Quotas in educational institutions, government subsidies, and government schemes are all benefits of having a community certificate or caste certificate in Kerala. Read this blog to learn how to apply for a caste certificate in Kerala.

What Is a Caste Certificate in Kerala?

A caste certificate is evidence of one’s belonging to a particular caste. This Community certificate helps in reservations and availing government subsidies and facilities. In India, a caste certificate serves as an indication as to the ethnic group to which a person belongs. Cast certificates (or) community certificates in Kerala are a part of the reservation system, which gives some socially disadvantaged groups and backward sections of society a leg up in terms of employment and education.

Advantages of Obtaining a Caste Certificate in Kerala

Having a valid caste certificate or community certificate in Kerala helps one obtain:

1. Reservation of in-legislature
2. Reservation in government service employment
3. Concession in fees during admission to schools And colleges
4. Age limit relaxation in various schemes
5. Scholarships

However, to enjoy these privileges, a person needs to belong to a Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe/Other Backward Classes and must have a valid certificate.

How to Get a Caste Certificate in Kerala?

To Get a caste certificate in Kerala, follow these steps:

1. Eligibility Verification: Ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria for obtaining a caste certificate or community certificate in applying online. Typically, you must be a resident of Kerala and belong to a scheduled caste or tribe as recognized by the government.
2. Application Form: Obtain the prescribed application form for a caste certificate from the local Village Office or through the official district Kerala government website.
3. Fill Out the Form: Carefully fill out the application form with accurate information. Make sure to attach all required documents and photographs as mentioned in the form.
4. Document Submission: Submit the completed application form along with supporting documents to the nearest Village Office or Taluk Office. Required documents usually include proof of residence, birth certificate, community certificate of parents, and other relevant documents.
5. Verification Process: After submitting your application, the authorities will conduct a thorough verification process to confirm your eligibility and the accuracy of the information provided.
6. Visit the Tehsildar’s Office: You may be required to visit the Tehsildar’s Office for an interview or verification of your documents. Be prepared to answer any questions related to your caste and background.
7. Fee Payment: Pay the prescribed fee for the caste certificate. The fee amount may vary, so check the current rates at the time of application.
8. Await Approval: Once the verification process is complete and your application is approved, you will receive your caste certificate or community certificate apply online. The time taken for approval may vary depending on the workload of the authorities.
9. Collect the Certificate: Visit the concerned office to collect your caste certificate in person. Ensure that all the details on the certificate are accurate.
10. Renewal: Keep in mind that caste certificates may have an expiry date, so make sure to renew them when required to maintain their validity.

Documents Required for Caste Certificate in Kerala

Given below are the documents needed for the caste certificate:

1. Application form from the Akshaya Centre
2. S.C., S.T., or O.B.C. caste proof of their father, brother, sister or any blood relatives
3. Age proof (PAN card, school certificate, birth certificate)
4. Address proof (voter card, passport, ration card, electricity bill, water bill, telephone bill)
5. Photograph
6. Additionally, mobile Number, email ID, and Aadhar card are compulsory for e-District portal registration
7. Certificate of income

What Is the Fee for Obtaining a Caste Certificate in Kerala?

1. For application through the Akshayacenter ₹18 + ₹ 7 (Govt. Service Charge) + ₹3 for scanning or printing will be applied. The total will come to ₹28.
2. To obtain a community certificate or caste certificate S.C. or S.T. families will have to pay ₹10 + ₹ 2 per page for scanning or printing
3. BPL families would have to pay Rs. 20 for caste certificates.
4. For obtaining a caste certificate through an online application, ₹15 is levied as a fee in district Kerala.

How to Apply Community Certificate or Caste Certificate in Kerala?

To apply for a caste certificate or community caste online one has to go through a 3 stage process, involving 

1. Filing of application details
2. Uploading of  required documents
3. Completing payment and generating acknowledgment receipt

One will be able to get their community certificate or caste certificate issued in Kerala within five days from the date of application, provided that all documentary proofs are submitted. Application for the caste certificate (or) community certificate Kerala is given below

• Step 1: Visit the E-District portal: https://edistrict.kerala.gov.in/

• Step 2: Register on the website by selecting user portal registration.

• Step 3: The page will then redirect you to the next page wherein the applicant has to fill up his details and create a login id and password. The applicant also needs to choose a recovery question.
• Step 4: Once the password and recovery answered are set, enter case-sensitive characters, validate and register.
• Step 5: The applicant will then be able to login to the portal using the created username and password.
• Step 6: Select ‘One-time registration’ after checking ‘transaction history’ on the left tab. Fill all the details and click on the duplicate button. This helps in finding out if the applicant has registered through AkshayaCenters previously and enables them to input the correct details. After a successful duplicate check, click the ‘submit’ button.
• Step 7: Once you click on ‘Submit’ to register. The ‘EDIT’ registration option is available, which allows you to edit the registered details.
• Step 8: Click on ‘Applicant Registration’, the link will redirect you to the next page. Click on duplicate to automatically recheck the duplicate application. Thereafter click on ‘Submit’.
• Step 9: Once the applicant is registered, click on ‘Apply for Certificates.’  https://edistrict.kerala.gov.in/
• Step 10: Input the e-district register number and select the type of certificate (caste certificate). Thereafter, you must select the purpose for which the certificate is required
• Step 11: Input Religion, Category, and Caste details in the fields provided.
• Step 12: Input the applicant name and choose the ‘self’ option from the  relationship drop-down menu
• Step 13: Click on Save. After this applicant will be directed toward the ‘attach document’ section.
• Step 14: Upload certificates like ration cards, affidavits, caste certificates of relation, school certificates, and AADHAR cards.

** Remember to attach only PDF documents. Do note that a maximum size of 100KB per page will be supported.

• Step 15: After the documents are uploaded, you can make the fee payment for the caste certificate.
• Step 16: You can pay the fee by net banking, debit card, credit card, cash-card prepaid, wallets, or IMPS.
• Step 17: After successfully executing the payment, a receipt will be generated, take a print of this receipt.
• Step 18: The applicant can now check the status of ‘Transaction History’ on the left tab. After receiving a ‘certificate issued’ SMS on the mobile number used to log into the district Kerala portal you may download the caste certificate.

Conclusion

It’s essential to follow these steps diligently and provide accurate information to get a community certificate or caste system in Kerala.  Always consult the latest guidelines and requirements as they may change over time.

FAQs

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