1Apply
esathi.up.gov.in → log in → “जाति प्रमाण पत्र” → SC, ST or OBC → fill the form → upload → pay → submit.
2Documents
Aadhaar, self-declaration form, your father’s or grandfather’s caste certificate, ration card and photo.
3Fee and time
₹10-15 on eSathi (some district eDistrict pages, such as Kannauj, list ₹20, so the exact fee can vary by district), or ₹30 + facilitation at a CSC. Usually 7-15 working days (Lekhpal field verification).
4Validity
SC/ST: for life. OBC non-creamy layer: one financial year for central purposes.
What Is a Caste Certificate — And the Distinction That Costs Seats
A caste certificate (जाति प्रमाण पत्र, Jati Praman Patra) is an official document issued by the Tehsildar or SDM confirming that a person belongs to a caste listed as a Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) or Other Backward Class (OBC) for Uttar Pradesh. Without it, you can’t claim reservation in education, jobs or government schemes, whatever your actual caste.
The distinction that costs candidates every year: there are two separate lists, and they are not the same.
- Central lists: for SC and ST, the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) and (Scheduled Tribes) Orders, 1950; for OBC, the central list kept by the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) at ncbc.nic.in. These are used for central government jobs (UPSC, SSC, Railways), central institutions (IITs, NITs, AIIMS, central universities) and All India Quota seats in NEET and JEE.
- State list: the OBC list notified by the UP government, used for state jobs (UPPSC, UPSSSC, UP Police), state university admissions and state-quota seats.
A caste on UP’s state OBC list but not on the central OBC list gets no reservation at UPSC, SSC, IITs or NEET All India Quota. This isn’t a rare edge case: several UP OBC communities are only on the state list. Check your caste on both lists before you apply for any exam or admission with reservation.
SC, ST and OBC — Three Categories, Three Different Rules
Scheduled Caste (SC) — अनुसूचित जाति
Listed in the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950 for Uttar Pradesh, which has 66 Scheduled Castes. The Tehsildar or SDM issues the certificate after the Lekhpal’s field verification of the family’s caste. An SC certificate is valid for life, for both state and central purposes: no renewal, no income limit and no creamy layer.
Reservation: 15% in central government; 21% in UP state government. It applies to UPSC, SSC, Railways, UPPSC, UPSSSC (Lekhpal, Junior Assistant), UP Police, NEET (All India and state quota), JEE and educational institutions.
Scheduled Tribe (ST) — अनुसूचित जनजाति
Listed in the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950 for UP. UP has a small tribal population compared with states such as Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh or Madhya Pradesh. It has 15 Scheduled Tribes, most of them added by the 2003 amendment, and many are recognised only in specific districts: for example, the Gond group in 13 eastern districts, Kharwar in five, and Sahariya in Lalitpur. Check that your tribe is listed for your district. Like SC, the certificate is valid for life, with no income limit.
Reservation: 7.5% in central government; 2% in UP state government.
Other Backward Class (OBC) — अन्य पिछड़ा वर्ग
This is where the complexity is. UP’s state list has about 79 OBC communities. The certificate confirms your caste, but for reservation you also need to be in the non-creamy layer (NCL): family income under ₹8 lakh, with salary and agricultural income not counted under the DoPT rules (explained on the income certificate page), and the parents’ posts not in the creamy-layer categories.
UP residents deal with two kinds of OBC certificate:
| Type | Used for | List | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| State OBC certificate | UPPSC, UPSSSC (Lekhpal, PET), UP Police, state universities, UP Scholarship | UP state OBC list | Up to 3 years; many notifications ask for one issued within the last year, so check |
| Central OBC NCL certificate | UPSC, SSC, Railways, IIT/NIT/AIIMS, NEET and JEE All India Quota, central universities | Central OBC list (ncbc.nic.in) | One financial year (April 1 – March 31) |
The state OBC certificate is issued in the state format. For central purposes you need the OBC NCL certificate in the central government format, issued by the same Tehsildar or SDM but worded with reference to the central list and the non-creamy-layer status. When you apply, make sure you choose the certificate meant for central government purposes if that’s what you need.
Reservation: 27% in central government (OBC NCL); 27% in UP state government.
The Spelling Trap — One Letter Can Cancel Your Reservation
The caste name on your certificate must match the exact entry in the official list: the Presidential Order for SC/ST, or the NCBC or UP government notification for OBC.
Official entries are sometimes a group of names that count as one caste. In UP’s SC list, for example, Chamar, Dhusia, Jhusia and Jatava are listed together as one entry (“Chamar, Dhusia, Jhusia, Jatava”), so a spelling outside that entry, or a local name that isn’t in the list at all, gets questioned. At the same time, two names that sound similar can be separate communities with separate listings: “Kurmi” and “Kushwaha” are separate communities, and “Lodh” and “Lodhi” may or may not be the same entry depending on the notification. You can’t tell from the name alone, so don’t guess.
A spelling that doesn’t match the official entry can get you rejected at document verification for jobs, or at NEET and JEE counselling. DV officers don’t interpret or assume two spellings are the same.
Documents Required
Core documents (everyone):
- Aadhaar card (mandatory, for e-KYC)
- Self-declaration form (mandatory upload: signed, JPEG, under 100KB)
- Ration card (family structure and address)
- Passport-size photograph (JPEG, under 50KB)
Caste proof (the critical document):
- Your father’s or grandfather’s caste certificate: the strongest proof. If the family has one, upload it; the Lekhpal uses it to confirm the family’s caste.
- If there isn’t one: a school leaving certificate or 10th marksheet showing your father’s caste, entries in the Gram Panchayat Parivar Register (entries from 1950 or earlier are the strongest ancestral proof), or any old government record showing the family’s caste.
- Local attestation: a certificate from the Gram Pradhan (rural) or ward councillor (urban) confirming your caste and residence.
For OBC NCL (additional):
- An income certificate for the family. The non-creamy-layer status is assessed from it (with salary and agricultural income left out), and without it the NCL status can’t be certified.
How to Apply on eSathi — Step by Step
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Log in to eSathi
Log in at esathi.up.gov.in.
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Choose the caste certificate
Click “आवेदन भरें”, choose “राजस्व विभाग” (Revenue Department) and then “जाति प्रमाण पत्र” (Caste Certificate). Both Hindi and English versions of the form are available on the portal.
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Choose your category
SC, ST or OBC. For OBC, choose the certificate for central government purposes if you need it for UPSC, SSC, Railways, central institutions or All India Quota.
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Enter your caste exactly as listed
Type the caste name exactly as in the official list. Don’t abbreviate it, add suffixes or use another spelling. If you’re unsure, check ncbc.nic.in (central OBC) or ask at the tehsil before filling the form.
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Fill your personal details
Name, father’s name, date of birth and address (district, tehsil, village or ward). Choose rural or urban, and the village or ward, carefully: they decide which area’s Lekhpal (halka) verifies. The Lekhpal verifies in towns as well as villages.
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Upload documents
Each file JPEG or PDF, under 100KB. The self-declaration must be a JPEG with the signature visible. A clear scan of your father’s caste certificate matters most; it prevents verification delays.
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Pay the fee
₹10-15 through PAYGOV. Some district eDistrict pages (Kannauj, for example) list ₹20, so the exact fee can vary by district.
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Submit and save your SRN
Submit and note your Service Request Number (SRN). Track it as explained on the homepage.
What the Lekhpal Verifies for a Caste Certificate
The Lekhpal’s field verification for caste is different from income verification. It’s about showing that the family genuinely belongs to the declared caste, through ancestral evidence and recognition in the community.
1Family caste history
Whether the family has been known as that caste in the village. Ancestral entries in the Gram Panchayat Parivar Register, especially from the 1950s or earlier, are strong evidence, and the father’s or grandfather’s existing certificate is cross-checked.
2Community recognition
The Lekhpal speaks to neighbours and community members to confirm the family’s caste. Where the Lekhpal has been posted for years, this is often existing knowledge rather than a fresh enquiry.
3Old land records
Old Bhulekh records (the pre-computer bahi-khatas) sometimes note caste next to the landowner’s name, which the Lekhpal can use as historical evidence.
4Gram Pradhan's statement
The village head’s statement confirming the family’s caste carries weight, especially when older documents are scarce.
The Lekhpal’s report goes to the Revenue Inspector (Kanungo) and then to the Tehsildar or SDM for approval and digital signature.
Validity Rules — SC/ST vs OBC NCL
| Category | Validity | Renewal? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| SC | For life | No | Valid for state and central purposes |
| ST | For life | No | Same as SC; check your tribe is listed for your district |
| OBC (state format) | Up to 3 years | Check the notification | Many state recruitments ask for one issued within the last year; check the advertisement |
| OBC NCL (central format) | One financial year (April 1 – March 31) | Yes, every year | UPSC, SSC, Railways, IIT, NIT, NEET and JEE All India Quota |
EWS and OBC don’t mix. EWS reservation is only for General (unreserved) candidates who are not SC, ST or OBC. If you are OBC, you can’t claim EWS, and applying for both gets flagged.
Where a Caste Certificate Is Needed — The Reservation Map
Education:
- NEET: All India Quota follows the central percentages (15% SC, 7.5% ST, 27% OBC NCL) and the central lists. UP’s state quota follows UP’s percentages (21% SC, 2% ST, 27% OBC) and the state list.
- JEE Main/Advanced: IIT, NIT and IIIT seats follow the central percentages; OBC seats need the central OBC NCL certificate.
- CUET: central university admissions follow central reservation.
- UP Scholarship: the caste certificate is needed for SC, ST, OBC and minority scholarships on the Saksham portal, and is checked against the eDistrict database.
- State universities: the state caste certificate is enough.
Jobs:
- UPSC (CSE, IFS, CDS), SSC (CGL, CHSL, GD), Railways: the central OBC NCL certificate for OBC; a state OBC certificate is not accepted.
- UPPSC (PCS, RO/ARO): the state OBC certificate is enough.
- UPSSSC (Lekhpal, Junior Assistant, VDO): state format; selection through PET, Mains and DV.
- UP Police (SI, Constable): state format.
Government schemes: housing (PMAY), food security (NFSA), health (Ayushman) and pensions (SSPY) generally accept the state caste certificate where caste matters.
Which caste certificate do I need?
Answer two or three questions to see which format to apply for, whether you need a fresh one, and where to apply.
Certificate you need
Do you need a fresh one?
Validity
Where to apply
Common rejection to avoid
A guide based on the rules on this page, not an official decision. The recruitment notice, counselling brochure or scheme rules decide what is accepted, so always check them.
Common Rejection Reasons — 7 Problems and Fixes
1Caste name doesn't match the official entry
If the certificate says “Pasee” but the official entry reads “Pasi, Tarmali”, that one-letter spelling mistake gets rejected. Check the exact entry in the Presidential Order (SC/ST) or the NCBC or state list (OBC) before applying.
2State OBC certificate used for a central purpose
UPSC, SSC and NEET All India Quota need the central OBC NCL format. A valid state OBC certificate is worth nothing at a central DV without the central-list reference and NCL declaration.
3OBC NCL from the wrong financial year
For central purposes, NCL is judged on the financial year(s) the notice specifies, and many notices require a certificate issued on or after a cutoff date they name, so an older one is often rejected. Check the notice and get one for the current year.
4No ancestral caste proof uploaded
With no father’s certificate, school record or Parivar Register entry, the Lekhpal has no documents to go on. The application then rests entirely on the field assessment, which takes longer and may not be enough.
5Self-declaration unsigned or in PDF
The self-declaration form must be signed and uploaded as a JPEG under 100KB. It’s the most common rejection for every certificate type.
6Applied for central format; caste only on the state list
The Tehsildar can’t issue a central OBC NCL certificate if your caste isn’t on the central list at ncbc.nic.in. Check the central list first; if your caste is only on the state list, you get state OBC benefits only.
7Income over the NCL limit
If, after leaving out salary and agricultural income, the family’s income is still over ₹8 lakh, NCL is refused. You stay OBC but fall in the creamy layer, with no reservation in education or jobs.
Quick Reference
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Certificate name (Hindi) | जाति प्रमाण पत्र (Jati Praman Patra) |
| Department | Revenue Department, UP |
| Issued by | Tehsildar / SDM |
| Apply on | esathi.up.gov.in |
| Fee (eSathi) | ₹10-15 (some district listings, e.g. Kannauj, show ₹20) |
| Fee (CSC) | ₹30 + facilitation |
| Processing | 7-15 working days |
| Field verification | Lekhpal of your area (halka), in towns and villages |
| SC/ST validity | For life |
| OBC NCL validity (central) | One financial year (April 1 – March 31) |
| OBC validity (state) | Up to 3 years; check each notification |
| Scheduled Castes in UP | 66 |
| Scheduled Tribes in UP | 15 (many limited to specific districts) |
| OBC communities in UP (state list) | About 79 |
| Central OBC list | ncbc.nic.in |
| SC/ST lists | Constitution (SC) and (ST) Orders, 1950 |
| NCL income limit | ₹8 lakh (salary and agricultural income not counted) |
| Central reservation | SC 15%, ST 7.5%, OBC 27% |
| UP state reservation | SC 21%, ST 2%, OBC 27% |
| False declaration | BNS 2023 Sections 236/237 (was IPC 199/200): up to 3 years, 7 in a judicial proceeding |
| Helpline | 0522-2304706 |
Frequently asked questions
What is a caste certificate in UP?
An official document (जाति प्रमाण पत्र) issued by the Tehsildar or SDM confirming that you belong to a Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe or Other Backward Class listed for Uttar Pradesh. You apply on eSathi (esathi.up.gov.in), the Lekhpal verifies it, and the Tehsildar signs it digitally.
Is a UP caste certificate valid for UPSC and SSC?
SC and ST certificates are accepted for central purposes when the caste is in the Constitution's SC/ST Orders for UP. For OBC, central jobs, central institutions and NEET/JEE All India Quota need an OBC non-creamy-layer certificate in the central government format, and your caste must be on the central OBC list. A state-format OBC certificate is not accepted there.
How long is a caste certificate valid?
SC and ST: for life, with no renewal. OBC: your caste status doesn't expire, but the non-creamy-layer part is assessed for a financial year. For central purposes you need an NCL certificate for the relevant financial year; for state purposes, up to 3 years, but follow what the notification asks for (many ask for a certificate issued within the last year).
What is the difference between the state and central OBC lists?
The state OBC list is notified by the UP government and is used for UPPSC, UPSSSC, UP Police and state universities. The central OBC list for UP is kept by the NCBC (ncbc.nic.in) and is used for UPSC, SSC, Railways, IITs, NITs, central universities and NEET/JEE All India Quota. Your caste must be on the list that applies to what you're applying for.
My caste is on UP's OBC list but not the central list. Can I get central reservation?
No. Central OBC reservation needs your caste to be on the central list for Uttar Pradesh at ncbc.nic.in. A state OBC certificate gives no reservation at UPSC, SSC or NEET All India Quota if the caste isn't on the central list.
My father has an SC certificate. Do I need my own?
Yes. A caste certificate is individual, so each person needs their own. Your father's certificate is the strongest proof when you apply; upload it with your eSathi application and verification is usually much quicker.
What if no family member has a caste certificate?
Upload other proof: a 10th marksheet or school record showing your father's caste, Gram Panchayat Parivar Register entries (entries from 1950 or earlier are the strongest ancestral proof), or a Gram Pradhan or ward councillor's attestation. The Lekhpal then verifies through community knowledge and old records.
What does the Lekhpal check for a caste certificate?
Your family's caste history through ancestral documents and Parivar Register entries, recognition in the community, old land records that note caste with the owner's name, and the Gram Pradhan's statement. Caste verification is about lineage, not current income.
My OBC NCL certificate has expired. What do I do?
Apply on eSathi for a fresh NCL certificate for the current financial year, with a current income certificate. It usually takes 7-15 working days. If your DV date is close, apply at once and explain the urgency at the tehsil. Non-creamy-layer status is judged on the income and status of the financial year(s) the recruitment notice specifies (a DoPT OM dated 31.03.2016 ties NCL to the financial year), and many notices require a certificate issued on or after a cutoff date they name, so an older certificate is often rejected. Check the notice.
Can I have both OBC and EWS certificates?
No. EWS is only for General (unreserved) category candidates who are not SC, ST or OBC. If you are OBC, you claim OBC reservation, not EWS.