Karnataka Government Reviews Caste Census Recommendations Ahead of Key Cabinet Meeting

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar assures a thorough review of the report proposing major reservation quota changes, with a decision expected after April 17 discussions.

The caste census report recommends increasing Karnataka's total reservation limit to over 75%, including raising the Muslim community's quota from 4% to 8%.
Submitted to the cabinet on April 10, the report includes extensive caste demographic data, estimating OBCs at 4.18 crore, SCs at 1.09 crore, and STs at 42.81 lakh.
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar emphasized that the government will not rush its decision and will carefully examine the report during the April 17 cabinet meeting.
The Vokkaliga and Lingayat communities have rejected the report, calling it unscientific and alleging it misrepresents their population figures.
The caste census, initiated in 2014 under Siddaramaiah's leadership, faced years of delays and political contention before its final submission in February 2024.