What is a caste certificate?

A Caste Certificate is a documented proof that an individual is belonging to a particular caste. This Cast Certificate document is essential for Indian citizens to avail of various benefits. It is proof that an individual is belonging to a certain caste, especially in the case if he belongs to scheduled castes as they are specified in the Indian Constitution. A Caste Certificate In India proves the original caste of the respective individual, the caste certificate is an important document for the reserved category to prove the candidature, whenever it is required. Started by the Indian Government as a part of the "Indian System of Protective Discrimination" to encourage and give some special privileges to this category. The Central caste certificate online is important to avail of the benefits from the Central Government of India. The government felt that the

scheduled castes and the tribes

need encouragement and opportunities to be at the same pace as the rest of the citizens. So special privileges are granted to the citizens wherein there are reservations of seats in the legislature and the Government service, waiving off the part or whole of the college fees for admissions to schools and colleges, quotas in educational institutions, relaxation of the upper age limits for applying in certain jobs, etc. But to avail of these privileges, a citizen belonging to a scheduled caste must have a valid caste certificate. In this article, we look at the caste certificate in detail and hint about the central caste certificate online.

Documents required for obtaining a Caste Certificate In India

To obtain Caste Certificate In India the following documents along with the application:

Application Form
Residence Proof
Copy of the Birth Certificate
Copy of the Ration card
Copy of income certificate
Copy of the Voter ID or electoral roll
Aadhar Card
Photograph

Why is a Caste Certificate In India required?

The main objective of the issuance of the Cast certificate document in India is to facilitate the access of the bonafide candidates belonging to the scheduled castes and the scheduled tribes for reserving the posts and the services that are under the State and the Central government. It is also necessary to secure admission in the educational institutions and other facilities that are being provided by the State/Central Government to them.

How to avail of a Caste Certificate?

The Cast certificate document in India can be taken online or from the Revenue Department's local office or the SDM office. A local inquiry is conducted when the caste certificate is issued for the first time to a particular family. The documents to be kept handy are as following:

State residence proof for a specific period
Specified court stamp fee and
An affidavit in support of the caste.

This caste certificate is to be uploaded in the very prescribed format of the respective institute where it should be submitted or uploaded.

Which authority issues a Caste Certificate In India?

Caste certificates are issued by the respective State Government, each state government/ UT administration has laid down the procedure for issuing the certificates. Each State Government or the Union Territory administration has certain specified procedures for the issuance of the certificates. Caste certificates in India are also bilingual which includes the state's language and English. The Caste Certificate issued by the following authorities in the prescribed format is considered valid by the Central Government.

District Magistrate/ Additional District Magistrate/ Collector/ Deputy Commissioner/ Additional Deputy Commissioner/ Deputy Collector/ 1stClass Stipendary Magistrate/ Sub Divisional Magistrate/ Taluka Magistrate/ Executive Magistrate/ Extra Assitant Commisioner.
The Chief Presidency Magistrate/ Additional Chief Presidency Magistrate/ Presidency Magistrate.
Revenue Officer who is not below the rank of Tehsildar and
The Sub-divisional officer of the area where the candidate and or where the family is residing.

Instructions are issued in vide 0.M.No.36011/1/2012- Estt. (Res.) dated 8th of October 2015 provides that a candidate that belongs to a particular Scheduled caste, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward classes is not able to produce a certificate from any prescribed authorities then he or she may be appointed provisionally based on whatever prima-facie proof he or she can produce in support of his or her claim subject to the furnishing of the prescribed certificate within the reasonable time and if there is a genuine problem in obtaining his or her certificate then the appointing authority should verify the claim through the Concerned District magistrate.

What is the Central Caste Certificate Document in India?

A Central Caste Certificate In India is an official document that certifies an individual's membership in a specific caste or community, such as Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), or Other Backward Classes (OBC), and is recognized for central government purposes. This certificate, though primarily issued by state government authorities, must be valid for availing reservations and benefits in central government institutions, jobs, and welfare schemes. This central caste certificate document serves as crucial proof for individuals seeking to access educational quotas, employment opportunities, and various affirmative action programs implemented by the central government to promote social equity and support historically disadvantaged communities.

What factors are taken into consideration while issuing the caste certificate?

The certifying authority will verify and ensure that:

The caste certificate or the tribe certificate claims to belong is included in the Presidential Orders that are issued from time to time under the Articles 341 and 342 of the constitution:
The candidate belongs to the said caste/tribe;
The candidate ordinarily resides in the concerned state or the part of those states etc.

Disciplinary or penal action taken against the holders and the producers of Caste Certificates

The Caste Certificates are issued, verified, and canceled by the authorities of the respective State Governments. Every State Government has its own system/procedure for this purpose. In case of a government is found to be holding a false caste certificate to secure an appointment then action taken against him or her is required to be taken as per the instructions that are contained in the Department of Personnel and Training's 0.M.No.11012/7/91- Estt. (A) dated 19-5-93 dated 19-5-93 which provides that wherever it is found that a Government servant, who was not qualified or eligible in terms of the recruitment rules etc. for initial recruitment in service or had furnished false information or produced a false certificate to secure an appointment, he should not be retained in service. If he/she is a probationer or a temporary Government servant, he should be discharged or his services should be terminated. If he or she has become a permanent government servant then an inquiry as it is prescribed in Rule 14 of CCS (CCA) Rules,1965 may be held and in case the charges are proved the government servant should be removed or dismissed from service.

Issuance of the certificate for those who have migrated from one state to another

To remove the difficulty faced by the persons belonging to the Scheduled castes and the

Scheduled tribes

who have migrated from one state/ union territory to another to obtain the caste certificate from State/UT to which they have migrated it had been clarified to all state governments and the UT administrators, vide Ministry of Home Affairs letters dated 18.11.1982 and the 06.08.1984 that the prescribed authority of the State Government/ UT from another state/UT on the production of a genuine certificate that is issued to the father or the mother by the concerned State or UT of the father's mother's origin, except where the prescribed authority feels that detailed inquiry is necessary through the State of origin before issuing the certificate. The certificate is issued irrespective of the question is scheduled or not about the State/UT to which the person has migrated. For OBC similar instructions are issued to the States and UTs in the Ministry of Welfare's letter dated 08.04.1994.

Legal Framework

The statutory lists of the Scheduled Castes and the scheduled tribes, in the pursuance of Articles 341 and 342 of the Indian Constitution, were notified for the first time under the Indian constitution order,1950 and the constitution (Scheduled tribes) Order,1950. This list has been modified/ amended/ supplemented from time to time. On the reorganization of the states, the Scheduled castes and the tribes came into force from the 29th of October, 1956. A few orders concerning the Scheduled castes and the tribe's list in some individual states also came into force.

Voluntary Organisations Scheme for Schedule Castes National Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Hub

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Caste Certificate in India: Documents and Authority Guide.

A Caste Certificate is an official document that certifies an individual's caste identity, which is essential for availing various benefits and reservations provided by the government to historically disadvantaged communities like Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC). It serves as proof of eligibility for reserved seats in education, government jobs, and welfare schemes.

Citizens belonging to notified Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes are eligible to obtain a Caste Certificate from the authorized authorities in their respective states or union territories. The certificate validates their caste identity and allows them to access the reserved benefits and opportunities.

To apply for a Caste Certificate, applicants typically need to submit documents like an application form, residence proof, copy of birth certificate, ration card, income certificate, voter ID/electoral roll, Aadhaar card, and photographs. The specific requirements may vary slightly across different states or union territories.

Caste Certificates in India are issued by authorized authorities appointed by the respective state governments or union territory administrations. These authorities typically include District Magistrates, Sub-Divisional Magistrates, Revenue Officers of a certain rank, and other designated officials as per the prescribed guidelines.

Generally, a Caste Certificate issued by the competent authority in one state is accepted in other states as well. However, if the prescribed authority in the new state deems a detailed inquiry necessary, they may request additional verification through the state of origin before issuing a fresh certificate.

Yes, if it is found that a Caste Certificate has been obtained by furnishing false information or producing a false certificate, disciplinary or penal action can be taken against the holder by the respective state government authorities. In severe cases, the certificate may be revoked or canceled.

Yes, the issuance and recognition of Caste Certificates in India are governed by the provisions of Articles 341 and 342 of the Indian Constitution, as well as various orders and notifications issued by the central and state governments under these articles from time to time.

Caste Certificates in India are generally considered valid for a lifetime, unless revoked or canceled due to specific reasons. However, some educational institutions or employers may require a recently issued certificate within a certain period for verification purposes.

Yes, some state governments have introduced online portals or facilities for applying and obtaining Caste Certificates. However, the process and availability of online services may vary across different states and union territories.

If an individual faces genuine difficulties in obtaining a Caste Certificate, they can approach the concerned District Magistrate or the appointing authority for assistance. The authorities can verify the claim and provide provisional appointments or admissions, subject to the furnishing of the prescribed certificate within a reasonable time frame.