Caste Certificate | Meaning, Application Process and Documents Required for Caste Certificate

Caste Certificate: A caste certificate is an official document stating that an individual belongs to a particular caste in society. Often, caste certifications are awarded to individuals that belong to the Scheduled caste and Scheduled Tribes or Other Backward Classes that are documented in the Indian Constitution.

Why is a Caste Certificate Needed?

Under the Indian Constitution, the Indian System of Protective Discrimination is a program that enables special privileges to individuals that fall under the aforementioned classes (SC/ ST and OBC). These privileges entail reservation of seats in Government services, Legislatures and admissions to various institutions – especially education. In order for individuals to avail of these privileges (individuals that belong to the aforementioned classes), they need to furnish a document called the Caste Certificate at the time of enrollment/ registration/ etc. In India, Caste certificates are usually obtained by visiting the concerned governmental department. However, current technology has enabled the document to be procured through online means.

Procedure to Apply for a Caste Certificate (Online Method)

Today, caste certificates can be availed through online and offline means. However, it is important to note that not all states in India provide facilities to apply online. Following is a generic instruction to apply online for a caste certificate

• Every state has a department for Welfare of Backward Classes. Note: the names of these departments are different for every state.
• Visit the website of these departments. To ensure that the website is official, most URLs end with a .gov or a nic.in extension. (For instance, the official site for welfare of backward classes in the state of Karnataka is http://backwardclasses.kar.nic.in/). Please do note that this may not hold true for all states.
• Click on "Apply for Caste Certificate" (or other similar links) on the official portal
• You may have to create a new account – with a username and password.
• Login with the new credential and fill in personal details – such as name, locality, total family income etc.
• After filling in the details, you may be prompted to upload certain documents to verify that you actually belong to that particular caste (Aadhaar Card, address proof,  proof of income, Affidavit for Caste Certificate, Proof of caste of self, school certification, etc)
• Post submission of application, an acknowledgment may be provided. Do ensure to save the acknowledgment for future reference.
• If the verification is successful, the candidate can log in to the portal and download their caste certificate.

Procedure to Apply for a Caste Certificate (Offline Method)

Following is the procedure to procure a caste certificate through offline means. Please note – the exact process may differ from state to state. However, the following procedure is applicable to most states.

• Candidates must get the application form for a caste certificate from one of the following institutions – Revenue office, Tehsil/ Taluk Office, Sub-Divisional Magistrate's Office, Common Service Centres, or other relevant body.
• The application form must be filled thoroughly. Ensure that none of the details are left out. Doing so might lead to the rejection of the application
• In the caste detail section, fill out the caste details of your father (or next blood relative if the father is expired. Also, provide supporting documents of your blood relatives).
• Select the relevant caste from the options provided
• If migrated from another state, then the same must be stated.
• Ensure to complete and sign the self-declaration section
• Attach a scanned copy of supporting documents (if required). Ensure that these documents are self-attested
• Attach a passport photograph and submit the application form to the concerned authority.
• If the application is verified successfully, the candidate will receive their Caste certificate in a month's time.

List of Documents Required for Caste Certificate

The following are a list of documents required during the application process of caste certificates. For online application, do ensure to keep scanned copies (pdf/ jpeg) of the following documents ready. For offline application, ensure that the photocopies of these documents are attested (either by self or relevant authority).

Identity Proof

• Aadhar Card
• Driving Licence
• Voter ID
• PAN card
• NREGA card
• RSBY Card
• Passport

Address Proof

• Aadhar Card
• Driving Licence
• Passport
• Voter ID
• Electricity Bill
• Phone bill
• Water bill
• Ration card
• Rent receipt

Affidavit for Caste certificate

This affidavit is a legal document used to declare personal facts or information such as caste and address of a person. It is usually written on a stamp paper and attested by the Oath Commissioner to make it legally binding.

Proof of Caste of Self/ Blood relative

• Primary school register of the applicant (or father/ grandfather)
• (OR) SSLC/ Primary school leaving certificate of the applicant or the applicant's father
• Extract of the birth certificate of the applicant or the applicant's father
• Document issued by the Social Justice Department certifying the caste
• Validity certificate
• Village panchayat Record
• Revenue records
• Other evidence issued and attested by the relevant authority.

When is Caste Certificate Required?

As stated before, caste certifications are awarded to individuals that belong to the Scheduled caste and Scheduled Tribes or Other Backward Classes stated under the Indian Constitution. The Caste certification provides equal opportunity to help underprivileged sections of society. These include:

• Admission to schools and colleges
• Competitive examinations (such as NEET/ JEE/ UPSC etc)
• Scholarships
• Employment Opportunities
• Governmental Schemes
• Concessions
• Subsidies
• Grants

FAQ's on Caste Certificate

Question 1.
What is a caste certificate?

Answer:
A caste certificate is a legal document stating that an individual belongs to a particular caste in Indian society as prescribed by the Government of India.

Question 2.
How to apply for a caste certificate?

Answer:
Caste certificates can be availed through online and offline means. Online means include visiting and filling out an application on the state's official website for Welfare of backward classes. Offline methods include visiting and collecting the application form from relevant authorities and submitting the duly completed form.

Question 3.
Where can we collect applications for caste certificates offline?

Answer:
Candidates can approach the Revenue office, Tehsil/ Taluk Office, Sub-Divisional Magistrate's Office, Common Service Centres, or other relevant bodies to collect the caste certificate application form.

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