What is Category Certificate? Complete Guide

Category certificate is a confirmation certificate given to people denoting their category, specifically for citizens belonging to the scheduled categories, as mentioned in the Indian Constitution. The category certificate is given to those belonging to the reserved categories like Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe in keeping with the Indian Constitution.

What is a Category Certificate?

The Indian citizens have been divided into a number of categories by the Indian Constitution. The categories include the General or unreserved category (UR), Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), backward classes such as Extremely Backward Classes (EBC) and Other Backward Classes (OBC), Economically Weaker Section (EWS), and Physically Handicapped (PH).

All the categories other than the ‘General’, fall under the reserved category. These categories are entitled to a certificate from the respective government of the state or the union territory. This certificate is called the Category Certificate or Caste Certificate.

Why is Category Certificate Important?

An individual belonging to one of the reserved categories, is entitled to enjoy certain benefits as pre-fixed by the Constitution of India. These benefits vary between the categories. A person holding the category or caste certificate can enjoy these benefits in the academic as well as professional fields.

For example, in the school, college, and university-levels, a percentage of seats are reserved for specific categories. Fees concessions and scholarships are also available. Students holding an authentic category or caste certificate can enjoy all these privileges.

How to Apply for Category Certificate in India?

The application for category certificate can be done both online and offline. However, not many states offer the online application yet. In such cases, candidates have to apply offline for the certificate.

Online Application for Category Certificate

The online procedure of applying for category certificate can be found below:

Step 1: Go to the Backward Class Welfare Portal for the concerned state or union territory.
Step 2: Click on the option “Apply for Category Certificate Online”.
Step 3: Fill out the application form. Or, create an account altogether.
Step 4: Use the login details (generated in the previous step) to enter the portal.
Step 5: Fill out the web application form.
Step 6: Click on ‘submit’.
Step 7: After the application form submission, choose the document-type for the supporting document to be uploaded.
Step 8: Upload the documents and click on ‘submit’.
Step 9: An acknowledgement receipt along with the application number will be generated for the user. Take a printout of the receipt and the number.
Step 10: The category certificate can be downloaded once the verification is complete.

Also Check: Sponsorship Letter for Visa

Offline Application for Category Certificate

For the individuals belonging to states and union territories that have not initiated the online procedure, they have to apply offline. The steps for applying for a category certificate offline have been listed in this section. The steps to be followed are:

Step 1: Go to the Revenue Office/Tehsil Office/SDM Office or CSC/SETU centre.
Step 2: Fill out the application form with the right information.
Step 3: In the category-details section, write the father’s category. In case of the father not being alive, the section must be filled with the category details of the nearest relative on the paternal side.
Step 4: Fill out the choice of category being applied for. This is important for individuals migrating from other states.
Step 5: Fill out and sign the self declaration at the bottom of the form.
Step 6: Submit a passport sized photograph along with the form. A local reference is necessary for verification.
Step 7: Attach the supporting documents and submit the application form to the officer concerned. The supporting documents must be self-attested.
Step 8: The category certificate can be collected in 30-40 days.

Supporting Documents Required for Category Certificate

The State Government or that of the Union Territory issues the category certificate to the legitimate candidates. In order to check the genuineness of the appeal, the authorities ask for certain documents to support the claim.

The set of documents required in order to apply for a category certificate are given below:

Address Proof

The following documents are required as address proof of the individuals:

1. Voter ID 
2. Aadhaar Card 
3. Electricity Bill 
4. Passport 
5. Driving Licence 
6. Rent Receipt
7. Water Bill 
8. 7/12 Extract 
9. Telephone Bill 
10. Ration Card 

Identity Proof

The documents required for identity proof are:

1. Aadhaar Card 
2. Driving License Voter ID 
3. Voter ID
4. RSBY Card Driving License 
5. PAN Card Passport 
6. MGNREGA Card 

Also Check: Top 10 Toughest Courses in India

Self-Caste and Blood Relative’s Caste Proof

The authorities check the authenticity of the application in all possible ways since there are a number of benefits that can be enjoyed with a category certificate. Following are the documents required to determine the authenticity of the claim:

Step 1: A copy of the primary school register for self or father or grandfather is required.
Step 2: A copy of the birth certificate of the concerned individual, self or relative.
Step 3: Proof of Government Service Record for the category of the relative.
Step 4: A certificate given by the Department of Social Justice.
Step 5: Validity proof that is issued by the committee that scrutinises the supporting category certificate of the father or relative.
Step 6: Village Panchayat papers or income certificate.
Step 7: Documents to support category and the present abode/residence.

Also Check: Thesis Vs. Dissertation- Meaning, Differences, and Similarities

Additional Documents to Validate the Other Categories

In case of individuals claiming certificates for categories other than those stated above, the authorities have laid down certain guidelines. By following these guidelines the individual can get the certificate for such other categories.

The categories are as follows:

In case of the death of the father: Under such a scenario, the supporting category document should be of a near blood relative of the father.

In case of a convert (religious): The category proof must be acquired before conversion to the other religion.

In case of married women: In the instance of applying for a category certificate after marriage, the marriage certificate along with the category proof (before marriage)must be submitted. In case of the name being changed after marriage, a valid certificate is needed for the same.

In case of a migrant from another state: In such a case, the document supporting the father’s category must be submitted.