Andaman & Nicobar OBC Certificate: How to Apply Online, Check Documents and Verify Eligibility

An OBC (Other Backward Classes) Certificate in Andaman and Nicobar Islands is an official document issued by the Revenue Department of the Union Territory Administration. It confirms that the applicant belongs to a community recognised as Other Backward Class for Andaman and Nicobar Islands and ordinarily resides in the Union Territory.

The National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) lists five communities in the Central List of OBCs for Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Karen, Local Borns, Bhatus, Moplas and post-1942 Bengali settlers rehabilitated under Government of India schemes. The Administration also recognises these communities for OBC reservation in its services under the applicable UT notification.

Applicants can apply for an OBC Certificate or OBC Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) Certificate through the official Andaman and Nicobar e-District portal. The Revenue Department has also published the service details and document checklist on the ANI e-Seva portal. The Concerned Tehsildar handles the certificate application.

OBC Communities Recognised in Andaman and Nicobar Islands

The Central List of OBCs maintained by the National Commission for Backward Classes contains five entries for Andaman and Nicobar Islands. These communities are:

• Karen: A community with historical roots in Burma (now Myanmar). The Karen community was brought to the Andaman Islands during the British period and later established settlements in different parts of the islands.
• Local Borns: A recognised category associated with families having established local roots in the islands.
• Bhatus: A community recognised in the OBC list for Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• Moplas: A community included in the notified OBC list for the Union Territory.
• Post-1942 Bengali Settlers: Bengali families settled in the islands under various rehabilitation schemes of the Government of India after 1942. The Central List specifically identifies this category by its rehabilitation background.

The names above follow the entries published by the NCBC. The post-1942 Bengali Settlers entry is specifically linked to rehabilitation under Government of India schemes. Applicants should not assume that every person of Bengali origin automatically qualifies under this entry.

You can verify the community names and their notification details on the NCBC Central List of OBCs. Select Andaman and Nicobar to view the five entries and the corresponding government resolutions.

OBC Reservation Percentage in Andaman and Nicobar Islands

The Andaman and Nicobar Administration has notified 38% reservation for OBC communities in its services. The Administration's Vision 2030 and Seven-Year Strategy document records this reservation under Notification No. 343/2005 dated 16 December 2005, as amended through Notification No. 75/2006 dated 19 April 2006.

This 38% figure relates to reservation in services under the Andaman and Nicobar Administration. It should not be treated as a universal reservation percentage for every Central Government recruitment, educational institution or other organisation.

For Central Government jobs filled through all-India open competition, the general OBC reservation provision is 27%, subject to the applicable recruitment rules and eligibility conditions. Central Government applicants must also satisfy the Non-Creamy Layer requirement where applicable.

Therefore, check the recruitment notification or admission rules before relying on a reservation percentage. The applicable quota depends on the recruiting authority and the type of post or admission.

Official references:

• Andaman and Nicobar Administration - Vision 2030 and Seven-Year Strategy
• Department of Personnel and Training - Reservation in Central Government Services

Eligibility for OBC Certificate in Andaman and Nicobar Islands

To obtain an OBC Certificate, an applicant must establish membership in a community recognised for Andaman and Nicobar Islands and provide the required evidence of ordinary residence and family background.

The main requirements include:

• The applicant must be an Indian citizen.
• The applicant must belong to one of the five communities recognised as OBC for Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• The applicant or their family must ordinarily reside in the Union Territory, as required under the applicable certificate format.
• The applicant must provide a valid Local Certificate and other documents requested by the Revenue Department.
• The applicant must submit supporting family and community records for verification.
• Applicants seeking Central Government OBC reservation benefits must satisfy the applicable Non-Creamy Layer conditions.

OBC recognition and Non-Creamy Layer status are two separate aspects. First, the applicant must establish that their community is recognised as OBC. For reservation benefits that require NCL status, the applicant must also satisfy the prescribed Creamy Layer exclusion criteria.

You can read the Central OBC List for Andaman and Nicobar Islands to verify whether your community appears in the notified list.

Documents Required for OBC Certificate in Andaman and Nicobar Islands

The Revenue Department has published a detailed checklist for the combined OBC Certificate/OBC-NCL service. The documents cover identity, age, local residence, family background and income.

Basic Documents

• Recent passport-size photograph of the applicant.
• Identity proof of the applicant.
• Age proof of the applicant.
• Local Certificate of the applicant.
• Local Certificate of the applicant's father or mother.
• Islander Identity Card of the applicant.
• Affidavit declaring the applicant's community or category.
• Manually issued OBC Certificate, if already available.

Income and Employment Documents

The Administration also asks for financial records to assess the applicant's income and Non-Creamy Layer status, where applicable.

• Pay certificate issued by the Head of Department, office or organisation if the applicant's father is a government employee.
• Pay certificate issued by the Head of Department, office or organisation if the applicant's mother is a government employee.
• Income Certificate.
• Income Tax Returns of the father for the preceding three years.
• Income Tax Returns of the mother for the preceding three years.
• Income Tax Returns of the husband for the preceding three years, where applicable.
• Land records or Record of Rights (ROR).
• Proof of income from other sources.

The portal also provides an "Others" option for additional supporting records. The Tehsildar may request further documents depending on the applicant's family circumstances and the information submitted.

Before applying, check the current list on the Andaman and Nicobar Administration's official e-Services page or the ANI e-Seva Revenue Services list.

How to Apply for OBC Certificate Online in Andaman and Nicobar Islands

The Revenue Department accepts OBC Certificate and OBC-NCL applications through the e-District system. Applicants must register on the portal before accessing the online service.

1. Visit the official e-District portal.
2. Click on the New User option if you do not already have an account. Existing users can log in with their registered credentials.
3. Open the Revenue Department services after logging in.
4. Find the OBC Certificate or OBC-NCL Certificate service.
5. Open the application form and enter your personal, family and residential details.
6. Provide the community details and other information requested in the form.
7. Upload your photograph, identity proof, age proof, Local Certificate, Islander Card and income-related documents, as applicable.
8. Check all entries and uploaded documents before submitting the form.
9. Submit the application and save the acknowledgement or application reference number.
10. Use the reference number to track the application and respond to any clarification or document request from the department.

The Administration's online service system supports fresh and renewal applications, electronic payments where applicable, application tracking, email and SMS alerts, and downloading approved electronic certificates.

You can also open the Administration's online services directory to find the OBC Certificate service and access the relevant application portal.

How to Apply Through a CSC or e-Corner

If you are unable to complete the online application yourself, you can visit a nearby Common Service Centre (CSC) or e-Corner. An operator can help you access the e-District service, fill in the application and upload the required documents.

1. Visit a CSC or e-Corner that provides Andaman and Nicobar e-District services.
2. Ask the operator to open the OBC Certificate/OBC-NCL service.
3. Provide your personal, family and community details.
4. Give the operator the required documents for scanning and uploading.
5. Check the application details before the operator submits the form.
6. Collect the application acknowledgement and reference number.
7. Keep your registered mobile number active to receive application updates.

Carry the original documents along with photocopies. If the department asks for additional information, submit it through the method mentioned in the application notice.

For technical assistance, contact the e-District helpdesk at 03192-259027 or 03192-259028. The official contact details are also available on the e-District application status page.

How to Apply Offline at the Tehsildar Office

Applicants who prefer an in-person process can approach the Tehsildar office responsible for their residential area. The Revenue Department verifies the community, residence and income records before issuing the certificate.

1. Visit the Tehsildar office of your district.
2. Ask for the OBC Certificate or OBC-NCL application procedure.
3. Obtain the prescribed form, if an offline application is accepted.
4. Fill in your personal, family, community and residential details.
5. Attach the applicant's Local Certificate, Islander Identity Card and the Local Certificate of the father or mother.
6. Attach the applicable income, employment, land and tax records.
7. Include the community/category affidavit and any previously issued OBC Certificate, if available.
8. Submit the application and collect the acknowledgement or receipt.
9. Follow the instructions of the Tehsildar office for verification and collection of the approved certificate.

Applicants should confirm the latest offline submission procedure with the concerned Tehsildar before visiting. The Administration also provides online application facilities, so a separate physical form may not be required in every case.

Tehsildar Office Locations by District

Andaman and Nicobar Islands has three districts. Applicants should approach the Tehsildar office responsible for their area of residence.

South Andaman District

• Port Blair
• Ferrargunj
• Little Andaman

Official website: South Andaman District Administration.

North and Middle Andaman District

• Mayabunder
• Diglipur
• Rangat

Official website: North and Middle Andaman District Administration.

Nicobar District

• Car Nicobar
• Nancowry
• Great Nicobar

Official website: Nicobar District Administration.

Before visiting, confirm the office responsible for your locality through the relevant district website or the Revenue Department.

OBC Certificate for Central Government Jobs: Non-Creamy Layer Requirement

An OBC Certificate establishes that the applicant belongs to a recognised Other Backward Class community. However, applicants seeking OBC reservation in Central Government jobs and Central educational institutions must generally provide an OBC Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) Certificate in the prescribed format.

The NCL requirement is based on the Government of India's Creamy Layer exclusion criteria. These criteria consider the prescribed income and other conditions, including certain categories relating to parents' employment status. Therefore, the applicant should not decide NCL eligibility only by checking the family's total annual income.

The Central Government's commonly applicable income ceiling for the OBC Creamy Layer test is ₹8 lakh per annum, subject to the applicable rules and exclusions. The relevant government guidelines also consider parental service categories and other conditions.

The Department of Personnel and Training has published the official Creamy Layer criteria and the prescribed certificate format. Applicants should refer to these documents before applying for Central Government reservation benefits.

• DoPT - Creamy Layer Criteria and Reservation Rules
• DoPT - OBC Certificate Format and Verification Instructions

The Andaman and Nicobar Administration lists OBC Certificate/OBC-NCL Certificate under one Revenue Department service. Select the appropriate certificate requirement based on the purpose for which you need it and the instructions of the recruiting or admission authority.

Processing Time, Application Fee and Validity

The Administration provides online application and tracking facilities for OBC and OBC-NCL certificates. However, the official service details reviewed for this article do not clearly publish a single fixed processing deadline for every OBC application. The actual time may depend on document verification and whether the department asks for additional records.

The ANI e-Seva service listing currently displays the OBC/NCL Certificate service fee as ₹0. If you apply through a CSC or e-Corner, confirm whether any separate facilitation or scanning charge applies before submitting the application.

Validity of OBC and NCL Certificates

The community recognition part of an OBC Certificate establishes the applicant's category. However, Non-Creamy Layer status depends on the applicable income and other eligibility conditions, which can change over time.

For Central Government recruitment and admissions, the authority may require an NCL certificate issued for a specified financial year or within a particular period. Follow the date and financial-year requirements mentioned in the relevant recruitment notification or admission prospectus.

For example, the Andaman and Nicobar Administration's recruitment notices specify the financial years and issue dates accepted for OBC-NCL certificates. Always check the latest notice instead of assuming that an older certificate will be accepted for every purpose.

You can refer to the Andaman and Nicobar Administration recruitment portal for certificate-related instructions in individual recruitment advertisements.

How to Track OBC Certificate Application Status

After submitting your application, you can check its progress through the e-District portal. Keep the application reference number available because the system uses it to identify your request.

1. Open the official e-District application status page.
2. Enter the application number mentioned on your acknowledgement.
3. Submit the details to view the current application status.
4. If the department has returned the application for clarification, follow the instructions and provide the requested documents.
5. Check your registered mobile number and email for application-related alerts.

The Administration also provides a facility to download an approved electronic certificate. Log in to the e-Services portal, open the application tracking section and select the delivered application. You can then use the Output Certificate option to view and print the issued document.

For certificate verification, use the portal's Verify your Certificate facility and enter the application reference number and token number printed on the certificate.

Official portal: Andaman and Nicobar e-Services.

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