Who is the competent issuing authority for a caste certificate?

The Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) or Tehsildar of the Revenue Department is the competent issuing authority.

Can a caste certificate be issued based on mother's caste documents?

Under statutory rules, caste status is determined strictly through paternal lineage, requiring father's or paternal forebears' proof.

A pedigree lineage affidavit executed on non-judicial stamp paper of ₹50–₹100 is typically required.

Due to mandatory revenue lineage verification, processing generally takes between 15–30 Days.

No, SC and ST caste certificates have lifetime validity, whereas OBC Non-Creamy Layer income certificates require periodic annual renewal.

जाति प्रमाण पत्र आवेदन (अनुसूचित जाति / जनजाति / अन्य पिछड़ा वर्ग)

Official verification of caste category for educational quota, affirmative action, and welfare benefits.

Assemble Lineage and Caste Proof Records
Gather ancestral land records, grandfather's or father's school transfer certificates, or paternal relatives' pre-existing caste certificates demonstrating community status.
Prepare Pedigree Family Tree Affidavit
Execute a genealogical pedigree (Shajra) affidavit on non-judicial stamp paper of ₹50–₹100 establishing your bloodline connection to your paternal forebears.
Submit Application via State e-District Portal
Submit your application on the state e-District portal or through the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) revenue counter along with proof of permanent residence.
Local Revenue and Community Inquiry
The Revenue Patwari or Tehsildar conducts local verification within the village or municipal ward to confirm hereditary caste status and community acceptance.
Issuance of Certificate by SDM
Upon satisfactory inquiry and verification of ancestral records, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate issues the digitally signed SC, ST, or OBC certificate.

In the applicant block, record your full legal name, father's name, mother's name, and native village/tehsil address.
Under category and caste name, state the exact community name matching the central or state presidential reservation schedule.
In the ancestral lineage section, record your father's and paternal grandfather's full names and ancestral land or village records.
For OBC applicants, complete the Non-Creamy Layer declaration affirming that parental income does not cross the statutory threshold.

Submitting maternal caste records instead of paternal lineage documents; caste in India is strictly traced through paternal lineage.
Failing to provide pre-mandated historical cutoff year proof (such as 1950 for SC/ST or state-specific dates for OBC).
Omitting the family pedigree affidavit on stamp paper of ₹50–₹100 establishing connection to the paternal relative.
Spelling discrepancies between ancestral revenue records and current school or identity documents.

Who is the competent issuing authority for a caste certificate?: The Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) or Tehsildar of the Revenue Department is the competent issuing authority.
Can a caste certificate be issued based on mother's caste documents?: Under statutory rules, caste status is determined strictly through paternal lineage, requiring father's or paternal forebears' proof.
What stamp paper value is required for the pedigree affidavit?: A pedigree lineage affidavit executed on non-judicial stamp paper of ₹50–₹100 is typically required.
How long does it take to process a caste certificate application?: Due to mandatory revenue lineage verification, processing generally takes between 15–30 Days.
Does an SC or ST caste certificate expire?: No, SC and ST caste certificates have lifetime validity, whereas OBC Non-Creamy Layer income certificates require periodic annual renewal.