Different social strata have been established in our society, with caste serving as the primary dividing line. The government of India gives “category certificates” to the country’s less privileged residents to prevent caste discrimination and increase the chances that these individuals would have access to basic resources like education, employment, and a comfortable lifestyle.
This article will go through the process of applying for a category certificate, the certification prerequisites, and all other pertinent information.
See also: How to check UP scholarship status?
What is a category certificate?
If you are a member of a “scheduled category” under the Indian Constitution, you will need a category certificate to prove your status. Although category certificates are essential for all Indian citizens, online applications are unavailable in all states. Several state and local governments refuse to issue or facilitate online applications to receive a category certificate.
What are SC/ST/NC-OBC/PWD and EWS certificates?
Candidates from the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, North Central OBC, Persons with Disabilities, and Economically Weaker Sections are required to provide proof of eligibility with their applications. These certificates attest to the candidate’s membership in a certain group. Name, address, and racial group will all be included on the category certificates.
Online application method for category certificate
A small number of states already provide electronic applications for category certifications. Following the procedures below will let you apply for a category certificate online via your respective state’s welfare department:
- Go to your state’s portal for those of lower socioeconomic status.
- Multiple department names are possible in each state.
- To apply for a category certificate online, click the corresponding link.
- To apply, either make a new account on the portal or use the one you already have to fill out the form.
- To access the portal, enter the username and password that you choose during account creation.
- Provide the requested information in the online form, including your name, address, email, phone number, date of birth, gender, local references, and more.
- Read through the conditions and guidelines one more time before hitting the “submit” button on the online form.
- After hitting “submit,” you’ll be prompted to choose the file format of the supporting evidence you just uploaded.
- Scan the documents and click the “Submit” button.
- The application submission acknowledgement sheet will include your application number.
- The acknowledgement sheet is available in both printable and downloadable formats.
- Keep the application number safe so you can check up on its status.
- The category certificate is available for quick download through the internet after successful verification.
- After the process is finished, you may also get a notification through email or text message.
Category certificate offline application procedure
You may get an offline category certificate by going to the Tehsil Office, SDM Office, Revenue Office, or CSC / SETU facility that is located closest to you. The following is a rundown of the steps required to submit an offline application for a category certificate:
- Visit either the Tehsil or SDM department (near your location).
- Obtain a category certificate application and complete it with relevant information like your address and personal details.
- Include your father’s details in the category information field of the certificate.
- You’ll need to provide proof of your category via a certificate or paperwork proving your relationship to the deceased man.
- Indicate your preferred application category by checking the box.
- The form requires you to provide your state of origin if you relocate from another state.
- Then, you’ll need to fill out and verify the self-declaration form.
- Ensure you include a passport-sized picture of yourself and your local contact for verification.
- Submit the application and the necessary self-attested documents to the officer after you have completed it.
- The office usually needs between 30 and 35 days to issue the category certificate.
Documents required for category certificate
A category certificate can only be issued with the required paperwork. The VJ, NT, SBC, SC, SC, OBC, and ESBC categories all use identical paperwork. Additional proof papers are required if you’re a woman, have just been married, have changed your state of residence, or have converted your religion.
The following is a list of the mandatory paperwork that is necessary to get a category certificate:
-
Identity Proof
- Aadhaar Card
- Driving Licence
- Voter ID
- Passport
- PAN Card
- MNREGA Card
- RSBY Card
-
Address Proof
- Aadhaar Card
- Voter ID
- Driving Licence
- Passport
- Electricity Bill
- Water Bill
- Telephone Bill
- 7/12 Extract
- Rent Receipt
- Ration Card
-
Category Certificate Affidavit
-
Proof of Self-category
- Primary school registration record for applicant or applicant’s father or grandparents.
- A high school diploma of either the applicant or his father.
- One’s own or a close relative’s birth certificate.
- Category/Community category information from the applicant’s father or relative’s Public Service Record (book).
- The relevant Department of Social Justice certificate.
- An examination board offers verification of paternity or kinship.
- Documents proving income or from the local village council.
- Verifiable records establishing category and residence status before the category announcement date.
- Additional supporting documentation is presented by an authoritative source.
Additional documents required for category certificate
In a few specific cases, more supporting paperwork is required. The following list contains every piece of documentation that may be required for any given scenario.
-
Not having a father’s category proof
In this situation, one must submit all of the relevant evidence on their blood relatives’ birth certificates.
-
Married women
To be eligible for a category certificate after being married, a person must demonstrate that they belonged to the appropriate category before getting married and provide a copy of their marriage certificate. One must submit a “Name Alter Notification” form to the Gazette if they decide to change their name after getting married.
-
Religion conversion
It is necessary to do eligibility checks on a person who has switched to another faith before considering them for enrollment.
-
Migration from one state or district to another
If you moved here from one state or district to another, you’d need to produce proof of your father’s category, which may be obtained from the district or state from where you originally hailed.
Category certificate advantages
- When one has a valid category certificate, they are entitled to all of the perks that come with that certificate.
- They will be able to enjoy the benefits of quotas in schools, colleges, universities, and employment if they have a category certificate, regardless of whether they belong to the OBC, NT, SC, ST, or VJ community or another category group.
- Using this category certificate may help one qualify for various advantages, including government scholarships, school loans, and other financial aid.
FAQs
Is the caste certificate the same as the category certificate?
There is no difference between a caste certificate and a category certificate.
What's the OBC category?
The Other Backward Castes (OBC) are a group of communities that are positioned lower on the economic and social ladder. Still, they are not afforded the same privileges as members of the SC or ST categories. There is a 27% quota for people of other backward classes in all government agencies and educational institutions.
What is the general category?
Anyone who doesn't identify as part of a certain religious or racial group is included in this broad category. They often have greater resources or support from society.
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