A Caste Certificate is a crucial socio-legal identity document issued by the state government that officially certifies a citizen’s caste or community. The Karnataka caste certificate plays a vital role in ensuring social justice by enabling eligible citizens to access reservation benefits in education, government employment, scholarships, hostels, fee concessions, housing schemes, and various social welfare programs.
The Karnataka Caste Certificate is mandatory for individuals belonging to the Scheduled Castes (SC), the Scheduled Tribes (ST), Category-I, Category-IIA, Category-IIB, Category-IIIA, and Category-IIIB (OBCs) as notified by the state government. It is also required for applying to schemes listed on MyScheme, participating in competitive examinations, and availing benefits under state and central government initiatives.
To improve transparency and ease of access, the Government of Karnataka allows citizens to apply for caste certificates through online portals as well as offline administrative offices, ensuring inclusion of rural and urban populations alike.
Official Karnataka State Portal: https://karnataka.gov.in
What is the Karnataka Caste Certificate?
Table of Contents
The Karnataka Caste Certificate is an official document issued after verifying the applicant’s caste, family lineage, and permanent residence in the state. It certifies that the individual belongs to a caste or community recognized by the Government of Karnataka and, where applicable, by the Government of India.
The certificate is issued under the authority of the Revenue Department, Government of Karnataka, generally through the Tahasildar of the concerned Taluk, based on records and field verification.
Purpose of the Karnataka Caste Certificate
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To claim a reservation in education and public employment
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To apply for state and central government scholarships
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To access SC/ST/OBC welfare schemes
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To avail the benefits under social justice and empowerment programs
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To apply for schemes listed on MyScheme
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To support verification for competitive exams and recruitments
Departments Involved
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Revenue Department, Government of Karnataka
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Department of Social Welfare, Karnataka
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Department for the Welfare of Backward Classes, Karnataka
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District and Taluk Administration
Eligibility Criteria for Karnataka Caste Certificate
Applicants must satisfy the following eligibility conditions to apply for a Karnataka Caste Certificate:
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Age Requirement
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No minimum or maximum age limit
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Parents or legal guardians may apply for minors
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Residential Requirement
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Applicant must be a permanent resident of Karnataka
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Residence must be verifiable through state-approved documents
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Caste / Community Requirement
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Applicant must belong to a caste recognized in Karnataka:
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Scheduled Caste (SC)
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Scheduled Tribe (ST)
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Category-I
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Category-IIA
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Category-IIB
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Category-IIIA
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Category-IIIB
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Income / BPL Requirement
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The income limit is not mandatory for the issuance of a caste certificate
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Income criteria apply separately for scholarships and welfare schemes
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Special Categories (If Applicable)
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Children of single parents
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Orphans
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Persons with disabilities
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Migrants settled in Karnataka before the notified cut-off dates
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Documents Required for Karnataka Caste Certificate Application
Applicants should keep the following documents ready before applying for Karnataka Caste Certificate:
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Aadhaar Card of the applicant
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Aadhaar Card of parents/guardians (for minors)
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Proof of residence in Karnataka:
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Ration Card
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Voter ID
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Electricity / Water Bill
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Residence Certificate
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Birth Certificate or school certificate
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School Bonafide / Study Certificate
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Parents’ caste certificate or ancestral caste proof
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Passport-size photograph
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Self-declaration / affidavit (if required)
How to Apply for Karnataka Caste Certificate Online
Karnataka 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 Karnataka government portal: https://karnataka.gov.in
Step 2: Register or Log in
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Register usingan Aadhaar-linked mobile number
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Log in using OTP or credentials
Step 3: Select Caste Certificate Service
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Choose “Caste Certificate” from citizen services
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Select the correct category (SC/ST/Category-I/IIA/IIB/IIIA/IIIB)
Step 4: Fill the Application Form
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Enter personal details
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Enter family and address details
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Select Taluk and District
Step 5: Upload Required Documents
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Upload documents in PDF/JPEG format
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Ensure clarity and legibility
Step 6: Submit Application
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Review details carefully
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Submit the application
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Note the application reference number
Step 7: Verification & Approval
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Verification by the village accountant/revenue staff
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Approval by Tahasildar
Step 8: Download Certificate
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Log in after approval
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Download the digitally signed caste certificate
How to Apply for a Karnataka Caste Certificate Offline
Applicants without access to online services can apply for Karnataka Caste Certificate offline.
Offline Application Steps
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Visit the nearest:
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Taluk Office (Tahasildar Office)
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Nadakacheri / Atalji Janasnehi Kendra
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District Collector’s Office
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Collect the Caste Certificate application form
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Fill in all details carefully
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Attach photocopies of the required documents
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Apply to the concerned authority
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Receive an acknowledgment receipt
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Field verification is conducted
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The certificate is issued after approval
Track Karnataka Caste Certificate Application Status
Applicants can track the status of their Karnataka caste certificate application online.
Steps to Track Status
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Visit https://karnataka.gov.in
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Click on Track Application Status
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Enter:
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Application reference number
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Registered mobile number
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Possible status updates:
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Submitted
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Under Verification
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Approved
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Rejected (with reason)
Renewal / Re-Verification Process
Caste Certificates issued in Karnataka are generally valid for a lifetime. However, re-verification or correction may be required in specific cases.
When Re-Verification is Required
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Name or spelling correction
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Change in address or Taluk
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Court-ordered verification
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Discrepancy in caste or family records
Re-Verification Process
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Apply online or visit the Taluk Office
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Submit a correction request with supporting documents
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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 Category Selected
Solution: Verify the official Karnataka caste classification carefully before submission.
Problem: Document Upload Failure
Solution: Upload documents in 200–300 KB PDF/JPEG format.
Problem: Application Rejected
Solution: Check rejection remarks and reapply with corrected information.
Problem: Delay in Verification
Solution: Contact the Tahasildar or Nadakacheri office for follow-up.
Important Government Links
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Karnataka Official State Portal: https://karnataka.gov.in
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MyScheme Portal: https://www.myscheme.gov.in
FAQ:
Q. How to apply Karnataka caste certificate online?
A. Apply through the official Karnataka government portal by submitting the online application.
Q. Is a caste certificate mandatory in Karnataka?
A. Yes, it is required for reservation and welfare benefits.
Q. How many days does it take to get a caste certificate in Karnataka?
A. Usually 10–21 working days, depending on verification.
Q. Can I download the caste certificate online?
A. Yes, after approval, it can be downloaded digitally.
Q. Is the Karnataka caste certificate valid for a lifetime?
A. Yes, unless correction or re-verification is required.
Q. Is Aadhaar mandatory for a caste certificate?
A. Yes, Aadhaar is generally required for identity verification.
Q. Can parents apply for a child’s caste certificate?
A. Yes, parents or legal guardians may apply.
Q. What if my application is rejected?
A. You can reapply after correcting the issues mentioned.
Q. Is income proof required for a caste certificate?
A. No, income proof is not required for issuance.
Q. Where can I apply offline in Karnataka?
A. At the Taluk Office, Nadakacheri, or District Collector’s Office.
Conclusion:
The Karnataka Caste Certificate is an essential document for citizens seeking access to educational reservations, government employment, scholarships, and social welfare schemes. With the availability of online and offline application systems, the Government of Karnataka has made the process transparent, efficient, and citizen-friendly.
Applicants should ensure accuracy in documents, apply only through official government portals, and track their application status regularly to avoid delays.
For the latest updates and notifications, always refer to the official Karnataka government portal.