Caste Certificate

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

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Odisha Caste Certificate

A Caste Certificate is one of the most important legal identity documents issued by the government. The Odisha Caste Certificate officially certifies whether a citizen belongs to Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), or Other Backward Class (OBC/SEBC) categories as recognized by the state and central governments.

The Odisha Caste Certificate is mandatory for availing reservation benefits, educational admissions, government jobs, scholarships, competitive examinations, fee concessions, hostels, housing schemes, and welfare programs run by both the Government of Odisha and the Government of India.

The Odisha government has digitized the caste certificate process through its citizen service platform to ensure transparency, faster processing, and easy tracking, while still providing offline facilities at local revenue offices for citizens without internet access.

Official Odisha State Portal: https://edistrict.odisha.gov.in/

What is Odisha Caste Certificate?

The Odisha Caste Certificate is an official document issued by the state revenue authorities certifying that an individual belongs to a recognized caste or community listed under SC, ST, or SEBC categories in Odisha.

The certificate is issued under the administrative control of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Government of Odisha after verification of records by designated officers such as Tahasildar, Additional Tahasildar, or other notified revenue officials.

Purpose of Odisha Caste Certificate

The caste certificate is required for:

  • Reservation in schools, colleges, and universities

  • Admission to professional and technical courses

  • Government job recruitment and promotions

  • Competitive examinations (UPSC, SSC, OSSC, OPSC, etc.)

  • Scholarships and post-matric benefits

  • Fee concessions and hostel admissions

  • Welfare schemes for SC/ST/OBC communities

  • Benefits listed on the MyScheme portal

Departments Involved

  • Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Odisha

  • ST & SC Development, Minorities & Backward Classes Welfare Department, Odisha

  • District Administration

  • Tahasil Offices

  • Common Service Centres (CSCs)

Eligibility Criteria for Odisha Caste Certificate (State-Specific)

Applicants must meet the following eligibility conditions:

  • Age Requirement

    • No minimum or maximum age limit

    • Parents or legal guardians may apply for minors

  • Residential Requirement

    • Applicant must be a permanent resident of Odisha

    • Residency must be supported by valid documents

  • Caste / Community Requirement

    • Applicant must belong to a caste recognized under:

      • Scheduled Caste (SC)

      • Scheduled Tribe (ST)

      • Socially and Educationally Backward Class (SEBC/OBC)

  • Income / BPL Requirement

    • Income proof is NOT mandatory for issuing caste certificate

    • Income criteria apply only for scheme-specific benefits

  • Special Categories (If Applicable)

    • Orphans

    • Single-parent children

    • Persons with disabilities

    • Transgender applicants

    • Migrant families (subject to verification)

Documents Required for Odisha Caste Certificate Application

Applicants should keep the following documents ready:

  • Aadhaar Card of the applicant

  • Aadhaar Card of parents/guardians (for minors)

  • Proof of residence in Odisha:

    • Domicile Certificate

    • Voter ID

    • Ration Card

  • Birth Certificate or School Certificate

  • School Bonafide Certificate

  • Parent’s caste certificate (if available)

  • Self-declaration or affidavit (if required)

  • Passport-size photograph

How to Apply for Odisha Caste Certificate Online

Odisha provides a fully digitized application system through its citizen service portal.

Online Application Steps

Step 1: Visit the Official Portal

Go to: https://edistrict.odisha.gov.in/

Step 2: Register / Login

  • Register using Aadhaar-linked mobile number

  • Login using OTP credentials

Step 3: Select Caste Certificate Service

  • Choose Caste Certificate (SC/ST/OBC) from the services list

Step 4: Fill the Online Application Form

  • Enter personal details

  • Select caste category

  • Provide address and family details

Step 5: Upload Documents

  • Upload scanned documents in prescribed format

  • Ensure file size is within limits

Step 6: Submit Application

  • Review details carefully

  • Submit the application and note the acknowledgment number

Step 7: Track Application Status

  • Use the acknowledgment number to track status online

How to Apply for Odisha Caste Certificate Offline

Odisha Caste Certificate Offline application is available for citizens who prefer in-person assistance.

Offline Application Steps

  1. Visit the nearest:

    • Tahasil Office

    • Revenue Office

    • Common Service Centre (CSC)

  2. Collect the caste certificate application form

  3. Fill the form carefully in block letters

  4. Attach photocopies of required documents

  5. Submit the form to the concerned authority

  6. Receive an acknowledgment slip

  7. Verification by revenue officials

  8. Certificate issued after approval

Track Odisha Caste Certificate Application Status

Applicants can track their caste certificate status online.

Steps to Track Status

Status may show:

  • Submitted

  • Under Verification

  • Approved

  • Rejected (with remarks)

Renewal / Re-Verification Process

Caste certificates in Odisha are generally valid for lifetime.

When Re-Verification is Required

  • Correction of name or spelling

  • Change in address

  • Data mismatch in records

  • Departmental or legal requirement

Re-Verification Steps

  • Apply for correction through the same portal or office

  • Submit supporting documents

  • Fresh verification conducted before reissue

Common Issues & Solutions

Problem: Aadhaar Details Mismatch

Solution: Update Aadhaar information through UIDAI before applying.

Problem: Wrong Caste Category Selected

Solution: Verify caste category carefully before submission.

Problem: Document Upload Failure

Solution: Upload files in 200-300 KB PDF/JPEG format.

Problem: Application Rejected

Solution: Check rejection remarks and reapply with corrected details.

Problem: Delay in Verification

Solution: Contact the Tahasil Office or CSC for follow-up.

Important Government Links

FAQ:

Q. How to apply Odisha caste certificate online?
A. Apply through the official Odisha citizen service portal.

Q. Who is eligible for caste certificate in Odisha?
A. Permanent residents belonging to SC, ST, or SEBC categories.

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

Q. Is income certificate required?
A. No, income certificate is not mandatory.

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

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

Q. Can I download caste certificate online?
A. Yes, once approved, it can be downloaded digitally.

Q. What if my application is rejected?
A. Reapply after correcting errors mentioned by authorities.

Q. Is Aadhaar mandatory?
A. Generally yes, for identity verification.

Q. Where can I apply offline?
A. At Tahasil Offices or Common Service Centres.

Conclusion:

The Odisha Caste Certificate is a crucial document for accessing reservations, scholarships, government employment, and welfare schemes. With a fully digitized online system supported by offline assistance at local offices, the Odisha government ensures transparency, accuracy, and citizen convenience.

Applicants should submit accurate information, upload valid documents, and regularly track their application status for timely approval.

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