By shahrukh
7 min read
Bihar Income Certificate
Bihar Income Certificate

Bihar issues its income certificate - called Aay Praman Patra (आय प्रमाण पत्र) - through the RTPS (Right to Public Service) portal at serviceonline.bihar.gov.in, which runs on NIC's ServicePlus software. What makes Bihar's system unique compared to other states is the three-level application structure: you choose whether your certificate is to be issued at the Circle/Block level (Anchal), Sub-Division level (SDO), or District level (DM). Most applicants go with the Circle/Block level for routine purposes like scholarships, as it is the fastest. The SDO and DM levels are needed for government job applications, court purposes, or when specifically required. There is zero application fee on the Bihar RTPS portal. The certificate is delivered directly to you by SMS download link, email attachment, DigiLocker, or you can download it from the portal - you do not need to visit any office to collect it. The portal now uses Meri Pehchaan (National Single Sign-On) for login.

Key Details

Detail Information
Official Name Aay Praman Patra (आय प्रमाण पत्र)
Portal serviceonline.bihar.gov.in
Application Fee Zero (free)
Login Method Meri Pehchaan (National Single Sign-On)
Three Application Levels Circle/Block (Anchal), Sub-Division (SDO), District (DM)
Processing Time 7 to 15 working days
Validity 1 year from date of issue
Certificate Delivery SMS link, Email, DigiLocker, Portal download, CSC/RTPS counter
Governing Act Bihar Right to Public Service Act 2011
RTPS Appeal Portal rtpsappeal.bihar.gov.in
Helpdesk Email [email protected]

The 3-Level System - Which Level Should You Choose

Bihar's income certificate has three levels of issuance - confirmed directly from the official serviceonline.bihar.gov.in portal homepage. Each level has a different issuing officer:

Level Hindi Name Issuing Officer When to Choose
Circle / Block Level अंचल स्तर पर Circle Officer (CO) Routine purposes - scholarships, fee concession, ration card, most government schemes
Sub-Division Level अनुमंडल स्तर पर Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) When specifically required by a scheme, institution, or form - e.g. some state-level job applications
District Level जिला स्तर पर District Magistrate (DM) Central government jobs, court purposes, IIT/NIT admissions requiring DM-level certificate

For most scholarship and college admission purposes, the Circle/Block level certificate is accepted. If you are unsure, check the requirement document of the scheme you are applying for.

Income Certificate, EWS Certificate and NCL Certificate - What is Different

Bihar's RTPS portal issues three types of income-related certificates under the General Administration Department - all available at all 3 levels:

  • Aay Praman Patra (Income Certificate): Certifies annual family income from all sources. Required for scholarships, fee concessions, welfare schemes, ration card, and general income-based benefits.
  • EWS Certificate (Economically Weaker Section): Income and Asset Certificate for EWS category. Required for 10% EWS reservation in central government jobs and IIT/NIT admissions. Family income must be below Rs. 8 lakh per annum. This is a separate application from the regular income certificate.
  • NCL Certificate - Bihar Govt purposes: Non-Creamy Layer certificate for OBC reservation in state government jobs and schemes.
  • NCL Certificate - Central Govt purposes: Non-Creamy Layer certificate for OBC reservation in central government jobs. Bihar issues these as two separate certificates - one for state purposes and one for central purposes. Choose the correct one based on where you need to submit it.

Who Can Apply

  • Must be a permanent resident of Bihar
  • Aadhaar must be active and linked to a mobile number (Meri Pehchaan login requires OTP verification)
  • All categories of residents - students for scholarships, families for government schemes, those needing EWS or NCL certificates for reservations
  • Bihar RTPS services are also available at block-level RTPS counters and CSC/Jan Seva Kendras for those without internet access

Documents Required

  • Aadhaar Card - mandatory for identity verification and Meri Pehchaan login
  • Self-declaration of income - declaring total annual family income from all sources (salary, agriculture, business, pension, rental income, etc.)
  • Income Proof - whichever is applicable:
    • Salary certificate or recent pay slip
    • ITR or Form 16 (for income tax filers)
    • Bank passbook or account statements
    • Agricultural land records showing farming income
  • Residence proof - ration card, electricity bill, or other document confirming Bihar address
  • For EWS certificate: Land ownership details must also be declared (family should not own 5 acres or more of agricultural land)

How to Apply Online - Step by Step

  1. Go to serviceonline.bihar.gov.in.
  2. Click Login on the top right. The portal uses Meri Pehchaan (National Single Sign-On). If you have not registered on Meri Pehchaan before, create an account there first with your Aadhaar or mobile number.
  3. After logging in, click Online Application from the left menu.
  4. Click RTPS Services and then General Administration Department.
  5. Click Aay Praman Patra Ka Nirgaman (Income Certificate).
  6. Choose your level - Anchal Star par (Circle level), Anumandal Star par (Sub-Division level), or Jila Star par (District level).
  7. The application form opens. Fill in your name, father's name, address, annual income from each source, and purpose of the certificate.
  8. Upload required documents.
  9. Submit. An Application Reference Number is generated. Save this for tracking.
  10. Once processed and approved, the certificate is sent via SMS download link, email, DigiLocker, or available for download on the portal. You do not need to visit any office to collect it.

How to Apply at RTPS Counter or CSC

If you do not have internet access or are unfamiliar with online processes, visit your nearest:

  • Block-level RTPS counter (Anchal/Block office) - for Circle level certificate
  • SDO office RTPS counter - for Sub-Division level certificate
  • DM office RTPS counter - for District level certificate
  • CSC/Jan Seva Kendra - operators will apply online on your behalf

At RTPS counters, there is no fee. At CSC/Jan Seva Kendra, a small service charge may apply.

How to Check Application Status

  1. Go to serviceonline.bihar.gov.in.
  2. Click Track Application Status on the homepage.
  3. Enter your Application Reference Number and the date of application.
  4. Click Submit. The current status is displayed - whether it is under review, approved, or rejected.

How to Download the Certificate

After approval, you can get your certificate in multiple ways:

  • SMS link: A download link is sent to your registered mobile number when the certificate is ready
  • Email: Certificate is sent as an attachment to your registered email
  • DigiLocker: Certificate is pushed to your DigiLocker automatically - check under Issued Documents
  • Portal download: Log in to serviceonline.bihar.gov.in and download from your application
  • RTPS counter: Collect a printed copy from the block/SDO/DM RTPS counter if preferred

How to Verify a Bihar Income Certificate

  1. Go to serviceonline.bihar.gov.in.
  2. On the homepage, look for the certificate verification option - enter your Submission ID (Praman Patra Number).
  3. Certificates issued after 24 April 2017 can be verified online through the portal.

What to Do If Your Certificate Is Delayed or Rejected

Bihar's RTPS is governed by the Bihar Right to Public Service Act 2011 which sets binding timelines for each certificate. If your income certificate is not issued within the prescribed time:

  • File an RTPS Appeal at rtpsappeal.bihar.gov.in. The appeal portal lets you escalate the delay officially to higher authorities.
  • Contact the helpdesk at [email protected].
  • Visit the concerned RTPS counter (Block, SDO, or DM office) with your Application Reference Number and enquire directly.

Official Links

Helpdesk Email: [email protected]
Officials Processing Portal: serviceonline.bihar.gov.in/officials

Related articles:
Income Certificate in India - Complete Guide
Bihar Ration Card - Apply Online and Download

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Always verify the latest process at serviceonline.bihar.gov.in before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Zero. There is no application fee for income certificate (or any other RTPS certificate) on serviceonline.bihar.gov.in. This is confirmed directly from the official RTPS Bihar portal.

For most purposes like scholarships, fee concessions, ration card, and state government schemes, the Circle/Block level is sufficient and fastest. Choose SDO level if the form or scheme specifically requires an SDO-level certificate. Choose DM level for central government job applications or IIT/NIT EWS certificates where DM-level certificate is specifically required.

No. Once approved, the certificate is delivered directly to you via SMS download link, email attachment, or DigiLocker. You can also download it from the portal by logging in. You only need to visit an office if you want a physically printed copy from the RTPS counter.

Income Certificate (Aay Praman Patra) certifies total annual family income and is used for scholarships, schemes, and ration card. EWS Certificate (Income and Asset Certificate) is specifically for the 10% EWS reservation in central government jobs and admissions - requires family income below Rs. 8 lakh and no large land or property holdings. NCL (Non-Creamy Layer) Certificate is for OBC reservation - Bihar issues two versions: one for state purposes and one for central government purposes. All four are available at all 3 levels on serviceonline.bihar.gov.in.

The Bihar RTPS portal uses Meri Pehchaan (National Single Sign-On/NSSO). Create a Meri Pehchaan account if you do not have one. The portal's own direct registration may also be available - check the Self Support section on serviceonline.bihar.gov.in for the latest login instructions.

Go to serviceonline.bihar.gov.in, click Track Application Status, enter your Application Reference Number and date, and submit. Your current status is displayed.

1 year from the date of issue. Unlike Uttar Pradesh which issues income certificates valid for 3 years, Bihar follows the standard 1-year validity. Renew it annually for ongoing scholarship or scheme applications.

File an RTPS appeal at rtpsappeal.bihar.gov.in citing your Application Reference Number and the delay. The Bihar Right to Public Service Act 2011 mandates service delivery within stipulated timeframes. You can also email the helpdesk at [email protected].

You can submit the application online from anywhere since serviceonline.bihar.gov.in is accessible across India. However, the certificate will be issued based on your permanent Bihar address and the issuing officer may verify details through the block or circle office at your Bihar address. Ensure your address details are correct in the application.

On the serviceonline.bihar.gov.in homepage, look for the option to verify by Submission ID. Enter your Praman Patra number to verify. Note that certificates issued before 24 April 2017 follow a separate verification process.

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