Caste Certificate Online Apply 2026: Documents, Steps, Fees and Status (All States)
A caste certificate (jati praman patra) is issued by your state government — usually the tehsildar or SDM — not by the Centre. You apply on your state's e-district portal or at a CSC, upload proof of caste and residence, and download the signed certificate once approved. This guide gives the common steps for every state, the main state portals, and the mistakes that most often get applications rejected.
Portal names checked on 19 October 2026. Fees, processing time and exact document lists are fixed by each state and can change; the portal shows the current values before you pay. We do not quote one national fee or time limit because none exists.
At a glance
- Issued by
- State revenue authority (tehsildar / SDM)
- Where to apply
- State e-district portal or CSC
- Needed for
- Scholarships, reservation in jobs & admissions
- Central jobs (OBC)
- Needs central-list OBC + non-creamy layer
What is it?
A caste certificate is an official document that records which caste or tribe you belong to and that the caste is listed as Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe or Other Backward Class for your state. Because these lists are notified state-wise, the certificate is issued by your state's revenue department, usually after a check by the patwari or lekhpal and approval by the tehsildar or SDM. Most states now issue it online with a digital signature or QR code, so a printout from the portal is as valid as a stamped paper. If you want OBC reservation in central government jobs or central institutions, your caste must be in the Central OBC list maintained by the National Commission for Backward Classes, and you also need an OBC non-creamy layer certificate in the central format.
Benefits
With a valid certificate you can apply for SC/ST/OBC scholarships on NSP and state portals, claim reserved seats in admissions and exams, get age and fee relaxation in government recruitment, and qualify for schemes that are limited to these groups. Having it ready early avoids the common last-week rush when a scholarship or exam form is about to close.
Who is affected
- ✓You belong to a caste or tribe notified as SC, ST or OBC for the state where you apply
- ✓You are a resident of that state (rules on how long you must have lived there vary by state)
- ✓For a child, the certificate is usually based on the father's caste; ask your tehsil about exceptions
- ✓For central OBC reservation, your caste must be in the Central OBC list and you must not fall in the creamy layer
What to check
- ✓Aadhaar card of the applicant
- ✓Proof of residence — ration card, voter ID, family register (parivar register) or electricity bill
- ✓Proof of caste — father's or a blood relative's caste certificate, old school record mentioning caste, or land record (khatauni) if the state accepts it
- ✓Self-declaration / affidavit in the state's format, if asked
- ✓Passport-size photograph
- ✓For OBC non-creamy layer: family income details
What to do next
- Open your state portal — Uttar Pradesh: edistrict.up.gov.in · Bihar: serviceonline.bihar.gov.in (RTPS) · Maharashtra: aaplesarkar.mahaonline.gov.in · Rajasthan: emitra.rajasthan.gov.in · Madhya Pradesh: mpedistrict.gov.in. Other states run similar e-district or ServicePlus portals; the nearest CSC (Jan Seva Kendra) can apply for you.
- Register with your mobile number and log in (or visit a CSC with your documents)
- Choose 'Caste Certificate' / 'Jati Praman Patra' under revenue department services
- Fill applicant details exactly as in Aadhaar, along with father's name, caste and sub-caste
- Upload scanned documents in the size and format the portal asks for
- Pay the fee shown on the portal and save the application or reference number
- Track the status with that number; respond quickly if the portal asks for a correction
- Once approved, download the certificate and keep a copy in DigiLocker if your state issues it there
Important dates
There is no national last date for a caste certificate. Each state sets a service time under its public services guarantee law, often a few weeks; the portal shows it. Apply well before your scholarship or exam deadline. Many recruitment notices ask for an OBC non-creamy layer certificate issued within a specific financial year, so check the notice before you apply.
Common mistakes to avoid
- ✓Spelling of name or caste different from Aadhaar or school records — the most common reason for rejection
- ✓Applying in a state where your caste is not notified, or choosing the wrong sub-caste
- ✓Using a state OBC certificate for a central job instead of the central-format non-creamy layer certificate
- ✓Uploading blurred or partly cropped documents
- ✓Paying agents extra to 'speed up' approval — pay only the fee shown on the official portal
Frequently asked questions
How many days does a caste certificate take?
It depends on the state. Each state fixes a service time, often between one and four weeks, and the portal shows it when you apply. Delays usually come from the field verification report.
Is an online caste certificate valid?
Yes. A digitally signed or QR-coded certificate downloaded from the official portal is valid. The verifying office can check it on the portal using the certificate number.
Does a caste certificate expire?
SC and ST certificates are usually valid without renewal, though some offices ask for a recent copy. OBC non-creamy layer status depends on family income, so it is often required to be recent. Check what the scholarship or job notice asks for.
My application was rejected. What now?
Read the rejection reason on the status page, correct the document or detail mentioned, and apply again. If you think it was wrongly rejected, you can appeal to the SDM or the officer named under your state's public services law.