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Documents required for caste certificate (SC/ST/OBC) — 2026 checklist

Documents for SC/ST/OBC caste certificate. Father's caste cert + family lineage + residence + identity. Plus migration certificate for inter-state movers.

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—documents:caste-certificate [2026/04/25 18:55] (current) – created - external edit 127.0.0.1
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 +{{htmlmetatags>metatag-keywords=(caste certificate documents, sc certificate documents, st certificate documents, obc certificate documents, caste certificate apply)
 +metatag-description=(Documents for SC/ST/OBC caste certificate. Father's caste cert + family lineage + residence + identity. Plus migration certificate for inter-state movers.)}}
 +
 +====== Documents required for caste certificate (SC/ST/OBC) — 2026 checklist ======
 +
 +{{page>snippets:dpdp-banner}}
 +
 +<WRAP info>**Direct answer.** Caste certificate (SC/ST/OBC) requires lineage proof tracing your caste through the **paternal line**. Apply to Tehsildar/SDM with documents below. Issued under Constitution Articles 341/342 + state Caste Certificate Rules. **Free** in most states; nominal Rs. 10-50 fee in some.</WRAP>
 +
 +===== Mandatory documents =====
 +  * **Application form** — State-specific (downloadable from state e-District portal)
 +  * **Father's caste certificate** — Mandatory base proof; if father is deceased, grandfather's
 +  * **Self & family identity proof** — Aadhaar + Voter ID + ration card
 +  * **Residence proof** — Aadhaar / Electricity bill / Voter ID / property tax receipt
 +  * **Birth certificate** — For DOB and parent identification
 +  * **Affidavit** — Self-declaration of caste + lineage; on Rs. 10 stamp paper, notarised
 +  * **Two passport-size photos** — White background, recent
 +
 +===== Optional / situational documents =====
 +  * **Migration certificate** — For families that migrated from one state to another (caste certificate of state of origin)
 +  * **School TC + Class 10 marksheet** — Mentioning caste — supplementary proof
 +  * **Mother's caste certificate** — Some states require for cross-caste verification
 +  * **Adoption deed** — For adopted children — to claim biological parent's caste in some states
 +  * **Tribal welfare officer's certificate** — For ST in scheduled areas
 +
 +===== Specifications + key rules =====
 +  * **SC certificate** — only for those listed in Constitutional SC Order for that state.
 +  * **ST certificate** — only for those listed in Constitutional ST Order for that state. Some tribes are scheduled in some states only.
 +  * **OBC certificate** has 2 types: **Central** (NCL/non-creamy-layer based on Rs. 8 lakh income) and **State** (state OBC list, separate income criteria).
 +  * **Validity** — SC/ST permanent; OBC needs renewal every 1-3 years for non-creamy-layer recertification.
 +  * **Inter-state migration** — original-state certificate not auto-valid in new state; need migration certificate or fresh application.
 +  * **Patwari / Patwari report** — field verification by revenue official; mandatory for ST in scheduled areas.
 +
 +===== Where to apply =====
 +Tehsildar / SDM office OR online via state e-District portal (e.g., e-District UP, %%MeeSeva%% AP, e-Sevana TN, etc.).
 +
 +→ Official source: [[https://services.india.gov.in/service/detail/apply-online-for-caste-certificate-1|https://services.india.gov.in/service/detail/apply-online-for-caste-certificate-1]]
 +
 +===== If you don't have all documents =====
 +If your caste claim is rejected, file RTI for the rejection reasoning under §4(1)(d) + appeal to District Magistrate. Strict scrutiny per Madhuri Patil v. ADC Tribal (SC 1994).
 +
 +→ Use our **[[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/ai-rti-draft-app.html|🪄 AI RTI Drafter]]** to generate a free §6(1) application asking for the rejection reason in 60 seconds.
 +
 +===== Frequently asked questions =====
 +  * **Q: I am from inter-caste marriage — what caste for my child?** — Generally father's caste applies in India for legal purposes. But in some matriarchal communities (Khasi, Garo), mother's lineage prevails.
 +  * **Q: Validity period of caste certificate?** — SC/ST: lifetime. OBC NCL: 1-3 years (state-specific).
 +  * **Q: Inter-state migration — do I need fresh certificate?** — Yes — caste certificate is state-specific for SC/ST (Const. Articles 341/342). Apply at new state with migration certificate.
 +  * **Q: NRI of Indian SC/ST origin — can I claim caste benefit?** — Yes for India-based services if Indian citizenship maintained; not for NRI-status applications.
 +  * **Q: My father's caste certificate is missing/lost — how to apply?** — Apply for father's duplicate first OR submit grandfather's certificate + sworn affidavit.
 +
 +===== Summary + next steps =====
 +
 +  - **Gather mandatory documents** above before applying — saves a re-visit
 +  - **Apply via official portal** (link above) — no agent needed
 +  - **Track status**: see our [[:check-status:start|status-check guides]]
 +  - **If rejected for "documents inadequate"**: request specific deficiency under §4(1)(d) RTI Act
 +  - **For state-specific guidance**: see [[:state-rti-portals-directory|state portals directory]]
 +
 +===== All RTI Wiki tools (free, no login) =====
 +
 +  * 🪄 **[[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/ai-rti-draft-app.html|AI RTI Drafter]]** — type problem, get §6 application
 +  * 🎤 **[[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/awaaz-rti.html|AwaazRTI]]** — voice-to-RTI in 11 Indian languages
 +  * 🔮 **[[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/rti-outcome-predictor.html|Outcome Predictor]]** — score draft win-likelihood
 +  * ⚖️ **[[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/first-appeal-app.html|First Appeal Generator]]** — §19(1) draft on Day 31
 +  * 📅 **[[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/timeline-calculator-app.html|Timeline Calculator]]** — track 30-day window
 +
 +===== Related on RTI Wiki =====
 +
 +  * **State-by-state**: [[:scheme-state:caste-certificate:start|Caste Certificate across all 36 states]]
 +  * **If rejected, file RTI**: [[:rti-for-caste-certificate-delay|Full RTI guide]]
 +  * **Citizen RTI playbook**: [[:citizen-rti-playbook|All 100+ scenarios]]
 +  * **All documents checklists**: [[:documents:start|All 30 checklists]]
 +
 +===== Sources =====
 +
 +  * Statutory references: as cited in Specifications above
 +  * Official portal: linked in "Where to apply" above
 +  * RTI Act 2005 §§4, 6, 7, 19
 +
 +//Last reviewed: 25 April 2026.//
 +
 +{{tag>caste certificate documents-checklist citizen-help}}