How to Get Caste Certificate Online — SC/ST/OBC Certificate State-Wise Process

What is a Caste Certificate?

A Caste Certificate (Jati Praman Patra) is an official government document that certifies a person's caste category — Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), or Other Backward Class (OBC). Issued by state governments through district authorities, it is one of the most important identity documents for accessing reservations in education, employment, and welfare schemes across India.

Every state has its own e-District portal where citizens can apply for a caste certificate online. While the core process is similar, portal names, fees, and processing timelines vary by state. This guide covers the state-wise process for all major states so you can apply from anywhere.

Already familiar with the basics? Read our step-by-step caste certificate guide for the general process.

Why You Need a Caste Certificate

A caste certificate is mandatory for:

• Government job reservations — SC/ST/OBC quota posts in central and state services
• Educational admissions — Reserved seats in schools, colleges, IITs, IIMs, and medical colleges
• Scholarships — Pre-matric, post-matric, and merit scholarships via the National Scholarship Portal
• Government welfare schemes — Housing, subsidies, pension, and financial assistance
• Election candidature — Standing for reserved constituency seats
• Fee concessions and age relaxation in competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, and state PSCs

OBC applicants: For central government benefits, your certificate must include the non-creamy layer clause. Learn more in our OBC/EWS certificate guide.

Documents Required for Caste Certificate

The following documents are accepted across most states:

Tip: If your father or grandfather already holds a caste certificate, attach a copy — it significantly reduces verification time. You may also need a domicile certificate as supporting proof in some states.

Issuing Authority and Validity

• Issuing Authority: Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) or Tehsildar of the applicant's district
• Validity: Permanent in most states (lifetime validity for SC/ST). OBC non-creamy layer certificates are typically valid for one financial year and need renewal
• Jurisdiction: Valid within the issuing state; for central government purposes, the caste must be listed in the Central Government Gazette

State-Wise Online Application Process

Uttar Pradesh — e-District UP

Portal: edistrict.up.gov.in

1. Register on the e-District UP portal using your mobile number
2. Log in and select "जाति प्रमाण पत्र" (Caste Certificate) from the services list
3. Fill the application form with personal, address, and caste details
4. Upload scanned documents (Aadhaar, ration card, affidavit, photographs)
5. Pay the fee of ₹10–₹15 online
6. Submit and note your application number for tracking
7. Certificate is issued by the Tehsildar within 7–15 days

Track your application at the same portal under "Application Status."

Maharashtra — Aaple Sarkar

Portal: aaplesarkar.mahaonline.gov.in

1. Register on the Aaple Sarkar portal with Aadhaar-linked mobile number
2. Navigate to Revenue Department → Caste Certificate
3. Fill the online form with required details
4. Upload supporting documents in prescribed format (PDF/JPEG)
5. Pay the application fee online (varies by category)
6. Application is forwarded to the Tehsildar for verification
7. Certificate is issued within 15–21 days after field inquiry

Bihar — Service Online Bihar (RTPS)

Portal: serviceonline.bihar.gov.in

1. Visit the RTPS (Right to Public Service) portal
2. Select "जाति प्रमाण पत्र का निर्गमन" under General Administration
3. Fill in personal details, caste, and address information
4. Upload Aadhaar card, ration card, and other supporting documents
5. Pay the nominal fee online
6. Certificate is issued by the Circle Officer (CO) or SDM
7. Processing time: 7–15 days under RTPS timeline

Madhya Pradesh — MP e-District

Portal: mpedistrict.gov.in

1. Register on the MP e-District portal
2. Go to Revenue Department services and select Caste Certificate
3. Fill the application form with all required fields
4. Upload documents (Aadhaar, affidavit, family caste proof)
5. Pay the processing fee online
6. Verification is conducted by the Tehsildar or Naib Tehsildar
7. Certificate is delivered within 15–30 days

MP also allows application via Lok Seva Kendra (CSC centers) for those without internet access.

Rajasthan — e-Mitra / Rajasthan e-District

Portal: edistrict.rajasthan.gov.in

1. Visit the Rajasthan e-District portal or nearest e-Mitra kiosk
2. Log in with SSO ID (Jan Aadhaar linked)
3. Select Caste Certificate from the services menu
4. Fill in the application form and upload required documents
5. Pay the fee via e-Mitra or online payment gateway
6. Verification is done by the Patwari and Tehsildar
7. Certificate is issued within 10–15 days

Karnataka — Nadakacheri (Aadhaar-linked)

Portal: nadakacheri.karnataka.gov.in

1. Register on the Nadakacheri portal using Aadhaar
2. Select "Caste/Income Certificate" service
3. Fill the online application form
4. Upload scanned copies of required documents
5. Pay the prescribed fee online
6. Village Accountant conducts field verification
7. Certificate is issued by the Tehsildar within 15–30 days

Karnataka issues combined caste and income certificates through the same portal.

Tamil Nadu — TN e-District

Portal: tnedistrict.tn.gov.in

1. Register on the TN e-District portal
2. Select "Community Certificate" (equivalent of caste certificate in TN)
3. Fill the application with personal details, community, and sub-caste
4. Upload Aadhaar, ration card, and community proof documents
5. Pay the application fee
6. Verification by Revenue Inspector at taluk level
7. Certificate issued by Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) within 15–21 days

In Tamil Nadu, the community certificate serves the same purpose as a caste certificate for all government reservations.

Verification Process

After you submit your application online, the following verification steps take place:

1. Document Scrutiny — The concerned office checks uploaded documents for authenticity
2. Field Inquiry — A revenue official (Patwari, Village Accountant, or Revenue Inspector) visits your locality to verify caste claims through community records
3. Report Submission — The field officer submits a verification report to the issuing authority
4. Certificate Issuance — If everything checks out, the Tehsildar/SDM digitally signs and issues the certificate
5. Digital Download — The approved certificate can be downloaded from the portal with a unique certificate number for online verification

Rejection? If your application is rejected, you will receive reasons on the portal. You can re-apply after addressing the issues or file an appeal with the higher authority (Collector/DM).

Fees and Processing Time Summary

Fees are nominal and vary slightly. Many states offer free caste certificates for first-time SC/ST applicants.

Offline Application Option

If you prefer applying offline or don't have internet access:

1. Visit your nearest Tehsil office, CSC (Common Service Centre), or e-Mitra kiosk
2. Collect the application form and fill it manually
3. Attach self-attested copies of all required documents
4. Submit the form and collect an acknowledgment receipt
5. The processing timeline remains the same as online applications

Tips for Faster Processing

• Attach father's caste certificate — reduces verification time significantly
• Ensure all documents are clearly scanned — blurry uploads cause delays
• Provide correct mobile number — SMS updates are sent for status changes
• Apply from your home district — cross-district applications take longer
• Follow up on the portal — check status regularly and respond to queries promptly

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a caste certificate valid across all states?

A caste certificate is issued by the state government and is primarily valid within that state. For central government jobs and admissions, the caste must be listed in the Central Government Gazette notification for your state.

Can I apply for a caste certificate in a state different from my home state?

No. You must apply in your home state (state of domicile) where your family is originally from. If you have migrated, you still need to apply in your native district.

How long is a caste certificate valid?

SC/ST caste certificates are generally valid for a lifetime. OBC non-creamy layer certificates are usually valid for one financial year and must be renewed annually for central government benefits.

What if my father doesn't have a caste certificate?

You can still apply by providing alternative proof such as a school leaving certificate mentioning your caste, an affidavit on stamp paper, or community verification by the local revenue officer.

Can I get a caste certificate online without visiting any office?

In most states, you can complete the entire application process online. However, a field inquiry by a revenue official is mandatory, so someone may visit your locality for verification. You do not need to visit the office unless specifically asked.

What is the difference between a caste certificate and a community certificate?

In most states, they refer to the same document. Tamil Nadu and some southern states use the term community certificate instead of caste certificate. Both serve the same purpose for reservations and benefits.

Related Guides

• How to Apply for Caste Certificate Online — General step-by-step process
• OBC/EWS Certificate Application Guide — Non-creamy layer and EWS details
• Income Certificate Online Application — Required for OBC non-creamy layer
• Domicile Certificate Online — Often needed as supporting document
• National Scholarship Portal Guide — Use your caste certificate for scholarships