Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, May 30: Leaked details from Karnataka's long-awaited caste census have reportedly identified Muslims as the state's largest community, accounting for nearly 14% of the population, while also recommending a significant increase in reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
The findings are contained in the Social and Educational Survey Report prepared by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes under the chairmanship of Madhusudan R Naik and submitted to caretaker chief minister Siddaramaiah at Vidhana Soudha on May 27.
The report, popularly known as the caste census, runs to nearly 300 pages and is spread across 13 chapters. It is based on the Social and Educational Survey conducted in 2025 and is said to have covered around 5.9 crore people, accounting for roughly 89 to 94% of Karnataka's estimated population.
Although the government has not officially released the report, portions of it have reportedly been leaked to the media, revealing demographic data that could have far-reaching implications for reservation policies, welfare programmes and political representation in the state.
According to the leaked figures, Muslims constitute nearly 14% of Karnataka's population, with their numbers estimated at around 75.25 lac. The report reportedly places the community's population in the range of 75 lac to 80 lac, making it the largest single community in the state.
The Veerashaiva-Lingayat community is estimated to account for around 11% of the population, with numbers ranging between 60 lac and 65 lac, making it the second-largest community.
Vokkaligas constitute around 10% of the population, with an estimated strength of 55 lac to 60 lac, placing them third among the state's major communities.
The Kuruba community accounts for nearly 8% of the population, with an estimated population of between 40 lac and 45 lac, according to details that have emerged from the report.
The survey also contains data relating to other major OBC, Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities, although those figures have not yet been disclosed publicly.
Speaking to reporters after submitting the report, Commission chairman Madhusudan Naik said the exercise had been completed comprehensively but declined to reveal its contents.
"The report related to OBCs has been fully completed. There is no connection between speculation and the actual report. Translation of the report took time. We had initially planned to submit the report on May 30, but since May 29 is a holiday, it was submitted today itself," he said.
Naik said the survey was conducted extensively across the state and acknowledged that some sections of the population had not participated.
"We cannot do anything about those who did not participate in the survey. Because of this, some figures may be lower than expected. We have submitted the report honestly and sincerely. We hope the government accepts the report at the earliest," he stated.
The caste census was undertaken to gather scientific data on the social, educational and economic status of various castes and communities and to provide an empirical basis for framing reservation policies, welfare schemes and development programmes for backward classes.
Reports emerging from the leaked findings also suggest that the commission has recommended increasing the overall OBC reservation quota from the existing 32% to 42%, a move that could trigger major political and legal debate if accepted by the government.
According to available information, the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes spent between Rs 400 crore and Rs 635 crore on conducting the extensive survey exercise.
The report was submitted in the presence of several ministers, legislators and senior officials, including Shivaraj Tangadagi, H C Mahadevappa, M C Sudhakar, Satish Jarkiholi, N Cheluvarayaswamy, Congress MLAs N H Konareddy and P M Narendra Swamy, chief minister's legal advisor A S Ponnanna, commission members and senior administrative officials.
While the full report remains under wraps, the leaked figures have already intensified discussions on social justice, representation and reservation policy, with the government expected to take a call on the recommendations after studying the findings in detail.