Bengaluru, July 24 -- The state government will conduct a comprehensive socio-educational survey, or more popularly known as the caste survey, covering its entire 70 million population from September 22 to October 7, chief minister Siddaramaiah announced on Wednesday, positioning the exercise as a "model for the entire country."

The 15-day survey, proposed by the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes, aims to gather data on economic status, land ownership and social identity to serve as the foundation for the state's next budget and policy decisions.

"The main objective is to eliminate caste-based discrimination," Siddaramaiah said during a preparatory meeting. "A comprehensive survey must be conducted on the financial conditi...