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

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Bihar caste certificate

A Caste Certificate is an essential government-issued document that officially certifies the caste or community to which a person belongs. The Bihar caste certificate plays a critical role in enabling citizens to access reservation benefits, educational opportunities, government jobs, scholarships, fee concessions, social welfare schemes, housing benefits, and financial assistance programs offered by both the Government of Bihar and the Government of India.

The Bihar Caste Certificate is commonly required for candidates belonging to the Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Extremely Backward Classes (EBC), Backward Classes (BC), and other notified communities. It is also mandatory for verification on portals such as MyScheme, admission portals, recruitment boards, and welfare department databases.

To improve transparency and service delivery, the Government of Bihar provides both online and offline application facilities, allowing citizens from urban, rural, and remote areas to apply easily.

Official Bihar State Portal: https://state.bihar.gov.in

What is a Bihar Caste Certificate?

The Bihar Caste Certificate is an official certificate issued by the state authorities confirming that an applicant belongs to a specific caste or community recognized under Bihar’s reservation and welfare framework.

The certificate is issued by the Bihar Revenue and Land Reforms Department, usually through the Circle Officer (CO) / Block Development Officer (BDO) after verification of ancestry, residence, and official records.

Purpose of the Bihar Caste Certificate

  • To establish the SC / ST / BC / EBC community identity

  • To claim reservation benefits in education and employment

  • To apply for scholarships, stipends, and hostels

  • To access social welfare schemes and pensions

  • To claim benefits through the MyScheme and the Bihar government portals

  • To support applications for competitive examinations and recruitment

Departments Involved

  • Revenue and Land Reforms Department

  • Bihar Scheduled Caste & Scheduled Tribe Welfare Department

  • Backward Classes & Extremely Backward Classes Welfare Department, Bihar

  • District Administration

Eligibility Criteria for Bihar Caste Certificate

Applicants must meet the following eligibility conditions to apply for a Caste Certificate in Bihar:

  • Age Requirement

    • No minimum age limit

    • Parents or legal guardians can apply on behalf of minors

  • Residential Requirement

    • Applicant must be a permanent resident of Bihar

    • Family residence must be verifiable through local records

  • Caste / Community Requirement

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

      • Scheduled Caste (SC)

      • Scheduled Tribe (ST)

      • Backward Class (BC)

      • Extremely Backward Class (EBC)

  • Income / BPL Requirement

    • No income limit for issuance of caste certificate

    • Income limits apply separately for scholarships and welfare schemes

  • Special Categories (If Applicable)

    • Orphans

    • Children of single parents

    • Migrant families within Bihar (subject to verification)

    • Inter-caste marriage cases (as per government rules)

Documents Required for Bihar Caste Certificate Application

Applicants should keep the following documents ready before applying online or offline:

  • Aadhaar Card of the applicant

  • Aadhaar Card of parents/guardians (for minors)

  • Residential proof of Bihar:

    • Ration Card

    • Voter ID

    • Electricity or water bill

    • Rent agreement (if applicable)

  • School Bonafide / Study Certificate

  • Birth Certificate (if available)

  • Parents’ caste certificate or legacy documents

  • Passport-size photograph

  • Self-declaration / affidavit (if required)

How to Apply for a Bihar Caste Certificate Online

The Government of Bihar allows citizens to apply online through its official citizen service portals.

Step-by-Step Online Application Process

Step 1: Visit the Official Portal

Go to the Bihar Government website: https://state.bihar.gov.in

Step 2: Register or Log in

  • Register usingan  Aadhaar-linked mobile number

  • Log in using OTP or credentials

Step 3: Select Caste Certificate Service

  • Choose “Caste Certificate” from citizen services

  • Select the appropriate issuing authority (Circle Office)

Step 4: Fill the Application Form

  • Enter personal details

  • Enter family and residential details

  • Select the caste category carefully as per the official list

Step 5: Upload Required Documents

  • Upload scanned documents in PDF/JPEG format

  • Ensure clarity and correct file size

Step 6: Submit Application

  • Review all details carefully

  • Submit the application

  • Note the application reference number

Step 7: Verification & Approval

  • Field verification by Circle Office / Block Office

  • Scrutiny by the Revenue Authority

Step 8: Download Certificate

  • Log in after approval

  • Download the digital caste certificate

How to Apply for a Bihar Caste Certificate Offline

Applicants who cannot access online services may apply offline.

Offline Application Steps

  1. Visit the nearest:

    • Circle Office (CO)

    • Block Development Office (BDO)

    • District Collectorate

    • RTPS Counter / Public Service Centre

  2. Collect the Caste Certificate application form

  3. Fill in all required details clearly

  4. Attach photocopies of the required documents

  5. Apply to the concerned authority

  6. Receive an acknowledgment receipt

  7. Verification is conducted by the Revenue and local authorities

  8. The certificate is issued after approval

Track Bihar Caste Certificate Application Status

Applicants can track the status of their Bihar caste certificate application online.

How to Track Status

Status messages may include:

  • Submitted

  • Under Verification

  • Approved

  • Rejected (with remarks)

Renewal / Re-Verification Process

Caste Certificates in Bihar are generally permanent. However, re-verification or correction may be required in certain cases.

When Re-Verification is Required

  • Correction of name, caste spelling, or parent details

  • Change in address or district

  • Court-ordered verification

  • Discrepancy in records

Re-Verification Process

  • Apply through the official portal or Circle Office

  • Submit supporting documents

  • Fresh verification by the Revenue Authority

Common Issues & Solutions

Problem: Aadhaar Name Mismatch

Solution: Update Aadhaar details through the UIDAI portal before applying.

Problem: Wrong Caste Category Selected

Solution: Verify the official Bihar caste list before submission.

Problem: Document Upload Failure

Solution: Upload documents in PDF format with a 200–300 KB file size.

Problem: Application Rejected

Solution: Check rejection remarks and reapply with corrected documents.

Problem: Delay in Verification

Solution: Contact the Circle Office or BDO for follow-up.

Important Government Links

FAQ:

Q. How to apply Bihar Caste Certificate online?
A. Apply through the official Bihar government portal by submitting the online application.

Q. Is a caste certificate mandatory for reservation in Bihar?
A. Yes, it is mandatory to avail SC/ST/BC/EBC benefits.

Q. How long does it take to get a caste certificate in Bihar?
A. Usually 7–21 working days, depending on verification.

Q. Can I download the Bihar caste certificate online?
A. Yes, after approval, it can be downloaded digitally.

Q. Is the caste certificate valid for a lifetime?
A. Yes, unless correction or re-verification is required.

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

Q. Can parents apply for a child’s caste certificate?
A. Yes, parents or guardians can apply.

Q. What if my application is rejected?
A. You can reapply after correcting the mentioned issues.

Q. Is an income limit required for a caste certificate?
A. No income limit is required for issuance.

Q. Where can I apply offline in Bihar?
A. At Circle Office, BDO office, or RTPS Centre.

Conclusion:

The Bihar Caste Certificate is a vital identity and eligibility document that allows citizens to access educational reservations, government employment opportunities, scholarships, and welfare schemes. With the availability of online and offline application systems, the Government of Bihar has made the process more transparent and accessible for all residents.

Applicants are strongly advised to apply only through official Bihar government portals, ensure document accuracy, and track application status regularly to avoid delays.

Always check the official Bihar portal for the latest notifications, rules, and updates.