diff --git a/src/confluent_kafka/schema_registry/schema_registry_client.py b/src/confluent_kafka/schema_registry/schema_registry_client.py
index 387edf578..593834161 100644
--- a/src/confluent_kafka/schema_registry/schema_registry_client.py
+++ b/src/confluent_kafka/schema_registry/schema_registry_client.py
@@ -438,7 +438,7 @@ def get_subjects(self):
         """  # noqa: E501
         return self._rest_client.get('subjects')
 
-    def delete_subject(self, subject_name):
+    def delete_subject(self, subject_name, permanent=False):
         """
         Deletes the specified subject and its associated compatibility level if
         registered. It is recommended to use this API only when a topic needs
@@ -446,6 +446,7 @@ def delete_subject(self, subject_name):
 
         Args:
             subject_name (str): subject name
+            permanent (bool): True for a hard delete, False (default) for a soft delete
 
         Returns:
             list(int): Versions deleted under this subject
@@ -457,9 +458,15 @@ def delete_subject(self, subject_name):
             `DELETE Subject API Reference <https://docs.confluent.io/current/schema-registry/develop/api.html#delete--subjects-(string-%20subject)>`_
 
         """  # noqa: E501
-        return self._rest_client.delete('subjects/{}'
+        list = self._rest_client.delete('subjects/{}'
                                         .format(_urlencode(subject_name)))
 
+        if permanent:
+            self._rest_client.delete('subjects/{}?permanent=true'
+                                     .format(_urlencode(subject_name)))
+
+        return list
+
     def get_latest_version(self, subject_name):
         """
         Retrieves latest registered version for subject