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Caste Certificate (SC, ST, OBC)
A certificate from the state revenue authority confirming that a person belongs to a notified Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe or Other Backward Class. It is needed to claim reservation in education, jobs and schemes.
The short answer
A certificate from the state revenue authority confirming that a person belongs to a notified Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe or Other Backward Class. It is needed to claim reservation in education, jobs and schemes.
Source: revenue.delhi.gov.in, checked 28 Sep 2026.
Official fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Delhi (OBC) | Free |
| Other states | Free to ₹60, see state table |
Checked on 27 Sep 2026 Source
Documents to keep ready
Tick what you already have. The shared list shows each one as ready or pending.
How to apply
- Log in to your state portal or visit a service centre
- Choose SC, ST or OBC certificate
- Fill in family and caste details
- Upload proofs, especially a paternal relative's certificate
- Attend verification by the revenue officer
- Download the digitally signed certificate
By state
This fee is set by each state, so it differs. Each row shows whether we matched it to the official government site.
| State | Fee | Time | Where to apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi | FreeChecked on 28 Sep 2026 Source | OBC 14 days, SC/ST 60 days | edistrict.delhigovt.nic.inOBC needs continuous stay in Delhi since 1993; issued by SDM |
| Maharashtra | ₹40 + service chargeChecked on 28 Sep 2026 Source | 45 days (caste), 21 days (non creamy layer) | Aaple SarkarIssued by SDO; validity check by caste scrutiny committee. Aaple Sarkar Seva Kendra adds a service charge (about ₹33.60 total online; charges revised Apr 2025) |
| West Bengal | FreeChecked on 28 Sep 2026 Source | 4 weeks | castcertificatewb.gov.inCounted from submission of all papers; issued by SDO |
| Tamil Nadu | ₹60Checked on 28 Sep 2026 Source | No time limit published by the state. Track your application status on TN e-Sevai. | TN e-SevaiCalled community certificate; issued by Tahsildar, ST by RDO |
| Karnataka | ₹25Checked on 28 Sep 2026 Source | 21 days (Sakala) | NadakacheriCaste and caste cum income certificates issued by Tahsildar; 21 day limit from a secondary source |
| Telangana | ₹45Unverified estimate Unofficial source | No time limit published by the state. Track your application status on MeeSeva. | MeeSevaIssued by Tahsildar or MRO; official MeeSeva charge list did not load |
| Gujarat | ₹20Unverified estimate Unofficial source | No time limit published by the state. Track your application status on digitalgujarat.gov.in. | digitalgujarat.gov.inIssued by Mamlatdar; OBC is called SEBC in the state |
| Uttar Pradesh | ₹15 self online; ₹30 at Jan Seva Kendra/CSCUnverified estimate Unofficial source | About 15 to 20 days | edistrict.up.gov.inFee and time from secondary guides; official fee list not reachable |
| Bihar | FreeChecked on 28 Sep 2026 Source | 10 working days | serviceonline.bihar.gov.inno government fee on RTPS; CSC may charge a service fee |
| Rajasthan | No official fee publishedNot officially verified Source | No time limit published by the state. Track your application status on sso.rajasthan.gov.in. | sso.rajasthan.gov.inApply via e-Mitra kiosk or SSO; e-Mitra rate list not reachable |
| Madhya Pradesh | Free on citizen portal; Lok Seva Kendra charges a service feeUnverified estimate Unofficial source | No time limit published by the state. Track your application status on mpedistrict.gov.in. | mpedistrict.gov.inCovered by MP Lok Seva Guarantee Act 2010; exact kendra charge and time not verified |
| Haryana | No official fee publishedNot officially verified Source | No time limit published by the state. Track your application status on saralharyana.gov.in. | saralharyana.gov.inApply on Saral with Family ID (PPP); fee not verified |
| Chhattisgarh | No official fee publishedNot officially verified Source | No time limit published by the state. Track your application status on edistrict.cgstate.gov.in. | edistrict.cgstate.gov.inApply through a Lok Seva Kendra or CSC. No fee or time limit is listed on the official pages we checked. |
| Uttarakhand | No official fee publishedNot officially verified Source | No time limit published by the state. Track your application status on edistrict.uk.gov.in. | edistrict.uk.gov.inApply at the tehsil e-District centre or a CSC. No fee or time limit is listed on the official pages we checked. |
| Goa | FreeChecked on 2 Oct 2026 Source | 10 days | goaonline.gov.inIssued by the Mamlatdar or Collectorate; 10 days under the Citizen's Charter; no fee per the district page |
| Chandigarh | Nil (facilitation charge)Checked on 2 Oct 2026 Source | 9 working days (30 for a certificate from another state) | sampark.chd.nic.inSC and BC/OBC bonafide certificates. Court fee of ₹1.25 and a ₹5 stamp paper affidavit are also asked |
| Himachal Pradesh | No official fee publishedNot officially verified Source | No time limit published by the state. Track your application status on edistrict.hp.gov.in. | edistrict.hp.gov.inSC/ST certificate is on the e-District service list. No fee or time limit is listed on the official pages we checked. |
| Jammu and Kashmir | No official fee publishedNot officially verified Source | No time limit published by the state. Track your application status on jansugam.jk.gov.in. | jansugam.jk.gov.inIssued by the Tehsildar of your tehsil. No fee or time limit is listed on the official pages we checked. |
| Kerala | No official fee publishedNot officially verified Source | 3 working days | edistrict.kerala.gov.inCommunity certificate at the village office or an Akshaya centre; time as stated by the department. No fee is listed there. |
| Andhra Pradesh | No official fee publishedNot officially verified Source | No time limit published by the state. Track your application status on gramawardsachivalayam.ap.gov.in. | gramawardsachivalayam.ap.gov.inFee and time not listed on the official pages we checked |
| Punjab | No official fee publishedNot officially verified Source | No time limit published by the state. Track your application status on eservices.punjab.gov.in. | eservices.punjab.gov.inFee and time not listed on the official pages we checked |
| Odisha | No feeChecked on 2 Oct 2026 Source | 15 days (SC, ST, OBC, SEBC) | edistrict.odisha.gov.inIssued under the Odisha Right to Public Services rules; the revenue department's service table lists no fee |
| Assam | ₹30 service charge (at a public facilitation centre)Not officially verified Source | 30 working days | sewasetu.assam.gov.inAs shown on the Sewa Setu service page; not on the official fee table |
| Jharkhand | No official fee publishedNot officially verified Source | 30 days | jharsewa.jharkhand.gov.inApply on JharSewa; time as stated on the portal. No fee is listed there. |
Applying online is usually free. Service centres may charge a small service fee; ask before paying.
Need a certificate for the 10% EWS reservation? EWS certificate
OBC? Get the non-creamy layer certificate. OBC non-creamy layer certificate
Good to know
- For central government jobs and central institutions, OBC candidates need the non creamy layer certificate in the central format
- The central creamy layer income limit is ₹8 lakh a year, as set by DoPT
- A state OBC list and the central OBC list can differ; check your caste is in the list you are applying under
- Giving false caste details is an offence and the certificate can be cancelled
After you apply
What to do once the form is submitted: where to track it, how long it takes, why it gets rejected and what the law says if you do not have it.
Track your application
- Track your application on your state e-District portal. The state portal is listed in the state table on this page; services.india.gov.in is the national services page
- UMANG app for e-District services in many states
Typical time
About 14 to 45 days, depending on the state and category
Not officially verified
If you do not have it or miss the deadline
There is no fine for not having a caste certificate. You only cannot claim reservation in education, jobs and schemes. Giving false information or false documents to get one can lead to cancellation and criminal action under state rules and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, but we could not confirm the exact section or amount from an official source.
Law: State rules (varies by state)
Not officially verified
Common reasons for rejection and how to fix them
| Reason | How to fix it |
|---|---|
| Your caste or tribe is not in the state's official list, or the spelling differs | Check the exact name in the state's notified list and use it in the form. |
| No proof of caste such as father's or family caste certificate or old school record | Attach the oldest school record or a relative's certificate that shows the caste. |
| Proof of residence in the state at the cutoff year is missing (needed in many states for SC and ST) | Attach old land, ration or school records as your state asks. |
| OBC applicants: income or creamy layer proof missing | Attach the income proof needed for the non creamy layer certificate. |
| Field verification or hearing was not completed | Reply to the officer's notice and be present for the hearing or visit. |
Not officially verified
Govt License is an independent guide. Fines and rules change, so confirm on the official portal. Items marked Not officially verified could not be checked on an official page.
Free formats you may need
Printable samples you can copy, fill in and print. Each is only a sample, so check it with the issuing office.
Common questions
Is an OBC certificate valid for central jobs?
Only if it is in the central government format and shows you are not in the creamy layer. A state format certificate may not be accepted.
Does a caste certificate expire?
SC and ST certificates are usually valid for life. OBC non creamy layer status depends on income, so a recent certificate is often asked for.
Can a married woman get a caste certificate?
Yes, caste is based on birth, so it is issued based on her father's caste, not her husband's.
Aksar pooche jaane wale sawaal
Yahi jaankari, Hinglish mein.
Jati praman patra (caste certificate) kaise banaye?
Your state e-district or service portal par apply karein. Steps: Log in to your state portal or visit a service centre; Choose SC, ST or OBC certificate; Fill in family and caste details; Upload proofs, especially a paternal relative's certificate.
Jati praman patra (caste certificate) banane mein kitna fees lagta hai?
Jati praman patra (caste certificate) ki fees har state mein alag hai. Upar 'Your state' mein apna state chunein. Kuch states: Delhi: Free; Uttar Pradesh: ₹15 self online; ₹30 at Jan Seva Kendra/CSC; Bihar: Free; Madhya Pradesh: Free on citizen portal; Lok Seva Kendra charges a service fee.
Jati praman patra (caste certificate) ke liye kaun se documents chahiye?
Yeh documents taiyaar rakhein: Aadhaar or other photo ID; Proof of residence in the state; Caste certificate of father or a paternal relative, if any; School leaving certificate or old records showing caste; Affidavit or self declaration; Family income proof (for OBC non creamy layer).
Jati praman patra (caste certificate) kitne din mein milta hai?
Aam taur par: About 14 to 45 days, depending on the state and category.
Jati praman patra (caste certificate) ka application status kaise check karein?
Official link par application ya reference number daalkar status dekhein. Link upar 'After you apply' mein diye hain: Track your application on your state e-District portal. The state portal is listed in the state table on this page; services.india.gov.in is the national services page, UMANG app for e-District services in many states. Apply karne ke baad kam se kam utna time rukein: About 14 to 45 days, depending on the state and category.
Jati praman patra (caste certificate) ka application reject ho jaye to kya karein?
Portal par likhi wajah padhein, galat ya dhundhle document badalkar dobara apply karein. Sabse aam wajah aur unka solution upar 'After you apply' mein diye gaye hain. Jahan 'Not officially verified' likha hai wahan official site se pakka kar lein.
Bina Jati praman patra (caste certificate) ke pakde gaye to kya hoga?
Aam taur par nahi, Jati praman patra (caste certificate) na hone par seedha koi jurmana nahi hai (State rules (varies by state)). Lekin kai sarkari kaam ya faayde ke liye yeh zaroori ho sakta hai.
Sources: revenue.delhi.gov.in revenue.delhi.gov.in aaplesarkar.mahaonline.gov.in aaplesarkar.mahaonline.gov.in wbxpress.com (secondary)
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