Meghalaya Caste Certificate

Caste certificate is an essential legal document that serves as a proof of an individual belonging to a specific caste as classified under the Constitution of India. In India, people belonging to certain classes such as Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribe, and Other Backward Class are not represented adequately in the country, and thus the Government of India makes special provisions available for them. To avail such privileges provided by the Government, people belonging to backward classes should especially possess a caste certificate as evidence for their belonging to that particular class. In this article, we look at the procedure for obtaining a Meghalaya caste certificate in detail. The major benefits of possessing a caste certificate include an availing reservation, scholarship, and fee concession from educational institutions, higher opportunities of getting a government job etc.

Eligibility Criteria

Any person who is a permanent resident of Meghalaya and has sufficient documents proving the social stratification of those people as belonging to the specified backward class is eligible to obtain a caste certificate from the State Government of Meghalaya.

Documents Required

The following documents are to be furnished along with the duly filled application form to apply for the SC/ST caste certificate in Meghalaya.

Proof of Birth (Birth Certificate)
Domicile Certificate/Residential Proof (EPIC/Voter's Card of self/parent/guardian, Ration Card)
Caste certificate of parents/siblings (mandatory for children below 18 years)
NOC from the district council in case of inter-caste marriage
Passport size photographs (2 nos)
Supporting Document (Self/Parent/Guardian)
In the case of an adopted child, it is mandatory to attach an adoption Proof, which can be a Court Order/Registered Adoption Deed.
The applicant should produce other State SC/ST/OBC proof issued by the competent authority of the same if parents have obtained caste certificate from other State or migrated from other State.

In the case of a married woman, the following documents are to be produced by the same.

Aadhaar Card
The married woman has to submit an extract of her birth certificate/ school leaving certificate to prove her caste before marriage.
Attested copy of the marriage certificate.

Fee & Validity

The State Government of Meghalaya issues the caste certificate to its citizens at a stamp fee of Rs.5, which has validity for a period of 5 years.

How to Apply

Offline Application Process

The applicant can apply offline by visiting the National ST Commission (NSTC) or National SC Commission office and procure the application form. On filling the application form with necessary details, the prescribed documents must be submitted to the authority of the office. On processing the application, the Assistant Director, who is the competent authority for the grant of the certificate, will issue it to the applicant. The copy of the application form is provided below.

Online Application Process

Meghalaya launched the e-district project in 2016 under which the citizens of the State can avail the services with ease and experience a faster delivery of the digitally signed certificate. The online services are made available in three modes.