Skip to main content
INDEPENDENT PLATFORM eGyan is an independent citizen educational guide and is not affiliated with the Government of India or any state government.
eGyan .in
Know How. Do It Right.

How to Apply for Central Caste Certificate (SC/ST/OBC)

Complete guide on applying for Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Other Backward Class (OBC) caste certificates in Central Government formats for UPSC, SSC, and college admissions.

RKS
Rajesh K. Sharma
Legal Documentation & Public Administration Specialist
Published: • Updated:
Fact-Checked by: Adv. S. Ramanathan, Administrative Law Consultant

1. Introduction

Under the Constitution of India, affirmative action programs provide reservations in public employment, legislative representation, and educational institutions for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC). The Caste Certificate is the statutory revenue document confirming that a citizen belongs to a community recognized under the relevant Presidential Orders.

A clear distinction exists between State Caste Certificates (valid only within the issuing state) and Central Caste Certificates (issued in the mandatory Government of India format required for UPSC, SSC, Central Universities, and National Defence Academy admissions). This guide details the research requirements, ancestral proof thresholds, and application procedures.

2. Quick Summary: Certificate Types & Authorities

Category Authority Format Validity Crucial Criteria
SC / ST Certificate Form prescribed by Ministry of Social Justice Lifetime Proof of residence on cut-off date (1950)
Central OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) DoPT Annexure Format 1 Financial Year Gross Family Annual Income < ₹8 Lakhs
EWS Certificate Ministry of Social Justice Format 1 Financial Year Family Income < ₹8 Lakhs & Asset Criteria

3. Documents Required

  • Proof of Applicant Identity & Address: Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, or Passport.
  • Paternal Blood Relation Proof:
    • Father’s, Paternal Grandfather’s, or Real Paternal Uncle’s Caste Certificate.
    • School Leaving Certificate / 10th Marksheet of father showing the caste entry.
  • Ancestral Residence Proof (Cut-off date proof):
    • Land revenue records (Khatauni, Jamabandi, 7/12 extract) showing ancestral residence in the state prior to 1950 (for SC/ST) or 1993 (for OBC).
  • Affidavit on Stamp Paper: Sworn before a Notary Public detailing paternal genealogy, family tree, and declaring that the caste has not been converted.
  • Recent Passport Photographs: 2 copies.
  • Income Certificate / ITR: (Mandatory for OBC Non-Creamy Layer applicants to verify annual income under ₹8 lakh threshold).

4. Step-by-Step Online Application Procedure

  1. Access State Revenue Portal: Open your state’s citizen service portal (e.g., esathi.up.gov.in, aaplesarkar.mahaonline.gov.in, edistrict.delhigovt.nic.in, serviceonline.bihar.gov.in).
  2. Select Service: Choose Issuance of Caste Certificate (SC/ST/OBC). For Central Government jobs, select the checkbox or service for Central Government Format.
  3. Fill Personal Information: Enter Applicant Name, Father’s Name, Mother’s Name, Date of Birth, and Religion.
  4. Enter Caste Details: Select the exact caste/sub-caste as mentioned in the Central List (ncbc.nic.in).
  5. Upload Documents: Upload applicant’s photo, Aadhaar, father’s caste certificate, and ancestral residence record.
  6. Pay Government Fee: Pay the statutory fee (₹15 to ₹50) online.
  7. Download Acknowledgment: Print the receipt carrying the unique Application Number.

5. Revenue Field Inquiry (Lekhpal / Patwari / Tehsildar)

  • The application is assigned to the local Lekhpal / Patwari / Village Administrative Officer.
  • The officer inspects ancestral revenue registers and visits the locality to verify social status and community standing.
  • Upon satisfaction, the Lekhpal submits a favorable report to the Revenue Inspector (RI) and Tehsildar / Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM).
  • The Tehsildar digitally signs the Caste Certificate, which can be downloaded online with an official bar-code and verification key.

6. Official Resources

7. Disclaimer

eGyan.in is an independent civic portal. We do not provide reservation guarantees or issue certificates. Caste certificates are issued solely by competent state revenue authorities under constitutional orders.

Direct Official Government Portals for this Service

eGyan strongly advises submitting applications only through authorized government domains (.gov.in or .nic.in). Never share passwords or OTPs with unauthorized intermediaries.

National Commission for Backward Classes (Central OBC List)
National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC)
https://www.ncbc.nic.in
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
Government of India
https://socialjustice.gov.in
Services India Portal
Digital India
https://services.india.gov.in
?

Frequently Asked Questions: How to Apply for Central Caste Certificate (SC/ST/OBC)

1. What is the difference between a State Caste Certificate and a Central Caste Certificate?
A State Caste Certificate is issued for state reservation quotas (state government jobs and state college admissions) according to state caste lists. A Central Caste Certificate is issued in the specific format prescribed by the Government of India for recruitment to UPSC, SSC, Central PSUs, IITs, IIMs, and central government schemes.
2. Who issues the Central Caste Certificate in India?
The certificate is issued by designated state revenue authorities authorized by the Central Government, including the District Magistrate (DM), Additional District Magistrate (ADM), Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), or Tehsildar.
3. What is the validity period of an SC/ST Caste Certificate?
A Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificate has permanent, lifetime validity throughout India, as caste status does not change with time or income.
4. What is the validity of an OBC Certificate?
While the caste identity itself is permanent, the Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) status for OBC is income-dependent and is generally valid for one financial year (or 3 years depending on central recruiting agency rules). It must be accompanied by an annual income verification.
5. Can a person claim caste reservation in another state if their family migrated?
Under the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, reservation benefits are state-specific. If your family migrated from State A to State B after the presidential notification cut-off date (1950 for SC/ST), you can only claim central benefits or benefits in your state of origin, not state-quota benefits in the migrated state, unless specifically notified.
6. What evidence is required to prove ancestral caste status?
Pre-1950 (or pre-1961/1967 depending on state rules) land revenue records, school admission registers of parents or grandparents, or ancestral caste certificates of blood relatives from the paternal side.
7. Can a child claim caste reservation through the mother's caste?
As a general legal rule, caste is inherited from the father (paternal lineage). However, in exceptional rulings (such as Rameshbhai Dabhai Naika v. State of Gujarat), the Supreme Court held that where a child was raised exclusively by a single tribal/SC mother in her community facing social deprivation, they can be granted the certificate upon evidence.
8. What is the official fee for a caste certificate in India?
The government application fee on state e-District portals is nominal, typically between ₹15 and ₹50.
💬 Was this guide helpful?