UP Caste Certificate (Jati Praman Patra) —
Online Application Guide 2026
How to apply for SC/ST/OBC caste certificate on eDistrict UP (eSathi). Required documents, ₹10–15 fee, validity rules, state vs central format, OBC creamy layer — everything in one guide.
Quick Answer
Apply: esathi.up.gov.in → Login → Select "जाति प्रमाण पत्र" (Caste Certificate) → Fill form → Upload documents → Pay ₹10–15 → Submit
Documents: Aadhaar + Self-declaration form + Ration card + Father's/relative's old caste certificate (or Gram Pradhan letter) + Photo
Fee: ₹10–15 (eSathi) | ₹30 + facilitation (CSC)
Processing: 7–15 working days
Validity: SC/ST — Lifetime | OBC NCL — 1–3 financial years (depends on use case)
Issued by: Tehsildar, Revenue Department
What is a Caste Certificate?
A caste certificate (जाति प्रमाण पत्र / Jati Praman Patra) is an official government document that confirms a person belongs to a specific caste listed under the Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), or Other Backward Classes (OBC) in the state of Uttar Pradesh. It is issued by the Tehsildar through the eDistrict UP portal.
The system of caste certificates in India has its roots in the Constitution itself. After independence, the government established affirmative action (reservation) to help historically disadvantaged communities. The castes and tribes eligible for these benefits are listed through Presidential Orders — the first being the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950. Uttar Pradesh has approximately 250 listed castes across the SC, ST, OBC, and General categories.
There is a critical distinction most people miss: the Central OBC list and the State OBC list for UP are different. If you are applying for central government jobs, central universities, or all-India exams like UPSC, SSC, or Railway, your caste must appear in the Central list maintained by the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) at ncbc.nic.in. For state government jobs, state schemes, and UP-specific benefits, the state list applies. A caste that appears in the UP state OBC list may not be in the central list, and vice versa. Always verify your caste against the correct list before applying.
Types of Caste Certificates in UP
SC (Scheduled Caste) Certificate
For castes listed in the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order for Uttar Pradesh. SC status is determined by birth — it does not change based on income. The certificate has lifetime validity and does not need renewal.
ST (Scheduled Tribe) Certificate
For tribes listed in the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order for Uttar Pradesh. Like SC, ST classification is based on tribal characteristics and is not linked to income. Lifetime validity. Unlike SC, tribal status is not linked to religion — a tribal person can practice any religion and retain ST status.
OBC (Other Backward Classes) Certificate — Non-Creamy Layer
OBC reservation benefits are available only to families in the "Non-Creamy Layer" (NCL) — meaning families whose total annual income (excluding salary and agricultural income) is below ₹8 lakh. The creamy layer ceiling has been ₹8 lakh since August 2017. The OBC-NCL certificate requires periodic renewal. For central government purposes (UPSC, SSC, Railway, central universities), it is valid for one financial year (April 1 — March 31). For UP state government purposes, certificates up to 3 years old may be accepted.
Important: Don't confuse "OBC Certificate" with "OBC Non-Creamy Layer Certificate." Most government jobs and competitive exams specifically require the NCL version. Submitting a plain OBC certificate without the NCL declaration can lead to rejection of your application.
Where You Need a Caste Certificate
Government Job Reservation
SC/ST get reservation in Group A, B, C, D posts. OBC-NCL gets 27% reservation. Mandatory for UPSC, UPPSC (PCS), SSC, Railway, UP Police, UP Lekhpal, and all state and central recruitment.
Age Relaxation in Competitive Exams
SC/ST typically get 5 years age relaxation, OBC gets 3 years. Caste certificate required.
Education Reservation
Reserved seats in IIT, NIT, AIIMS, central and state universities. Mandatory during NEET, JEE, CUET counselling document verification.
UP Scholarship
SC/ST/OBC students on the Saksham portal need a valid caste certificate alongside their income certificate.
Fee Concession & Hostel
Many institutions offer fee waivers and hostel priority to SC/ST/OBC students.
Government Welfare Schemes
Old age pension, widow pension, PMAY, Ujjwala — all require caste verification.
Documents Required
Have these scanned and ready before starting. All files under 100KB, JPEG or PDF format. Use the Document & Fee Checker tool for a personalised checklist.
Aadhaar Card
Mandatory for e-KYC. Name must match exactly.
Self-Declaration Form
Download from the portal, fill, sign, scan under 100KB as JPEG. See Self-Declaration Form guide.
Ration Card
Family identification and address proof.
Father's or relative's old Caste Certificate
If a family member (father, grandfather, sibling) already has a caste certificate, attaching a copy significantly speeds up verification.
Gram Pradhan or Ward Councillor Certificate
A letter from the village head or ward councillor confirming your caste. Must be on letterhead with signature and stamp. Required if you don't have a family member's old certificate.
Passport Size Photograph
JPEG, under 50KB.
For OBC-NCL specifically: You also need a valid Income Certificate proving family income is below ₹8 lakh per annum.
How to Apply — Step by Step
Log in to eSathi
Select the service
Select "जाति प्रमाण पत्र" (Caste Certificate) from the Revenue Department services.
Choose your location and category
Choose your district, tehsil, and category (SC / ST / OBC).
Enter personal details
Enter name, father's name, mother's name, date of birth, gender. These auto-fill from Aadhaar e-KYC.
Enter caste name
Enter your caste name exactly as it appears in the official UP government SC/ST/OBC list. Spelling variations — even one letter — can cause rejection.
Enter address details
Enter village/ward, block/tehsil, district, PIN code. Select Rural or Urban based on where you actually live.
Upload documents
Upload all required documents. Each file under 100KB, JPEG or PDF.
Pay the fee
Pay ₹10–15 via PAYGOV (UPI, net banking, debit card).
Submit and save your SRN
Submit and save your Service Request Number (SRN). Track status on the Application Status page.
What Happens After You Apply
System assigns your application
Your application is assigned to the Lekhpal (rural) or Revenue Inspector (urban).
Lekhpal conducts field verification
Primarily a community inquiry. The officer visits your area, consults neighbours and community leaders, checks local records. If you attached a family member's existing caste certificate, the Lekhpal can cross-verify, making it faster.
Lekhpal submits verification report
The verification report is submitted to the Tehsildar.
Tehsildar reviews the report
The Tehsildar checks the caste against the official UP SC/ST/OBC list.
Tehsildar applies Digital Signature
The certificate is digitally signed and generated.
Certificate available for download
Available for download in your eSathi dashboard and DigiLocker.
Processing time: 7–15 working days. Cases with a family member's existing certificate often process faster (5–7 days).
State Format vs Central Format
State format
The caste certificate issued through eDistrict UP (eSathi portal) is in the UP state format. It is valid for UP state government jobs, UP state schemes, UPPSC exams, UP Police recruitment, and all state-level benefits.
Central format
For central government jobs, UPSC, SSC, Railway recruitment, IIT/NIT/AIIMS admissions, and CUET counselling, many notifications ask for the central government format. The eDistrict UP certificate is generally accepted for central purposes — but if a specific recruitment notification mentions "Central Government format," visit your SDM/DM office with your eDistrict certificate and request the central format version.
Validity Rules
| Category | Validity | Renewal needed? |
|---|---|---|
| SC | Lifetime | No |
| ST | Lifetime | No |
| OBC-NCL (state purposes) | Up to 3 years | Check specific notification |
| OBC-NCL (central — UPSC, SSC, Railway) | 1 financial year (April 1 — March 31) | Yes, annually |
Pro tip for competitive exam aspirants: Apply for your OBC-NCL certificate in April–May each year, right after the new financial year starts. This gives you a valid certificate for the entire exam and counselling season.
Common Rejection Reasons — And How to Avoid Them
1Caste name doesn't match the official UP SC/ST/OBC list
Even minor spelling variations cause rejection. Check the official list at ncbc.nic.in (central) or the UP government's notification (state) before applying.
2Gram Pradhan / Ward Councillor certificate missing or unclear
Get a fresh letter on letterhead with clear signature and stamp. The letter should specifically mention your caste name.
3Father's caste certificate not attached
While not technically mandatory, the absence makes verification harder. If any family member has an existing certificate, attach it.
4Failed field verification
The Lekhpal couldn't confirm your caste through local inquiry. Ensure someone is at your address during the 7–15 day verification window. Keep your registered mobile active — the Lekhpal may call.
5OBC income exceeds ₹8 lakh creamy layer ceiling
For central purposes, salary and agricultural income are excluded from the ₹8 lakh calculation — only other income (business, rent, interest) counts.
6Caste in state list but not in central list
For central exams, check ncbc.nic.in → State-wise central OBC list → Uttar Pradesh before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a caste certificate valid in UP?
SC/ST certificates have lifetime validity. OBC-NCL is valid for 1 financial year for central purposes (UPSC, SSC, Railway) and up to 3 years for some state purposes — always check the specific notification.
What is the creamy layer income limit for OBC?
₹8 lakh per annum (since August 2017, unchanged as of August 2026). Important: for central purposes, salary and agricultural income are excluded from this calculation. Only business income, rent, interest, and other non-salary income counts.
I need a caste certificate for UPSC. Will the eDistrict UP certificate work?
Generally yes — the digitally signed certificate from the Tehsildar is accepted. However, UPSC specifically requires the OBC-NCL certificate in the central format and your caste must be in the central OBC list at ncbc.nic.in (not just the state list). If the notification specifies "central format," get it from your DM/SDM office.
My father has an SC certificate. Do I need to apply separately?
Yes. Each individual needs their own caste certificate. However, attaching your father's certificate as a supporting document speeds up your Lekhpal verification significantly.
Can I apply for both OBC and EWS?
No. EWS reservation is only for General category candidates. If you belong to SC/ST/OBC, you claim reservation under your category, not EWS. These are mutually exclusive.
What if my caste is listed in the UP state list but not in the central list?
You can still get a state caste certificate for UP state benefits. But for central government jobs, central exams, and central university admissions, you cannot claim OBC reservation with a caste that is only in the state list. You would apply as General category for central purposes.
Is the caste certificate valid for NEET/JEE counselling?
Yes. For NEET and JEE counselling through MCC and JoSAA, the caste certificate is mandatory during document verification. For OBC-NCL, it must be from the current financial year.
How much does a caste certificate cost?
₹10–15 through eSathi. Through CSC, ₹30 government fee plus facilitation fee.
My application was rejected because of caste name spelling. What do I do?
Check the exact spelling in the Presidential Order (SC/ST) or the official UP government OBC notification. Reapply with the exact official spelling. Even a single letter difference matters.
Quick Reference Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Certificate name (Hindi) | जाति प्रमाण पत्र (Jati Praman Patra) |
| Issuing authority | Tehsildar, Revenue Department |
| Apply at | esathi.up.gov.in |
| eSathi fee | ₹10–15 |
| CSC fee | ₹30 + facilitation |
| Processing time | 7–15 working days |
| SC/ST validity | Lifetime |
| OBC NCL validity (central) | 1 financial year |
| OBC NCL validity (state) | Up to 3 years (check notification) |
| Creamy layer ceiling | ₹8 lakh/year (salary + agriculture excluded) |
| Central OBC list check | ncbc.nic.in |
| Verification by | Lekhpal (rural) / Revenue Inspector (urban) |
| File size limit | 100KB per document, JPEG or PDF |
| Helpline | 0522-2304706 |