What’s the purpose of caste certificate in India?

Know about the Caste Certificate and when it is Required or Mandatory by Law.

For the ones in India who belong to the reserved groups of Scheduled Caste (SC), Other Backward Class, and Scheduled Tribe (ST). A certificate of caste is extremely important (OBC). It serves as proof of their eligibility as and when required, particularly when it comes to the paybacks and initiatives provided by the Indian government. With a caste certification, you can get advantages in education enrolment, entrance examinations, jobs, state subsidies, and grants. And in this blog, we will talk about the purpose of caste certificate and the following,

1. How do you receive a certificate of caste?
2. What is the process for obtaining a caste registration? 
3. Who is responsible for the certificate of caste?
4. Where does one go to apply for it? 
5. What is the relevant paperwork for obtaining a caste registration?

This post provides solutions to all of these queries. So, are you ready to learn everything related to the need for a certificate of caste in India? Read on! 

Authorities that can help you obtain a caste certification 

While most people believe that a certificate of caste is granted by the Indian government, the truth is that it is usually issued by state and local government-approved authorities, like Sub-Divisional Officers or Tehsildars. The authorities in charge of providing services may differ from state to state. People interested in obtaining a caste certification should contact the designated officials in their local places of permanent resident status.

Why Caste Certificate Is Important?

 Purpose of Caste certificates could be very important in certain cases. Here are a few instances where you might need to provide a valid caste certificate in India :

1. Admissions to schools
2. Admissions to colleges
3. Exams that are competitive
4. Grants
5. Reserved category profession
6. Government assistance
7. Programs for housing and self-employment
8. Site selection for residential
9. Election as a candidature

The Procedure for Obtaining a Caste Certificate 

Now that you are aware of the  of purpose of caste certificates in certain places, here is a detailed procedure of obtaining one in India. 

1. What are the procedures for obtaining a caste certificate? 
2. Is there an online or offline application process?
3. Is there an online or in-person application process?

These are some of the most typical questions that people have while asking for a caste certificate. The application process differs from state to state because the certificate is given by the governments of the individual states and union territories. While some states allow applicants to apply both online and offline, others prefer simply to apply online. 

While most states use an online application process, below are some examples that show the state websites where you can apply for a caste certificate. The procedure is straightforward. If you meet the qualifying conditions, you can apply online and pay the needed cost to obtain a caste certification.

Some Examples of where you can obtain a caste certificate in India are :

1. Andhra Pradesh Government’s MEESEVA application where the Revenue department provides a caste certificate.  https://ap.meeseva.gov.in/IMeeSeva2/IMeesevaHome.aspx
2. Bihar Government’s RTPS Portal where the circle office or SDO office provides a caste certificate.
3. Chhattisgarh State website, where the tehsildar or talukdar provides a caste certificate.
4. Samagra website of Madhya Pradesh, where the circle office provides the caste certificate.
5. e – Mitra portal of Rajasthan, where block or revenue officer provides caste certificates.

These are some of the state websites or portals where an online form can be submitted easily and quickly.

Offline Version of the Application 

A purpose of Caste Certificate is evidence of one’s caste membership, particularly if one belongs to one of the ‘Scheduled Castes’ as defined by the Indian Constitution. While caste certifications are vital for everyone in India, you cannot apply for one electronically in all states. A few state government and district administration agencies are unwilling to issue or support an online system for caste certifications. Some states, however, require you to fill out both real and virtual forms. 

The applicants can then apply for a caste certificate at one of the following offices in the area:

1. Collector Office
2. Tehsildar Office
3. SDM Office 
4. Revenue Office 
5. Citizen Service Centres
6. SETU (Citizen Facilitation Centre in India / Arogya Setu) centers

Important Documents for Acquiring a Caste Certification 

You must attach certain relevant paperwork to your application for a caste certificate online, or your application will be denied. The list of documents that must be attached varies by state. The list of essential documents to submit with your caste certification application is shown below:

1. Identity Verification :

1. Permanent Account Number
2. Aadhar Card
3. Driving License Card
4. Voter ID Card
5. Any Government or semi-government-issued card

2. Address Verification : 

1. Aadhar Card
2. Voter ID card
3. Driving License
4. Electricity Bill
5. Water Bill
6. Ration Card

3. Caste Certification Declaration

4. Self-Proof of Caste or Family Relationship :

1. Copy from the applicant’s or his Parent’s birth certificate
2. A copy from the Government Service Register (book) mentioning the applicant’s parent or relative’s caste or community category.
3. Copy from the claimant’s or his father’s or grandfather’s primary school records
4. Replicate tax records or records of the panchayat samiti

5. Income statements.

6. Land-related evidence.

Request a Caste Validation Certificate 

A caste certificate’s validity depends on the state. It is usually valid for the rest of your life. However, in some places, the validity is limited to a specific time period, such as three years. The validity of the caste certificate is stated on the certificate itself for those who obtain it.

1. Request a caste validity certificate application form from the Taluks or SDM department.
2. Correctly complete the paperwork and submit it to the investigator. 
3. The certificate could take a couple of months to arrive.

Conclusion

Simply put, charges for caste certificates are determined differently in each state. While some states charge an application or service fee, others do not charge anything at all. The caste certificate online fees depend on the state. This sum could be anywhere between ₹10 to ₹ 500. After filing an application online, candidates can track the progress of their application through the same website. Additionally, if the certificate is accepted, it can be easily downloaded from the portal.

Other Related Articles

• SC Caste Certificate Validity
• Caste Certificate Cost
• How to Check OBC Certificate Status?