In Simple Words: A Caste Certificate is issued by the Tehsildar / Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) and proves you belong to a specific caste category (SC, ST, OBC, NT, VJNT, SBC, or minority). It is the first step — different from the Caste Validity Certificate. Most rejections happen because of missing old family documents or unclear caste entries. Use the checklist below to gather everything before applying.
The exact documents required depend on the caste category. Below is the complete checklist for the most common cases.
Mandatory Documents (All Applicants — All Categories)
These are needed for every caste certificate application in Maharashtra:
- Aadhaar card of applicant (clear scan)
- Aadhaar card of father (or guardian)
- School Leaving Certificate (TC) with caste entry — most important
- Ration card (showing applicant in family)
- Passport-size photograph (recent)
- Self-declaration / affidavit declaring caste
- Application form (Form A-1 on Aaple Sarkar)
Caste Proof Documents (Pick the Strongest You Have)
You need to submit at least one strong primary proof. Multiple documents strengthen your application.
Strongest Primary Proofs (Use Whichever You Have)
- Father’s caste certificate issued by Maharashtra Tehsildar
- Grandfather’s caste certificate — even stronger
- Pre-1950 family caste records (mandatory for SC / ST claims)
- Old land revenue records (7/12 extract from before 1950) showing caste
- Old gram panchayat caste extract (Kotwal book entries)
- Old school admission register of father / grandfather
Secondary Proofs (Use When Primary Is Unavailable)
- Father’s school TC showing caste
- Father’s army / police / government job certificate showing caste
- Marriage certificate showing parents’ caste
- Voter list extract of pre-1990 era with family names and caste
- Affidavit from Sarpanch / village patil confirming family’s caste history
- Affidavit from at least two community elders confirming caste
Category-Specific Additional Requirements
For Scheduled Caste (SC) Certificate
- Pre-1950 family proof of SC caste — critical
- Religion declaration — SC certificate available only for Hindu / Sikh / Buddhist (re-conversion to Hinduism / Buddhism is also accepted with proper affidavit)
- If converted to Buddhism: Conversion deed or community resolution
For Scheduled Tribe (ST) Certificate
- Pre-1950 family proof of ST tribe
- Tribal area residence proof (if applicable)
- Bhumi Abhilekh records showing tribal ownership (if applicable)
- Patta / land allotment papers from tribal area
For Other Backward Class (OBC) Certificate
- Caste should be in Maharashtra OBC list — verify on Aaple Sarkar
- Family caste record of pre-1993 era (preferred)
- Non-Creamy Layer Certificate (separate document, often applied together — see NCL Documents)
For Nomadic Tribe (NT) / VJNT / SBC
- Caste in respective list for Maharashtra
- Older family documents showing the community
- Income certificate (for non-creamy layer purposes)
For Minority Certificate
- Religion declaration
- School TC showing religion
- Birth certificate
- Family religion proof — older family documents
Residence Proof Documents
You must prove residence in Maharashtra. Submit any one of these:
- Ration card of Maharashtra
- Aadhaar card with Maharashtra address
- Voter ID with Maharashtra address
- Electricity bill (last 3 months)
- Property tax receipt
- Rent agreement (notarised)
- Passport with Maharashtra address
- Bank passbook with Maharashtra address
Self-Declaration / Affidavit Format
You must submit a self-declaration on stamp paper (₹100), notarised, stating:
- Your full name, age, address
- Your caste (and sub-caste if applicable)
- Religion
- Declaration that the caste information is true to the best of your knowledge
The portal often has a downloadable template — use that for safest acceptance.
Document Upload Requirements (Aaple Sarkar)
When uploading on the Aaple Sarkar portal:
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Format | PDF preferred (JPG accepted) |
| Size | Under 500 KB per document |
| Quality | Clear, all text readable |
| Orientation | Straight scan, not photographed at angle |
| Multi-page docs | Combine into one PDF |
Quick Document Checklist (Standard Case)
- Aadhaar card (applicant)
- Father’s Aadhaar
- School TC with caste entry
- Father’s school TC OR father’s caste certificate
- Old family caste document (pre-1950 / pre-1993 depending on category)
- Ration card
- Maharashtra residence proof
- Passport-size photograph
- Self-declaration affidavit on ₹100 stamp paper
- Application form (Form A-1)
Where to Apply
- Online: Aaple Sarkar Portal → Departments → Revenue → Caste Certificate
- Offline: Tehsildar office of your taluka, or any CSC / Setu centre
Fees and Timeline
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Application fee | ₹50–₹100 (Aaple Sarkar) |
| Affidavit cost | ₹200–₹500 (stamp paper + notary) |
| Processing time | 15–30 working days |
| Validity | Lifetime (does not expire), but some institutions ask for “recent” copy (issued within 6 months) |
Common Reasons for Rejection
| Reason | Fix |
|---|---|
| Old family caste document missing | Try father’s TC, voter list, or community elder affidavit |
| School TC has blank caste column | Get school to add caste based on family records |
| Name mismatch between Aadhaar and TC | Get a name affidavit declaring both refer to same person |
| Documents unclear / blurry | Re-scan using a scanner app, not phone photo |
| Applied at wrong jurisdiction | Apply at Tehsildar of your residence, not your workplace |
After You Get the Caste Certificate
The Caste Certificate alone is not enough for most professional uses. You will likely also need:
- Caste Validity Certificate — required for college admission in reserved seats, government jobs
- Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) Certificate — for OBC / NT / VJNT / SBC reservations
Apply for these immediately after receiving the Caste Certificate, especially if you have college admission or scholarship deadlines.
Related Guides
- Caste Certificate vs Caste Validity Certificate Maharashtra
- Caste Validity Certificate Maharashtra – Complete Guide
- Non-Creamy Layer Certificate Maharashtra
- Caste Validity Application Rejected – Common Reasons
- Documents Required for Caste Validity Certificate
Document requirements may vary by district and category. Always check the latest list on the Aaple Sarkar portal for your specific caste category before applying.