The Karnataka government has announced that all government schools across the state will remain closed until October 18, 2025, as teachers have been assigned duties related to the statewide caste-based survey. The move aims to ensure smooth and efficient data collection as part of the comprehensive social and economic survey currently underway.

Initially, the survey was scheduled to conclude by October 7, but uneven progress across several districts led authorities to extend the deadline. Teachers, who form a major part of the on-ground survey workforce, have been asked to actively participate in field verification and data entry, leaving schools temporarily without adequate teaching staff.

Officials clarified that the decision was made to maintain accuracy and completeness in the caste enumeration process, which is expected to play a significant role in shaping future welfare policies and resource allocation in Karnataka.

While the holiday ensures administrative focus on the survey, it has also raised concerns among parents and education activists about the loss of instructional days, especially for students preparing for board examinations. Some private schools, however, are expected to remain open as they are not directly involved in the exercise.

The state government has assured that academic calendars will be adjusted accordingly to minimize learning disruptions once schools reopen after October 18.

This extension highlights both the complexity and scale of Karnataka’s caste survey, one of the most extensive exercises of its kind undertaken in recent years.