CSC Guide for eDistrict UP
— Jan Seva Kendra Services, Fees & Locator (2026)
How to find the nearest CSC (Jan Seva Kendra), what the correct fees are, how to protect yourself from overcharging, and how to track your application after submitting through a CSC — everything in one place.
Quick Answer
Find the nearest CSC: locator.csccloud.in → Uttar Pradesh → select district and block → get address and contact details
eDistrict certificate fee at a CSC: ₹30 government fee + ₹30–50 facilitation fee (usually ₹60–80 total)
Self-service through eSathi: ₹10–15 (50–80% cheaper)
CSC helpline: 14599 (toll-free) | Mon–Sat, 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
CSC email: helpdesk@csc.gov.in | eDistrict helpline: 0522-2304706
What is a CSC?
A Common Service Centre (CSC), also called a Jan Seva Kendra or, at the block level, a Lokvani Kendra, is a government-authorised physical centre where trained operators help citizens access digital government services. CSCs are part of the Digital India initiative under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
Every CSC is run by a Village Level Entrepreneur (VLE) — a person who has registered through CSC e-Governance Services India Limited and has the required infrastructure (computer, internet, printer, biometric device). There are more than 5.5 lakh CSCs across India — the government's goal is at least one CSC in every gram panchayat. In Uttar Pradesh, CSCs operate across all 75 districts and serve as the primary access point for citizens who don't have their own internet, a smartphone, or the ease of filling out online forms.
For eDistrict UP services, the CSC operator logs in through a separate portal (eseva.csccloud.in) — not the citizen's eSathi portal. They use their VLE credentials to fill out the application form, upload documents, and submit it on your behalf. You pay the government fee and facilitation fee in cash, and you receive a Service Request Number (SRN) so you can independently track your application.
When to Go to a CSC vs. Apply Yourself on eSathi
This is the main decision most people need to make:
Use eSathi (self-service) if you:
- Have a smartphone or a computer with internet access
- Can fill out an online form in Hindi or English
- Want to save money — eSathi costs ₹10–15 per certificate versus ₹60–80+ at a CSC
- Want direct control over your application — to see exactly what is being submitted
- Are comfortable with Aadhaar OTP and online payment (UPI/net banking)
Go to a CSC if you:
- Don't have a smartphone or a reliable internet connection
- Are not comfortable filling out online forms or using government portals
- Are elderly or find it difficult to read on a screen
- Need help scanning and uploading documents (CSCs have scanners and printers)
- Live in a rural area where the nearest CSC is more accessible than online help
- Need several services at once (Aadhaar update + certificate + PAN card)
If you can manage it, the self-service option is objectively better — it's cheaper, faster, and keeps you fully in control. But for a state where only about 30% have internet access and about 78% live in rural areas, the CSC remains an essential service.
How to Find the Nearest CSC
Open locator.csccloud.in in your browser.
Select Uttar Pradesh as the state.
Choose your district from the dropdown.
Choose your block (for rural areas) or urban local body (for urban areas).
A list of CSCs in your area will appear along with the VLE's name, centre name, address, and contact number.
Alternative methods:
- Call the CSC helpline at 14599 (toll-free, Mon–Sat, 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM) and ask about the nearest CSC in your area
- Ask at your local gram panchayat office — they usually know the nearest CSC
- Ask at the Block Development Officer (BDO) office
- Search "Jan Seva Kendra near [your village/town]" on Google Maps — many CSCs are listed there
eDistrict Services Available at a CSC
CSC operators can help you apply for all the certificate services available on the eDistrict UP portal, including:
Revenue Department
Income Certificate, Caste Certificate, Domicile Certificate, Solvency Certificate, Character Certificate, EWS Certificate
Birth and Death
Panchayati Raj
Services Beyond eDistrict
Aadhaar enrolment and updates, PAN card applications, passport appointments, banking services (as a Banking Correspondent), insurance, pension (Jeevan Pramaan for pensioners), PM Kisan eKYC, ration card services, employment registration, and much more. CSCs offer 300+ services beyond eDistrict certificates alone.
Fee Structure — What You Should Pay
This section protects you from overcharging. Know the correct fees before you go:
| Service | CSC Government Fee | eSathi Fee | CSC Facilitation Fee (typical) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Income Certificate | ₹30 | ₹10–15 | ₹30–50 |
| Caste Certificate | ₹30 | ₹10–15 | ₹30–50 |
| Domicile Certificate | ₹30 | ₹10–15 | ₹30–50 |
| Birth Certificate | ₹30 | ₹10–15 | ₹30–50 |
| Death Certificate | ₹30 | ₹10–15 | ₹30–50 |
| Solvency Certificate | ₹120 | ₹120 | ₹30–50 |
| Family Register Copy | ₹30 | ₹10–15 | ₹30–50 |
What this means: For most certificates, you should pay a total of about ₹60–80 at a CSC (₹30 government + ₹30–50 facilitation). If you are asked for ₹150, ₹200, or more for a single certificate, you are being overcharged.
Overcharging is a real problem. A 2018 survey found that 71% of users who obtained certificates at CSCs reported being overcharged — paying an average of ₹101 against the official ₹30 government fee. Hundreds of CSC licences have been cancelled across India for overcharging. The facilitation fee is not standardised nationally — VLEs set their own rates — but ₹30–50 is a reasonable range for basic services.
How to Protect Yourself at a CSC
1Always ask for a printed receipt
The CSC operator should give you a receipt that shows the government fee and facilitation fee separately. If they refuse to give a receipt, that's a red flag.
2Note down your Service Request Number (SRN)
Once the operator submits your application, ask for the SRN immediately. It is your tracking number. You can check your status independently at edistrict.up.gov.in — without the CSC operator's involvement. If the operator says "we'll check the status later" instead of giving you the SRN, insist on getting it right away.
3Never share your eSathi login details
CSC operators use eseva.csccloud.in through their own VLE credentials — not your citizen account. If a CSC operator asks for your eSathi login ID and password, refuse. They don't need it, and they shouldn't be asking for it.
4Check your application details
Before the operator clicks Submit, look at the screen and confirm that your name, address, income figures, caste name, and other details have been entered correctly. Errors in the form are the most common reason for rejection — and you will have to reapply, not the operator.
5Keep your original documents with you
Give the operator photocopies or scanned images for upload. Keep your original Aadhaar, ration card, and other documents with you. Some CSCs keep original documents without needing to.
6Report overcharging or fraud
If you are charged significantly more than the fee table above, or the operator is involved in any kind of fraud:
- Call the CSC helpline: 14599 (toll-free)
- Email: helpdesk@csc.gov.in
- File a complaint at the District Magistrate (DM) office
- Report on the CSC Digital Seva Portal: digitalseva.csc.gov.in
- Contact the eDistrict helpline: 0522-2304706
CSC licences have been cancelled for overcharging. Your complaint can trigger an investigation.
What a CSC Operator Should and Shouldn't Do
Should Do
- Log in using their own VLE credentials (not yours)
- Fill out the form correctly based on your documents
- Let you check the details before submitting
- Give you a printed receipt showing the fee breakdown
- Give you the SRN immediately after submission
- Scan documents to the required specifications (under 100KB, JPEG/PDF)
- Explain the process and expected timeline
Shouldn't Do
- Ask for your eSathi login ID or password
- Keep your original documents
- Charge more than ₹30–50 facilitation fee for a standard certificate
- Refuse to give you a receipt
- Refuse to give you the SRN
- Submit the application without letting you check the details
- Promise a specific approval date (they have no control over the Lekhpal's verification timeline)
- Ask for additional payment after the application is submitted (the fee is one-time)
Tracking Your Application After Submitting Through a CSC
Even though the CSC operator submitted the application on your behalf, you can track it independently:
Without logging in: Go to edistrict.up.gov.in → "Application Status" → enter your SRN → captcha → search. See our application status guide to understand what each status label means.
You don't need the CSC operator to check your status, download your certificate, or do anything after submission. The SRN is the key to your independent tracking. Once your status shows "Certificate Generated," you can download it yourself — though you'll need an eSathi account to download it. If you don't have one, you can get it downloaded through a CSC, or access it via DigiLocker.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between CSC, Jan Seva Kendra, and Lokvani Kendra?
They are the same type of service centre, just different names. CSC is the national name. Jan Seva Kendra is the Hindi name. Lokvani Kendra operates at the block level in UP. All of them offer the same eDistrict services.
How much will a CSC charge for an income certificate?
₹30 government fee + ₹30–50 facilitation fee = about ₹60–80 total. If you are asked for ₹150+ for a single certificate, you are being overcharged. Always ask for a receipt.
Can I apply myself on eSathi and still get help from a CSC?
Yes, but they are two separate routes. If you create your own eSathi account and apply, it will cost only ₹10–15. If you go to a CSC, the operator uses their own credentials and the CSC rate applies.
A CSC operator is asking for my eSathi password — should I give it?
Absolutely not. CSC operators use their own VLE login (eseva.csccloud.in). They never need your eSathi details. If asked, refuse and report it to the CSC helpline 14599.
The CSC operator did not give me an SRN — what should I do?
Go back and insist — an SRN is generated automatically on every submission. Without it, you cannot track your application. If the operator refuses, call 14599 or the eDistrict helpline at 0522-2304706.
Is applying myself through eSathi cheaper?
Yes. eSathi self-service costs ₹10–15 per certificate. At a CSC it is ₹30 government fee + ₹30–50 facilitation fee — roughly 4–6 times more. If you have a phone and internet access, self-service saves a good amount of money, especially if you need several certificates.
What are CSC working hours?
Usually Monday to Saturday, 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM — though this can vary by VLE and location. Closed on Sundays and government holidays.
Can I also get Aadhaar and a PAN card made at a CSC?
Yes. Besides eDistrict, CSCs offer 300+ services — including Aadhaar enrolment/update, PAN card, passport appointments, banking services, insurance, pension (Jeevan Pramaan), PM Kisan eKYC, and much more.
Quick Reference Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Common Service Centre (CSC) / Jan Seva Kendra / Lokvani Kendra |
| Operated By | Village Level Entrepreneur (VLE) |
| Under | MeitY, Digital India initiative |
| Total CSCs in India | 5.5 lakh+ |
| CSC Locator | locator.csccloud.in |
| CSC Operator Portal | eseva.csccloud.in |
| eDistrict Government Fee | ₹30 per certificate |
| Typical Facilitation Fee | ₹30–50 |
| eSathi Self-Service Fee | ₹10–15 per certificate |
| CSC Helpline | 14599 (toll-free) |
| CSC Helpdesk Email | helpdesk@csc.gov.in |
| Working Hours | Mon–Sat, 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM (may vary) |
| eDistrict Helpline | 0522-2304706 |