survey Extension and Progress Status
Addressing the media after a review meeting with ministers and senior officials, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said,
“We were supposed to end the survey on October 7. But in some districts, it is almost completed, while in others, it is still lagging. The extension will help ensure all regions complete their data collection effectively.”
According to data shared by the Chief Minister, the Koppal district has achieved an impressive 97% completion rate, while Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts are at 63% and 60%, respectively. Other regions are still catching up, prompting the state government to allow additional time for comprehensive coverage.
Officials clarified that the caste survey plays a vital role in understanding the socio-economic and educational landscape of Karnataka. The 10-day school break ensures that teachers—who serve as enumerators—can focus solely on data verification and household enumeration without affecting the accuracy of the process.
Survey Methodology: Geo-Tagging and Digital Integration
The state government is deploying advanced digital tracking methods to streamline the survey process. Each household in Karnataka will be geo-tagged using its electricity meter number and assigned a Unique Household ID (UHID). This ID will create a centralized digital record of households, improving the accuracy of population data and ensuring better delivery of welfare schemes in the future.
Officials from the Department of Social Welfare and Backward Classes have highlighted that the geo-tagging system will help avoid duplication and ensure real-time data verification. The digital model will also be instrumental in policy formulation for education, employment, and welfare initiatives targeting underrepresented communities.
Government’s Vision and Implementation Challenges
The Karnataka caste survey—officially termed the Socio-Economic and Educational Survey—is one of the most comprehensive data collection initiatives undertaken by any Indian state. It aims to provide accurate demographic data to support evidence-based policymaking.
However, uneven progress in data collection due to logistical issues and varying administrative efficiency across districts led to delays. The Chief Minister assured that the state is committed to achieving 100% coverage and maintaining data transparency.
Impact on Education and Teachers
During the 10-day closure, schools will remain shut, and teachers will engage exclusively in survey duties. The government clarified that this temporary break will not impact the academic calendar, as adjustments will be made to cover any missed instructional days later.
The Karnataka government’s decision to declare a 10-day holiday for government schools underscores the importance of completing the caste survey accurately and uniformly. With geo-tagging technology, digital data integration, and active teacher participation, the state aims to achieve 100% survey completion and create a comprehensive socio-economic database that will shape Karnataka’s future welfare and education policies, for more details CLICK HERE
