Karnataka Schools Revise Timings to Support Ongoing Social & Educational Survey

In response to the ongoing Social and Educational Survey, commonly referred to as the ‘caste census’, the Karnataka Department of School Education and Literacy has revised school timings across the state. This change aims to allow government school teachers—many of whom are appointed as enumerators—to complete their survey duties without compromising classroom instruction.

As per the official memo issued on October 6, schools in Greater Bengaluru will operate from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm starting October 8 through October 24, 2025. The announcement comes after the Dasara holidays, as schools resume mid-year academic activities.

Revised Timings and Survey Schedule

• In Greater Bengaluru, government and aided schools will hold morning classes only from October 8 to 24.
• In the rest of Karnataka, this adjusted schedule will apply from October 8 to 12.
• After school hours, teachers appointed as survey enumerators will engage in survey work, ensuring that academic sessions remain uninterrupted.

The decision to modify school hours reflects an effort to balance educational continuity with the demands of a large-scale, time-sensitive survey. The department stressed that the move has been made “in the academic interest of students” to avoid further disruption after the mid-year break.

Why the Timings Were Changed

Originally scheduled to conclude on October 7, the Social and Educational Survey has now been unofficially extended, with a formal announcement from the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes expected soon.

Delays in Greater Bengaluru—stemming from requests for additional training and preparatory time—have contributed to the extended timeline. Despite the setback, the survey is now actively underway across the region.

According to the backward classes welfare department, more time is essential to complete the survey effectively. The department’s communication prompted the education department to tweak school schedules to accommodate the needs of both teachers and students during the extended survey period.

Survey Details: Scale and Scope

The survey is a massive undertaking, being conducted under the aegis of the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes. It officially commenced on September 22, aiming to collect comprehensive socio-educational data, including caste information, to inform future welfare and policy decisions.

Key details of the ongoing survey:

• Estimated Cost: ₹420 crore
• Questionnaire: 60 questions covering social, educational, and economic parameters
• Execution: Teachers and government-appointed personnel serve as enumerators
• Scientific Approach: Officials have emphasised a data-driven and methodical process

This initiative marks the second such survey in Karnataka. A similar Social and Educational Survey conducted in 2015, which cost the state ₹165.51 crore, was later shelved and never implemented—adding pressure to ensure that the 2025 edition is successful, credible, and actionable.

Teachers at the Forefront

Teachers from government and aided schools have been entrusted with dual responsibilities—classroom instruction during the day and survey enumeration in the evening. This role expansion has required careful time management to ensure that students’ learning is not compromised, especially following the festive break.

By limiting classes to five hours in the morning, the government aims to strike a balance between administrative duty and academic responsibility. It also reduces fatigue among teachers while ensuring that survey activities proceed without delay.

Broader Implications of the Survey

The Social and Educational Survey is seen as a significant step toward understanding Karnataka’s socio-economic fabric, especially in the context of caste-based inequalities and access to education and resources. Once completed and analysed, the data is expected to:

• Inform policy decisions on reservation and welfare schemes
• Guide the allocation of state resources
• Serve as a foundational document for social justice reforms

The scientific methodology and scope of the current survey stand in contrast to the abandoned 2015 effort, suggesting a more committed and transparent approach by the state government this time.

What’s Next?

Though the current school timing adjustments are temporary, further changes may be announced if the survey timeline is officially extended. For now, schools, students, and teachers in Greater Bengaluru and across the state are expected to adapt to the revised schedule until the enumeration process concludes.

With the official end date of the survey still pending, all eyes are on the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes for the final announcement.

Conclusion

The Karnataka government’s decision to adjust school timings from October 8 to accommodate the ongoing Social and Educational Survey underscores the scale and seriousness of the effort. By involving teachers directly in the data collection process and modifying academic hours strategically, the state aims to meet survey goals while maintaining classroom integrity.

While logistical challenges remain, this adaptive strategy highlights how administrative planning can align with academic priorities during large-scale social initiatives.