The poll was conducted between June 3 and 6 among 776 adult persons in and around five major metropolitan centres (Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Nagpur).

Half of the sample was selected from rural locations at least 30 km away from city centres. Quota sampling was used to ensure that the social profile of the sample reflected the country’s social profile: 25 per cent SC/ST, 40 per cent OBC, besides 11 per cent Muslims. A survey of this size and kind is subject to a 5 per cent standard error and, therefore, can only be broadly indicative of the larger population.

Therefore, the poll can be seen as the first broad indicator of the national mood after the government’s decision to implement the OBC quota in higher education.