Caste Certificate

How to Apply for the Maharashtra Caste Certificate: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

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Maharashtra Caste Certificate

A Caste Certificate is an essential government document that officially certifies an individual’s caste or community status. The Maharashtra Caste Certificate is primarily issued to citizens belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), Special Backward Classes (SBC), Vimukta Jati (VJ), and Nomadic Tribes (NT).

The Maharashtra Caste Certificate is mandatory for availing reservation benefits in education, government jobs, competitive examinations, scholarships, hostels, fee concessions, welfare schemes, and social security programs run by both the Government of Maharashtra and the Government of India.

To ensure transparency and ease of access, the Maharashtra government provides online and offline application facilities through official portals and local revenue offices.

Official Maharashtra State Portal: https://www.maharashtra.gov.in

What is Maharashtra Caste Certificate?

The Maharashtra Caste Certificate is an officially issued document that confirms the caste or community of a resident of Maharashtra as per state-notified and centrally recognized caste lists.

The certificate is issued under the authority of the Revenue Department, Government of Maharashtra and is generally approved by the Tahasildar / Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) after due verification of records.

Purpose of Maharashtra Caste Certificate

The caste certificate is required for:

  • Reservation in schools, colleges, and universities

  • Government job recruitment and promotions

  • Scholarships and fellowships

  • Hostels and residential schools

  • Welfare schemes for SC, ST, OBC, VJNT, SBC categories

  • Competitive exams such as MPSC, UPSC, SSC, Railway, Banking

  • Scheme eligibility on MyScheme portal

Departments Involved

  • Social Justice and Special Assistance Department, Maharashtra

  • Tribal Development Department, Maharashtra

  • Other Backward Bahujan Welfare Department, Maharashtra

  • District Collector Offices

  • Tahsil Offices

Eligibility Criteria for Maharashtra Caste Certificate

Applicants must fulfill the following eligibility conditions:

  • Age Requirement

    • No minimum or maximum age limit

    • Parents or guardians can apply for minors

  • Residential Requirement

    • Applicant must be a permanent resident of Maharashtra

    • Residence should be verifiable through state records

  • Caste / Community Requirement

    • Applicant must belong to a caste recognized by the Government of Maharashtra:

      • SC

      • ST

      • OBC

      • SBC

      • VJ (Vimukta Jati)

      • NT (Nomadic Tribes)

  • Income / BPL Requirement

    • Income proof is not mandatory for caste certificate issuance

    • Income criteria apply separately for scholarships and schemes

  • Special Categories (If Applicable)

    • Children of single parents

    • Orphans

    • Migrant families settled before notified cut-off dates

    • Persons with disabilities (for scheme-linked benefits)

Documents Required for Maharashtra Caste Certificate Application

Applicants should keep the following documents ready:

  • Aadhaar Card of applicant

  • Aadhaar Card of parents (for minors)

  • Proof of residence in Maharashtra:

    • Domicile Certificate

    • Ration Card

    • Voter ID

    • Electricity / Water Bill

  • Birth Certificate or School Leaving Certificate

  • School Bonafide Certificate

  • Parent’s caste certificate or ancestral caste proof

  • Affidavit (if required by authority)

  • Passport-size photograph

How to Apply for Maharashtra Caste Certificate Online

The Maharashtra government provides online caste certificate services through its official citizen service portals.

Step-by-Step Online Application Process

Step 1: Visit the Official Portal

Go to the Maharashtra government portal: https://www.maharashtra.gov.in

Step 2: Register or Login

  • Register using Aadhaar-linked mobile number

  • Login using OTP or user credentials

Step 3: Select Caste Certificate Service

  • Choose “Caste Certificate” from citizen services

  • Select correct category (SC / ST / OBC / VJNT / SBC)

Step 4: Fill the Application Form

  • Enter personal details

  • Enter family and address details

  • Select district and tahsil

Step 5: Upload Documents

  • Upload documents in PDF/JPEG format

  • Ensure clarity and readability

Step 6: Submit Application

  • Verify all entered details

  • Submit the application

  • Note the application reference number

Step 7: Verification & Approval

  • Field verification by Talathi / Revenue Inspector

  • Approval by Tahasildar / SDO

Step 8: Download Certificate

  • Login after approval

  • Download digitally signed caste certificate

How to Apply for Maharashtra Caste Certificate Offline

Applicants without internet access may apply offline.

Offline Application Steps

  1. Visit the nearest:

    • Tahsil Office

    • Sub-Divisional Office

    • District Collector Office

  2. Collect the Caste Certificate application form

  3. Fill in details carefully

  4. Attach photocopies of documents

  5. Submit the form to the concerned officer

  6. Receive an acknowledgment receipt

  7. Verification by revenue officials

  8. Certificate issued after approval

Track Maharashtra Caste Certificate Application Status

Applicants can track their application status online.

Steps to Track Status

Status may show:

  • Submitted

  • Under Verification

  • Approved

  • Rejected (with remarks)

Renewal / Re-Verification Process

Caste certificates issued in Maharashtra are generally valid for lifetime. However, re-verification or correction may be required in some cases.

When Re-Verification is Required

  • Name or spelling correction

  • Change in address or district

  • Discrepancy in caste records

  • Court or departmental requirement

Re-Verification Process

  • Apply online or visit Tahsil Office

  • Submit correction request

  • Fresh verification by Revenue Authority

Common Issues & Solutions

Problem: Aadhaar Name Mismatch

Solution: Update Aadhaar details via UIDAI before applying.

Problem: Wrong Caste Category Selected

Solution: Verify Maharashtra caste classification list before submission.

Problem: Document Upload Failure

Solution: Upload documents in 200–300 KB PDF/JPEG format.

Problem: Application Rejected

Solution: Check rejection reason and reapply with corrected information.

Problem: Delay in Verification

Solution: Contact Tahsil Office or District Revenue Office.

Important Government Links

FAQ:

Q. How to apply Maharashtra caste certificate online?
A. Apply through the official Maharashtra government portal.

Q. Is caste certificate mandatory in Maharashtra?
A. Yes, for reservation and welfare benefits.

Q. How long does it take to get caste certificate in Maharashtra?
A. Usually 15–30 working days.

Q. Can I download caste certificate online in Maharashtra?
A. Yes, after approval.

Q. Is Maharashtra caste certificate valid for lifetime?
A. Yes, unless correction is required.

Q. Is Aadhaar mandatory?
A. Yes, Aadhaar is generally required.

Q. Can parents apply for a child?
A. Yes, guardians can apply for minors.

Q. What if my application is rejected?
A. Reapply after correcting the issues.

Q. Is income proof required?
A. No, income proof is not required for issuance.

Q. Where can I apply offline?
A. At Tahsil, SDO, or Collector Office.

Conclusion

The Maharashtra Caste Certificate is a crucial document for accessing educational reservations, government employment, scholarships, and welfare schemes. With both online and offline application facilities, the Maharashtra government has ensured a transparent and citizen-friendly process.

Applicants are advised to apply only through official portals, upload accurate documents, and regularly track application status for timely approval.

Always check the official Maharashtra portal for the latest updates and notifications.