1. Karnataka High Court declines to stay ongoing Social and Educational Survey

The High Court of Karnataka on September 25, 2025, declined to stay the ongoing social and educational survey, popularly known as the caste survey. Directing the State government to maintain confidentiality of data, the Court also maintained that the survey should be voluntary.

The Division Bench of Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C.M. Joshi said they “do not find reason to interdict the ongoing survey”. “We, however, state that the data collected shall not be disclosed to anyone. The Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes (KSCBC) shall ensure that data is fully protected and confidential,” the bench noted.

2. Government to take disciplinary action against officers skipping social and educational survey in Karnataka

The Karnataka Cabinet on September 25 decided to take disciplinary action against officers and employees who abstained from conducting the ongoing Social and Educational Survey 2025. The Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes commenced the social and educational survey on September 22 and it would end on October 7.

“Disciplinary action will be taken against those who are not following the instructions,” Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H. K. Patil said. Officers concerned would take action against all those who would refrain from attending the survey work, he said. It is reported that a large number of employees went on leave owing to school and college holidays and the Dasara festival.

3. Tourism Department issues guidelines to owners of resorts, hotels and home stays in Kodagu district

With the Dasara festival drawing domestic as well as international tourists and public to Kodagu, the Tourism Department of Karnataka has issued a list of guidelines for the owners of resorts, hotels and home stays to not only collect the details of visitors, but also provide them complete information about the tourist spots in the district.

Upon arrival, the names of the guests, Aadhaar card, complete address, mobile number and vehicle number must be recorded. In case of foreign tourists, their visa, passport and flight ticket must be mandatorily recorded too. Tourists must be also given full information about the district’s tourist spots, route maps, and the opening and closing timings of the sites, according to a statement.

4. This new liquid sweetener from cashew apple that could push sugar out of your diet

Directorate of Cashew Research (DCR), under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Puttur in Dakshina Kannada district, has developed a liquid sweetener (liquid jaggery) from cashew apple. “The development of liquid sweetener from cashew apple is a major breakthrough in cashew research. It is first of its kind,” said J. Dinakara Adiga, Director, DCR.

Food technology scientist at DCR Jyoti Nishad, who developed the liquid jaggery, said that the product has functional properties and high anti-oxidant activity and can be used in place of honey. The unique sugar profile makes it a potential candidate in bakery and confectionery industries. A patent has been filed for this technology.