Community certificates indicate membership in a particular community to prove that a person belongs to a specific caste. As per the Indian constitution, the government considered that Other Backward Castes (OBCs), Scheduled Castes (SC), and Scheduled Tribes (ST) needed exceptional opportunities to advance equally with the rest of the population.
This group of citizens has been granted a special privilege due to India’s discrimination protection system. It includes quotas for job quotas, government and legislative seats, exemptions from college and school entry fees, lowered age requirements for certain occupations, and more.
A citizen must belong to one of the following groups: scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, or other regressive classes. He must possess a valid caste certificate as additional proof. As a result of this assistance, the government of India publishes a list of the castes and groups that fall into this category. However, quotas and grade concessions differ among these groups and castes.
Community certificate: Objectives of obtaining a community certificate
As a general rule, caste certificates are issued in order to facilitate the application process for government positions and services reserved for scheduled castes and tribes, such as the RBI, railway exams, bank exams, jobs, etc. for the State and Central Government.
The State or Central Government also provides them with educational facilities, IIT, IIMs, competitive exams like JEE Mains, NEET, etc., and other services to which they must obtain admission.
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Below are some additional benefits of obtaining a community certificate.
- To obtain a reservation of seats in the legislature.
- For the waiver of admissions fees for schools and colleges.
- To qualify for specific government-funded scholarship programs.
- For receiving Government subsidies.
- To take advantage of specific government-sponsored programs.
- There are several banks and government jobs that reserve seats for reserved category students at particular positions.
Community certificate: Documents required
To apply for a community certificate, applicants must provide proof of citizenship and community through the family.
ST/ SC community certificate
- Application form
- Aadhaar Number can be used as identity proof if it is not available, such as a passport, driving license, or voter registration card.
- The SC/ST certificate of the father, sister, brother, or blood relative from the paternal side of the family.
- If the woman is married, she must produce evidence of marriage.
- Provide proof of residence, such as a voter identification card, water bill, electric bill, or telephone bill.
- Document as proof of birth (Bonafide certificate or Birth certificate or passport)
For ST/ SC community certificate.
OBC community certificate
- Application form
- In case it is available, a copy of the OBC certificate of the father, brother, sister, or blood relative from the paternal side of the family.
- The applicant must provide two attestations by an MP, ML council or gazetted officer declaring their caste.
- Proof of residence, such as a voter identification card, water bill, electric bill, or telephone bill.
- Proof of Income like salary slip, Form 16, ITR, etc.
- Application fee.
Community certificate: How to apply for a caste certificate?
You can get your community/caste certificate in India at the SDM or the revenue department’s regional office. Before issuing a new OBC caste certificate to a particular family, a thorough neighbourhood check is performed.
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Community certificates can be obtained in two ways:
- Offline
- Online
Online application for community/caste certificate
With everything now available online, students from backward castes must have a community certificate. A community certificate application can be submitted electronically through the National Portal of India.
Step 1 – Check out the Welfare Website for the State’s Backward Classes. Individual states may use different names for their departments.
Step 2 – Click on “Online Caste Certificate Application”.
Step 3 – Create a new account to complete the online application form. After making an account, log in with the username and password.
Step 4 – Complete the online form with your address, contact information, personal information, local references, etc.
Step 5 – Ensure that the scanned copies of documents are uploaded and click the “Submit” button.
Step 6 – A copy of the acknowledgement slip and the application number will be sent to you once the application has been submitted.
Step 7 – Upon successful verification, you can download your caste certificate from the portal.
Offline application for community/caste certificate
Caste certificates can be obtained offline by visiting a Tehsil Office, Revenue Office, SDM Office, or CSC / SETU centre in your area. Here are the steps to follow for obtaining a caste certificate in person.
The processes that must be followed to apply for a caste certificate offline are included below.
Step 1 – To apply for a community certificate offline, applicants must approach their centre’s SDM/DC office.
Step 2- Approach the Tehsil or SDM office (near your location)
Step 3- Please fill out an application for a caste certificate and include your full name, address, and contact information.
Step 4- Mark the box corresponding to your caste and sign the self-declaration form to declare your caste officially.
Step 5- Put your passport-size photo in the application form and submit the original form along with the required self-attested documents to the officer of the local Tehsil for further verification.
Note: After you apply for a community certificate, it can take up to 15 days to get ready. Your community certificate will be mailed to you at your permanent address. Even if you apply online, only some states give you an online Community Certificate.
FAQs
Are community certificates and caste certificates the same?
Although caste can also be called a community in some states, both terms refer to the same thing in the government sector, such as educational institutions and government jobs.
Do OBC certificates work throughout the country?
A certificate issued under the official OBC list of the central government is valid across India. If you possess an OBC Certificate that appears on the state's list, it is only valid within the state.
What kind of castes fall under the general group?
Generally, anyone who does not fall within SC/ST/OBC or religious communities falls into this category. They usually have more financial or social support.
I would like to apply for a community certificate. How do I do that?
A candidate must apply for a community certificate via the Indian government's website or by visiting a nearby Seva Kendra to submit an application form.
Is it possible to keep my caste after I get married?
Yes, Caste must always only have the father’s name because it is based on birth. Just use the certificate as it is. Please remember that your husband is in the general group, so you can only get the benefits of the reservation.
