Detailed guide to a caste validity certificate

As defined by the Indian Constitution, a caste certificate serves as proof of membership, mainly if one is a member of one of the “scheduled castes”. In India, a caste certificate is significant for every person, but not all states allow you to apply for one online. A few state government and district administration organisations do not want to sponsor or issue an online application for caste certificates.

A caste validity certificate is crucial regarding the special immunities and benefits of a caste certificate. The certification verifies the accuracy of the caste certificate issued by the state government and assesses an individual’s qualification for caste benefits. The government’s examination procedure ensures a person’s eligibility for caste benefits. 

This exam is conducted more rigorously compared to the caste certificates. It is necessary to provide all the ancestral caste information for verification. You get a caste validity certificate when you apply with appropriate evidence demonstrating the document’s legitimacy. This caste validity supersedes caste certificates. 

However, a caste certificate and a caste validity certificate are different. Then we verify the caste mentioned in the caste certificate using the caste validity certificate. Essentially, it serves as evidence that your caste certificate is authentic.

Caste validity certificate: Format

Here is what you will find in an official caste validity certificate issued by the Indian government.

• Heading

 The heading comprises the name of the institution that has issued this certificate to you. It can be the district magistrate, district office, panchayat or municipality office of that locality. 

• Application number

 You can use this number to match your caste and validity certificates. It is present on the left side of the application.

• Issued date 

The right side shows the date of the application issued.

• Declaration 

A declaration is the main body of the caste validity certificate. It states which caste the applicant belongs to and on which date they applied for this certificate. In the end, it requests the institution to which you submit this certificate to provide you with the benefits. 

• Signature and seal

 The signature and seal of the Indian government provide validation for the caste certificate.

See also: How to get handicap certificate?

Caste validity certificate: How to put in an online application for a caste validity certificate?

The caste validity is a crucial document that can assist you in several ways. Currently, only a small number of state governments offer a caste certificate application process that can only be completed online. The certificate must be applied for in the manner specified, and all necessary original or certified copies of supporting documentation must be together with the application. 

You can also apply online. Visit the official website of the state’s backward class welfare department and follow the below-written process to apply for a caste certificate online.

1. You must go to the relevant government website and download the editable caste validity application form in PDF format to obtain the application form.
2. Go to the caste validation website. Create a new account in the portal or apply through the online form.
3. Complete the form with all the required information, contact information, and identity information.
4. Fill out the form completely and accurately, including your contact and identification information. Name, age, occupation, and address are all included in the data.
5. Check the vital areas to specify the type of document you are producing.
6. Along with the relevant original documents, upload scanned copies.
7. Print the form connected to the required caste certificate documents.
8. The District Caste Certificate Scrutiny Committee in your region is ready to receive your application. After reviewing the validity, the District Caste Certificate Scrutiny Committee will send the caste validity and the E-sign to your registered email address.
9. You can download it from the same website. 

Caste validity certificate: Applying for a caste validity certificate offline

If you are trying to get a government job, you must try to submit an offline caste validity certificate to avoid issues in the future. Here’s how you can do it. 

Request an application for a caste validity certificate at the tehsil or SDM office.

Correctly complete the form and hand it to the officer. Attach a copy of the documents mentioned below. 

Caste validity certificate: Essential documents required

You will need to attach the following documents to the online and offline forms.

• ID verification
• Aadhaar card
• Passport, Voter ID, PAN card, and MNREGA card
• Address proof
• Voter ID
• Driver’s licence
• Passport
• Cost of electricity
• Phone and water bill
• Rent receipt
• Ration card
• Caste certificate affidavit
• Extract from the applicant’s, their father’s, or a relative’s birth record.
• Document from the department of social justice attesting to caste.
• Validity copy of the revenue records or, if a father or relative, a certificate issued by the scrutiny committee.
• Evidence of one’s own or a blood relative’s caste.
• A passage from the applicant’s father’s or another relative’s government service record mentioning the caste or community group.
• Extract from the applicant’s primary school records, those of their father or grandparents.
• A copy of the local panchayat or income records.
• Documentary proof regarding the caste and usual residency before the caste notification date.

Caste validity certificate: When is it required?

A caste validity certificate is mandatory in the following events.

• School enrollment
• Competitive exams
• Scholarships
• University admissions
• Allocation of building sites
• Election candidate
• Working in the reserved category
• Government grants
• Plans for housing and entrepreneurship

Caste validity certificate: Benefits

Certificates of caste validity serve as identifying documents for your caste. Certificates of caste validity have significant probative significance. A caste validity certificate can therefore be utilised as proof in court if a dispute over a person’s caste is at issue.

You will be eligible for all its benefits if you hold a valid caste certificate. Depending on the requirements of the individual, the caste validity certificate’s function may change:

• It establishes a reserved quota for the hiring procedure for public employment.
• SC/ST students can use the caste validity certificate for academic objectives, such as applying for scholarships and high school and college admission.
• Caste Validity Certificates are crucial in identifying a person’s caste. Depending on your caste category, this will enable you to receive various perks.
• The caste validity certificate is also required to enrol in the numerous social programmes the federal government, states, and NGOs offer.
• These privileges may include a limited reduction in the amount of the admission cost, a low qualifying score, or reserved seating. The caste validity certificate aids in obtaining these amenities at a school.
• Caste validity certificates aid in your entrance to several colleges and universities. The government has granted some privileges to OBC, Scheduled caste, and Scheduled Tribes students.
• Caste validity certificates might assist you in obtaining financial aid that will facilitate simple entry to the appropriate high school and college.
• Additionally, it aids in gaining entry to competitive exams. The minimum score needed to pass an entrance exam varies in India, depending on the recognised castes. For Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, and OBC, the mark may change. The caste validity certificate can lower your minimum score to pass a competitive exam.
• You can benefit from a wide range of goods and services with government subsidies.  

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