Bonafide Certificate Maharashtra – School & College (How to Get, Uses, Format)

In Simple Words: A bonafide certificate is a simple letter from your school or college confirming that you are currently a student there. It is issued while you are still enrolled — not after you leave. You need it for things like applying for a scholarship, opening a student bank account, getting a railway concession pass, applying for a hostel, or as supporting proof in a passport application. It is NOT the same as a Transfer Certificate (TC) — the TC is issued when you leave the institution and is a permanent record, whereas the bonafide certificate is a current-status letter with a limited validity period. Most institutions issue it free of charge within a few days. Always get a fresh one for each application because the old one will expire.

What Is a Bonafide Certificate?

A bonafide certificate (also written as “bona fide certificate”) is an official letter issued on the institution’s letterhead by the Principal (school) or Registrar / Principal (college), confirming that a named student is currently enrolled and studying in a particular course or class.

It is a current-status document — it confirms your enrollment as of the date of issue. It does not carry historical records or marks information.

A standard bonafide certificate includes:

• Student’s full name
• Course / class (e.g., Class 9, or Second Year B.Sc.)
• Academic year (e.g., 2025–26)
• Enrollment / Roll number
• Date of issue
• Purpose (sometimes stated: “for scholarship / railway concession / bank account”)
• Institution’s name, address, and stamp
• Principal’s or authorised signatory’s signature

Bonafide Certificate vs. Transfer Certificate (TC) — Key Differences

Uses of a Bonafide Certificate

A bonafide certificate is required for:

• Government scholarships: EBC Scholarship, OBC Scholarship, ST/SC Scholarship, Central Sector Scholarship — all require it at time of application
• Bank account for students: Many banks (especially for Basic Savings or scholarship disbursement accounts) ask for bonafide certificate as proof of enrollment
• Railway concession pass: Indian Railways student concession requires a bonafide certificate stamped by the institution
• Hostel admission: Government and semi-government hostels ask for bonafide certificate as part of the application
• Passport application as a student: Bonafide certificate can support address proof or educational status in the passport application
• Student loan applications: Banks ask for bonafide certificate as part of education loan documentation
• NEET / entrance exam re-verification: Some examination bodies ask for it during document verification rounds
• Part-time job applications: Employers who hire students (internships, part-time) ask for bonafide certificate

Who Can Get a Bonafide Certificate

Any student who is currently:

• Enrolled in a school (Class 1–12) in Maharashtra
• Enrolled in a degree, diploma, or professional course in a Maharashtra college or university
• Registered as a research scholar in a Maharashtra university

You cannot get a bonafide certificate if:

• You have completed the course and graduated (get your leaving certificate or degree certificate instead)
• Your enrollment has been cancelled due to non-payment of fees or absence (resolve this with the institution first)

Documents Required

To Get Bonafide Certificate from School

• Written application addressed to the Principal (you can write a simple letter — no prescribed format)
• School identity card
• Fee receipt for current academic year (to prove active enrollment)
• Mention the specific purpose (e.g., “for EBC scholarship application”)

To Get Bonafide Certificate from College

• Written application to the Principal or Registrar
• College identity card
• Fee receipt for current academic year
• Enrollment number
• Mention the specific purpose explicitly

Note: Many colleges have a printed application form at the administrative counter — ask for it rather than writing your own letter, as it speeds up processing.

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Write the Application

Write a formal application to the Principal (school) or Registrar (college). Include:

• Your full name
• Course and year (e.g., “F.Y.B.Com, Academic Year 2025–26”)
• Enrollment number
• The specific purpose for which you need the certificate
• Your contact number

Keep the tone formal. Example opening: “I, [Your Name], a student of [Course / Class], roll no. [xxx], hereby request a bonafide certificate for the purpose of [scholarship / bank account / railway concession].”

Step 2: Submit at the Office Counter

Submit the application at the administrative office or principal’s office. Some colleges have a dedicated student services counter. Attach your ID card photocopy and fee receipt copy.

Tip: Ask the counter staff how many days it will take and whether you need to follow up or if they will call you when it is ready.

Step 3: Follow Up if Needed

If not issued within 5 working days:

• Visit the office and politely ask for the status
• If delayed beyond 7 days: speak to the Vice Principal or Registrar directly
• If beyond 10 working days without reason: submit a written complaint to the Registrar / Dean of Students with a copy to the university’s student grievance cell

Step 4: Collect and Verify

Collect the certificate and verify:

• Your name is spelled correctly (must match your other documents)
• Course / class / year is correct
• Academic year is the current year
• Institution seal and principal’s signature are present
• Date of issue is current

If anything is wrong, ask for a correction before leaving — it is much easier to fix before you submit it to another office.

Step 5: Make Photocopies

Make 4–5 photocopies immediately. Some applications accept photocopies; others ask for the original. If the scholarship or bank requires the original, ask your institution if they can issue you two copies.

For Different Purposes — What the Certificate Should Specify

Always mention the purpose in your application — this helps the office include the right details.

Timeline

Common Issues

Online Bonafide Certificate — Is It Available?

Some Maharashtra universities and affiliated colleges offer online bonafide certificate generation through their student portals. Examples:

• SNDT University: Student portal allows bonafide certificate download with digital signature
• Mumbai University (MU): Some affiliated colleges have this through their own ERP systems
• Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU): Some affiliated colleges

Check your college’s student portal or website for this feature. A digitally signed certificate is fully valid.

Related Guides

• School Leaving Certificate (TC) Guide Maharashtra
• Birth Certificate Guide Maharashtra
• Income Certificate Guide Maharashtra
• Scholarship Guide Maharashtra

Language Toggle

This guide is also available in Marathi: बोनाफाइड प्रमाणपत्र – मराठीत वाचा