Caste, EWS, Income & Domicile Certificate Guide
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Quick answer
You can apply for caste, OBC-NCL, EWS, income and domicile certificates online on your state’s e-district / service portal (for example e-District UP, RTPS Bihar, e-Mitra Rajasthan, Aaple Sarkar Maharashtra) or at a Common Service Centre. They are issued by the Tehsildar or SDM, usually in 7–30 days. For central government jobs, OBC-NCL and EWS certificates must be in the central government format and of the year the notification specifies.
You can also apply at a Common Service Centre (CSC), Lok Seva Kendra or your Tehsil office.
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) certificate
- Who needs it
- OBC candidates claiming reservation. Creamy-layer OBCs are treated as General.
- Issued by
- Tehsildar / SDM / DM
- Validity
- Non-creamy-layer status is based on family income of the previous three financial years. Central notifications usually ask for a certificate issued on or after a date in the notification — get a fresh one each year.
- Usual time
- 7–30 days
Documents to keep ready
- ✓Aadhaar card
- ✓Caste certificate of father / family (if any)
- ✓Parents’ income proof (ITR, salary slip or income certificate) for 3 years
- ✓Land / property details
- ✓Residence proof
- ✓Affidavit / self-declaration
Important for job forms
- ⚠️Central government jobs need the OBC-NCL certificate in the central format; a state OBC certificate is not accepted unless your caste is also on the central OBC list.
- ⚠️Income from salary and agriculture is not counted for the ₹8 lakh creamy-layer limit; parents’ posts and other income are — read the DoPT rules carefully.
- ⚠️Apply early — the certificate must usually be issued on or before the closing date of the form.
How to use the Certificate Guide
- 1Choose the certificateSC/ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, income or domicile.
- 2Choose your stateOpen the official portal link shown for your state.
- 3Keep documents readyUse the list shown — Aadhaar, family caste proof, income proof, residence proof, affidavit.
- 4Apply earlySubmit well before the last date of the job form; most forms need the certificate issued on or before that date.
Official certificate portals by state
| State | Portal |
|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | Village / Ward Secretariat (GSWS) — vswsonline.ap.gov.in |
| Assam | Sewa Setu — sewasetu.assam.gov.in |
| Bihar | RTPS — ServicePlus Bihar — serviceonline.bihar.gov.in |
| Chhattisgarh | e-District Chhattisgarh — edistrict.cgstate.gov.in |
| Delhi | e-District Delhi — edistrict.delhigovt.nic.in |
| Goa | Goa Online — goaonline.gov.in |
| Gujarat | Digital Gujarat — www.digitalgujarat.gov.in |
| Haryana | Saral Haryana — saralharyana.gov.in |
| Himachal Pradesh | e-District HP — edistrict.hp.gov.in |
| Jharkhand | JharSewa — jharsewa.jharkhand.gov.in |
| Karnataka | Nadakacheri — nadakacheri.karnataka.gov.in |
| Kerala | e-District Kerala — edistrict.kerala.gov.in |
| Madhya Pradesh | MP e-District — mpedistrict.gov.in |
| Maharashtra | Aaple Sarkar — aaplesarkar.mahaonline.gov.in |
| Odisha | e-District Odisha — edistrict.odisha.gov.in |
| Punjab | Connect Punjab (Sewa Kendra) — connect.punjab.gov.in |
| Rajasthan | e-Mitra — emitra.rajasthan.gov.in |
| Tamil Nadu | TN e-Sevai — tnesevai.tn.gov.in |
| Telangana | MeeSeva — ts.meeseva.telangana.gov.in |
| Uttar Pradesh | e-District UP — edistrict.up.gov.in |
| Uttarakhand | e-Services Uttarakhand (Apuni Sarkar) — eservices.uk.gov.in |
| West Bengal | Caste Certificate WB / e-District WB — castcertificatewb.gov.in |
You can also apply at a Common Service Centre (CSC), Lok Seva Kendra or the Tehsil office.
Validity of each certificate
| Certificate | Validity for job forms |
|---|---|
| SC / ST caste certificate | Generally valid for life once issued in the prescribed format; some states ask for a fresh copy or verification. |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) certificate | Non-creamy-layer status is based on family income of the previous three financial years. Central notifications usually ask for a certificate issued on or after a date in the notification — get a fresh one each year. |
| EWS Income & Asset Certificate | Valid for one financial year: it is based on the income of the previous financial year. Use the certificate the notification asks for (often of the year before the closing date). |
| Income certificate | Usually valid for 6 months to 1 year, depending on the state and the purpose. |
| Domicile / Residence certificate | Usually permanent, but many states ask for one issued within a set period — check the notification. |
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I apply for an EWS certificate online?+
On your state’s service portal (e-district / RTPS / e-Mitra etc.) or at a CSC, with Aadhaar, family income proof of the previous financial year, property details and a self-declaration.
What is the income limit for EWS?+
Gross annual family income below ₹8 lakh from all sources in the previous financial year, plus limits on land and house property.
Is the OBC certificate valid for one year?+
Caste status does not change, but non-creamy-layer status is income-based, so central recruitments ask for a certificate issued on or after a date in the notification — effectively a fresh one each year.
Who issues caste certificates?+
The competent authority of the state — usually the Tehsildar, SDM or District Magistrate.
Can I use my state OBC certificate for SSC or Railway jobs?+
Only if it is issued in the central government format and your caste is on the central OBC list.
How long does it take to get a caste certificate?+
Usually 7–30 days depending on the state and verification. Apply early.
Requirements differ between recruitments. Always follow the official notification of the exam you are applying for.