A caste certificate is a proof for persons belonging to the reserved categories to avail themselves of the privileges they are entitled to. Read more to find out the process to apply for Digital Caste Certificate.
Digital Caste certificates or Caste certificates are used to grant certain privileges to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes to achieve equality for all citizens. A caste certificate is thus required for a person belonging to the Scheduled Cast or Scheduled Tribe community to receive any such benefits. In this article, we will look at everything you need to know about digital caste certificates.
Why Caste Certificate Required?
In India, caste certificates are required for various purposes, primarily associated with the implementation of reservation policies and affirmative action measures aimed at addressing historical social and economic inequalities. Here are some key reasons why caste certificates are required in India:
Reservation in Education
- Admission to Educational Institutions: Caste certificates are required for individuals seeking admission to educational institutions, especially in government-funded schools, colleges, and universities. Reservations are provided for students belonging to certain castes to promote social inclusion and upliftment.
Reservation in Employment
- Government Jobs: Individuals applying for government jobs often need to provide a diucaste certificate to avail themselves of reservation benefits. Certain positions are reserved for candidates from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC).
- Public Sector Undertakings: Similar to government jobs, public sector undertakings may have reservations based on caste categories. Caste certificates are required during the application process.
Social and Economic Welfare Schemes
- Scholarships and Financial Aid: Caste certificates are necessary for students to apply for scholarships and financial aid schemes offered by the government. These schemes are designed to support individuals from economically and socially disadvantaged backgrounds.
- Housing Schemes: In some states, there are residential quotas for housing schemes based on caste. Caste certificates may be required for availing benefits under such schemes.
Electoral Representation
- Local Body Elections: In local body elections, constituencies may be reserved for candidates belonging to specific castes. Individuals aspiring to contest elections from reserved constituencies need to provide a caste certificate to establish their eligibility.
Social Inclusion and Upliftment
Affirmative Action: Caste certificates play a crucial role in the implementation of affirmative action policies aimed at promoting social justice and inclusion. Reservations are intended to uplift historically marginalized communities.
Prevention of Caste-Based Discrimination
- Legal Identity: Caste certificates provide legal recognition of an individual’s caste identity. This recognition can be important for addressing social and legal issues related to caste-based discrimination.
Community-specific Initiatives
- Community Development Programs: Some government programs and initiatives are specifically targeted at certain castes for their overall development. Caste certificates may be required to participate in such community-specific initiatives.
Land Allotment and Tenancy Rights:
- Agricultural Land Allotment: In some regions, there are provisions for land allotment based on caste. Caste certificates may be required for securing agricultural land for cultivation.
- Tenancy Rights: Caste certificates may be needed to assert tenancy rights in certain areas, especially where there are community-specific tenancy laws.
Documents for Applying for a Caste Certificate
- Completed application form
- Ration card copy
- School leaving certificate or transfer certificate
- Caste certificates or school certificates of parents
- Caste Proof of Self or a Blood Relative
- Any additional proof as required by the authorities
The Process to Apply for a Caste Certificate For BC, SC, or ST Categories
To apply for a caste certificate for BC, SC, or ST categories in Tamil Nadu, follow these steps:
- Go to the official website of the Government of Tamil Nadu: http://www.tn.gov.in/
- Navigate to the “Forms” section on the webpage and click on “More.” Use the search bar to find the “Community Certificate” link.
- Download the application form for the community certificate. Fill in the required information accurately, including:
- Applicant’s name
- Father or Husband’s name
- Gender (Female or Male)
- Residential address
- Ration card number
- Details of community certificate of parents
- Details of school certificates of parents
- Date of application
- After filling in the information, sign the form. Attach the necessary documents to the application.
- Submit the completed and signed form, along with the supporting documents, to the respective revenue talk office.
- The submitted application will undergo processing, and upon successful completion, the community certificate will be issued within 30 days.
For OBC Categories
To apply for a caste certificate for OBC categories in Tamil Nadu, follow these steps:
- Visit the e-Sevai web portal: https://www.tnesevai.tn.gov.in/
- Click on the “Citizen Login” button and enter your correct login username and password.
- Enter the Captcha code and click on the “Login” button.
- Once on the e-Sevai dashboard, click on the “Services” option on the left-hand side.
- From the list of department-wise services, select the “Revenue Department.”
- Click on the “REV-115 Other Backward Classes (OBC) certificate” link, redirecting you to the Tamilnadu e-District web portal.
- Click on “Proceed” to continue.
- The applicant search form will open. Provide the necessary details for the search, including CAN (Common Account Number), Name, Father’s name, Mobile number, Email ID, and Date of Birth. If you already have a CAN, skip to Step 10. Otherwise, register for CAN as explained in the following step.
- To register for CAN, click on “Register CAN,” fill the required details on the form, and click “Register” to submit the CAN form.
- If you’ve registered with CAN, your details will appear in the search results. Click the “Option” button, select the record, and click “Proceed.”
- The “Edit CAN detail” option allows you to edit CAN details if needed. If correct, proceed to the next step.
- The applicant’s details will appear pre-filled in the form (non-editable). Accept the “Declarations” and click “Submit.”
- Attach the required documents with the prescribed file size and type.
- The payments page will display the total fees. Click “Confirm Payment” and then “Print Receipt” to download or print the receipt.
- Click “Submit” to submit the application, which will be saved as a draft. You can view it under the “Saved Application” section, and check the current status using the “Check Status” section.
Advantages of a Caste Certificate
A Digital Caste Certificate is a document that certifies an individual’s belonging to a particular caste or community. In many countries, including India, Digital caste certificates are issued for social and economic reasons. Here are some advantages of having a caste certificate:
Reservation Benefits
- Educational Opportunities: Caste certificates are often used to avail of reservations in educational institutions. Many government-run educational institutions have a certain percentage of seats reserved for individuals belonging to specific castes or communities.
- Government Jobs: In government employment, there are reserved positions for individuals from certain castes. Having a valid caste certificate is a prerequisite for applying under the reserved category.
Financial Assistance
- Scholarships: Various scholarships are available for students from certain castes. Caste certificates are required for applying and qualifying for these scholarships.
- Government Schemes: Some government schemes and financial assistance programs are targeted toward specific communities. Caste certificates are necessary for individuals to avail themselves of these benefits.
Residential and Electoral Benefits
- Residential Quotas: Some states or regions have residential quotas for housing schemes based on caste. Digital Caste certificates are required to claim these residential benefits.
- Electoral Representation: In some cases, constituencies are reserved for candidates from specific castes in local body elections. Caste certificates play a role in determining eligibility for candidacy.
Social Welfare Programs
- Welfare Programs: Digital Caste certificates are essential for accessing various social welfare programs and schemes initiated by the government for the development and upliftment of specific communities.
- Community-specific Initiatives: Some community-specific initiatives, such as those related to healthcare, are targeted based on caste classifications.
Legal Re6cognition
- Legal Identity: Digital Caste certificates provide legal recognition of an individual’s caste identity. This recognition can be important for addressing social and legal issues related to caste-based discrimination.
Protection Against Discrimination
- Anti-Discrimination Measures: In some cases, having a caste certificate or Digital caste certificate can serve as a protective measure against discrimination. Individuals may use the certificate to assert their rights and challenge discriminatory practices.
Check the Status of the Caste Certificate
To check the status of your caste certificate application in Tamil Nadu, visit the Tamil Nadu e-District official website: https://edistricts.tn.gov.in/revenue_report/statusview.html
Please note that you need the application number provided during the submission of your caste certificate application to check the status. If you don’t have the application number, you may contact the relevant department or office where you applied for assistance.
Affidavit for Caste Certificate
The affidavit needs to be duly signed before a Tehsildar.
Caste Proof of Self or a Blood Relative
Any of the following documents can be used to provide proof of caste.
- Extract of record of Government Service from the book where there is mention of the community/ caste category of the father or any other relative of the applicant
- Copy of records of the village panchayat or revenue records
- Document from the Department of Social Justice certifying the caste
- Documentary evidence specifying caste and ordinary place of residence before the date of caste notification
- Extract of Birth Register for the applicant or relative or father of the applicant
- Extract the Primary School Register for the applicant or applicant’s father or applicant’s grandfather
- School Leaving Certificate of primary school for the applicant or the applicant’s father
- Validity Certificate of the applicant’s father or a relative that the scrutiny committee has issued
- Any other document deemed relevant has been issued by an authority vested with this power.
Additional Proof Required for a Caste Certificate
Some cases have been declared as special cases, which require some additional documents of proof to be provided. Here are the cases and the additional documents that will need to be submitted in each case.
- Case 1: The father’s caste certificate is not there – his problem can be solved by providing the caste certificate issued to the blood relative of the applicant.
- Case 2: Women who are married – If they apply for a caste certificate post-marriage, caste proof before marriage needs to be submitted along with the marriage certificate. If there has been a change of name post-marriage, then the Name Change Notification as has been given in the Gazette must be submitted.
- Case 3: Conversion of Religion – Pre-conversion caste proof needs to be provided in such a case.
- Case 4: Migration from another district or state – In such a case, the applicant must provide the caste proof of the father that the district or state has issued from where the applicant migrated.
Conclusion
The digital caste certificate is of much significance for such persons who fall into the reserved categories specified in India’s Constitution. These categories are SC, ST, and OBC, among others. The caste certificate proves the claim of the holder and is essential in cases of receiving privileges and availing schemes. A person can apply for a caste certificate via the portal of the backward class welfare department of the state to which the applicant belongs. To apply for the caste certificate, the applicant must fill out the online application form and provide the necessary proof in digital format or perform the entire process offline.
FAQ’s
How can I digitalize my caste certificate?
Currently, most states in India offer online applications and downloads of caste certificates. However, the process of digitizing previously issued physical certificates might not be available everywhere. Contact your local revenue authorities or caste certificate issuing office for information on digitizing your specific certificate.
Can we download Digital caste certificate ?
Yes, you can download your digital caste certificate online in many states. You will typically need to:
* Visit the official website of your state's revenue department or caste certificate issuing office.
* Register or log in using your credentials. Enter your certificate number and other required details.
* Download the digitally signed certificate.
Is digitally signed caste certificate valid?
Yes, a digitally signed caste certificate is valid and recognized by the government.
What is digital SC certificate?
A digital SC certificate is simply the digital version of the Scheduled Caste certificate, issued to individuals belonging to the Scheduled Caste communities in India. It holds the same validity and legal acceptance as the physical certificate.
How many days it takes to get a caste certificate online?
A digital SC certificate is simply the digital version of the Scheduled Caste certificate, issued to individuals belonging to the Scheduled Caste communities in India. It holds the same validity and legal acceptance as the physical certificate.
Does caste certificate need to be renewed?
Yes, a caste certificate needs to be renewed after its validity period expires. The renewal process may require submitting the necessary documents and paying the prescribed fee.
What is the validity of OBC certificate?
validity of an OBC (Other Backward Class) certificate varies from state to state. In general, it is valid for a period of one year to three years.
What is caste certificate number?
A caste certificate number is a unique identification number assigned to a caste certificate issued by the government.
How do I download my caste certificate?
You can download your digital caste certificate online from the respective state government's website once it is issued.
How do I get a digital certificate?
Several states offer digital certificates for various purposes, including education, professional training, and online courses. The specific process depends on the issuing state authority.
Who can issue a digital certificate?
Digital certificates can be issued by various entities, including educational institutions, government agencies, professional organizations, and online platforms.
How is digital certificate verified?
Digital certificates typically have built-in security features like digital signatures and verification mechanisms to ensure authenticity. The specific verification process depends on the issuing platform.
Can we print the digital certificate?
You can print your digital certificate. However, it's important to note that the printed version might not be considered legally equivalent to the original digital certificate in all cases.
Why digital certificate is required?
Digital certificates offer several benefits, including:
1. Increased security: Digital signatures prevent tampering and ensure document authenticity.
2. Improved accessibility: Accessing and sharing certificates online is convenient and efficient.
3. Reduced fraud risk: Digital certificates are less susceptible to forgery and counterfeiting.
4. Enhanced verification: Online verification mechanisms allow for quick and reliable validation of certificates.
Is a digital certificate good?
Digital certificates offer a secure, convenient and efficient way to manage and verify important documents. They can streamline processes, reduce costs and enhance security in various sectors.
