By shahrukh
7 min read
Bihar ST Certificate Apply
Bihar ST Certificate Apply

Bihar has a significant Scheduled Tribe population spread across its districts, particularly in the northern Champaran belt and the eastern districts bordering West Bengal. When Jharkhand was carved out of Bihar in November 2000, a large portion of the original Santhal Pargana tribal belt went with it. But Bihar still retains 33 tribal communities officially notified as Scheduled Tribes, and members of these communities living in Bihar can apply for the ST Jati Praman Patra through the state's RTPS system.

One thing that confuses many ST applicants in Bihar is that the caste certificate process goes through the same portal and the same Circle Officer as the SC certificate, using the same forms for SC and ST together. This guide explains everything specific to the ST certificate in Bihar so you know exactly what to expect.

Scheduled Tribes Notified for Bihar

The following communities are officially notified as Scheduled Tribes in Bihar under the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950:

Asur, Agaria, Baiga, Banjara, Bathudi, Bedia, Binjhia, Birhor, Birjia, Chero, Chik Baraik, Gond, Gorait, Ho, Karmali, Kharia (including Dhelki Kharia, Dudh Kharia, and Hill Kharia), Kharwar, Khond, Kisan, Nagesia, Kora, Mudi-Kora, Korwa, Lohara, Lohra, Mahli, Mal Paharia, Kumarbhag Paharia, Munda, Patar, Oraon, Dhangar (Oraon), Parhaiya, Santal, Sauria Paharia, Savar, Kawar, Kol, and Tharu.

Among these, the Tharu community is concentrated primarily in West Champaran and East Champaran districts of Bihar. The Santhal community has a presence in the eastern districts including Katihar, Purnia, and Araria. Communities like Oraon, Munda, and Ho are also found in parts of Bihar, though their larger populations moved to Jharkhand after the state's bifurcation in 2000.

If you are unsure whether your community is in Bihar's ST notification, contact the Circle Officer's office in your area before applying.

Important Rule: Your Tribe Must Be Notified for Bihar

This is the most common reason ST certificate applications get rejected in Bihar. Your tribal community must be notified as Scheduled Tribe specifically for Bihar in the Constitutional Order. A tribe that is ST in Jharkhand, West Bengal, or any other state is not automatically ST in Bihar. Communities like Santal, Oraon, and Munda are ST in both Bihar and Jharkhand, so there is no issue for them. But some communities are only notified for specific states.

Additionally, unlike many hill and forest-based states, Bihar does not have district-level restrictions on ST status for most communities. If your tribe is in the Bihar ST list, it generally applies across all Bihar districts, not just certain ones.

Certificate Details: What You Need to Know Upfront

  • Certificate name: Jati Praman Patra (Anusuchit Janjati)
  • Issuing authority: Circle Officer (Anchal Adhikari) at the circle level
  • Fee: Completely free. No charges for ST certificate in Bihar.
  • Validity: Lifetime. The certificate does not expire.
  • Normal processing: 10 working days at Circle Officer level
  • Tatkal processing: 2 working days at Circle Officer level
  • Forms required: Form-I (application), Form-III (self-affidavit specifically for SC/ST applicants), and Form-II (supporting attachment for SC/ST)
  • ST status rule: Based on your father's tribal community, not your husband's

Three Levels of ST Certificate in Bihar

Bihar issues the ST Jati Praman Patra at three administrative levels. Most applicants need only the Circle Officer level certificate, but the higher levels are available if specifically required:

  • Circle Officer level: The primary certificate for routine use. Valid for scholarships, college admissions, and most government applications. Issued in 10 working days (2 days under Tatkal).
  • Sub-Division Officer (SDO) level: Issued by the SDO using your Circle Officer certificate as the base document. Required for certain state government job applications where an SDO-level certificate is specified.
  • District Magistrate (DM) level: The highest level, issued by the DM based on the SDO certificate. Used where specifically required by central or state authorities.

How to Apply Online for ST Certificate in Bihar

The official portal is serviceonline.bihar.gov.in. This is the same portal used for SC certificates, income certificates, and residential certificates in Bihar. The steps below are from the official Bihar RTPS user guide:

  1. Visit serviceonline.bihar.gov.in on your computer or smartphone browser.
  2. If you are new, click Register Yourself and create a Login ID and Password with your email and mobile number.
  3. After logging in, go to the Left Menu, navigate to the relevant department section, and select the Jati Praman Patra (Anusuchit Janjati / ST) service.
  4. Click Apply for Service from the Left Menu.
  5. Fill the application form completely. Enter your tribal community name exactly as it appears in the Bihar ST notification. Any mismatch in spelling or community name is a common reason for rejection.
  6. Upload your photo using your device's webcam or by browsing a photo file.
  7. Enter your Aadhaar Card number when prompted. An OTP is sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number for verification. If your Aadhaar Card is not linked to a mobile, you can upload one of the 12 Election Commission approved identity documents instead.
  8. Attach Form-III (self-affidavit for SC/ST) and Form-II (the required attachment document for SC/ST applications). These forms are available to download from the serviceonline.bihar.gov.in portal.
  9. Review everything carefully and click Submit.
  10. Download your Acknowledgement (Pavti). Note the application number on it for tracking.
  11. Once the Circle Officer issues the digitally signed certificate, it will appear in your account Inbox on the portal. Download and print it from there.

The portal sends automatic SMS and email notifications at every stage. Ensure your mobile number is active and correctly entered in the application form.

How to Apply Through RTPS Counter (Offline)

Bihar has set up RTPS service counters at multiple levels, including at gram panchayat offices, block offices, and district collectorates. This offline route is useful for applicants in remote tribal areas who do not have personal internet access.

  1. Visit the RTPS counter at your nearest panchayat, block, or circle office.
  2. Carry your filled Form-I (application) and Form-III (SC/ST self-affidavit). Blank forms are available at the RTPS counter itself.
  3. Submit the forms to the Executive Assistant (Karyapalak Sahayak) at the counter.
  4. The Executive Assistant enters your application data into serviceonline.bihar.gov.in at the counter. Your photo is taken on-site using the counter webcam, or you can hand over a digital photo file.
  5. Your Aadhaar OTP is verified at the counter on your mobile.
  6. You receive an Acknowledgement slip with your application number and the expected certificate date.
  7. Field verification of your tribal identity and residence is conducted by a government employee assigned to your area.
  8. Return to collect the certificate after the prescribed time, or log in to serviceonline.bihar.gov.in to download it online.

Tatkal ST Certificate in 2 Working Days

Bihar's RTPS system offers Tatkal service for the ST Jati Praman Patra. Under Tatkal, the Circle Officer must issue the certificate within 2 working days. This is available at the Circle Officer level only. You can request Tatkal at the time of online application or at the RTPS counter. Ensure all your documents are ready and complete when opting for Tatkal, as the process moves very quickly.

If Your Certificate Is Delayed

If the Circle Officer does not issue your ST certificate within 10 working days (or 2 days under Tatkal), you have the legal right to appeal under the Bihar RTPS Act:

  • First appeal: File with the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO), who must respond within 15 working days
  • Review: File with the District Magistrate (DM), who must respond within 15 working days

You can file your appeal online at rtpsappeal.bihar.gov.in. Keep your application acknowledgement number ready when filing.

Benefits of ST Certificate in Bihar

  • Reservation in Bihar state government jobs under the ST quota
  • 7.5% reservation in central government jobs and central educational institutions nationally
  • Reserved seats in government colleges, universities, and professional courses in Bihar
  • Pre-matric and post-matric tribal scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal
  • 5 years age relaxation in state and central competitive examinations
  • Access to tribal welfare schemes including Eklavya Model Residential Schools for ST children
  • Rights under the Forest Rights Act 2006 for forest-dwelling tribal communities in Bihar
  • Priority in government housing and livelihood schemes for tribal families

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Tharu is notified as a Scheduled Tribe in Bihar. The Tharu community is primarily concentrated in West Champaran and East Champaran districts. If you belong to the Tharu community and reside in Bihar, you can apply for the ST Jati Praman Patra through serviceonline.bihar.gov.in or at the nearest RTPS counter.

Yes. Santal is notified as a Scheduled Tribe in Bihar. Although the larger Santhal Pargana region became part of Jharkhand in 2000, Santal communities living in Bihar's eastern districts such as Katihar, Purnia, and Araria are eligible for ST certificate in Bihar.

Only if your tribe is also specifically notified as ST in Bihar's Constitutional Order. Many tribes are notified in both Bihar and Jharkhand. However, if your tribe is listed only for Jharkhand and not for Bihar, you cannot get an ST certificate from Bihar even if you currently live in Bihar. In that case, you may need to obtain the certificate from Jharkhand based on your family's original state.

The process is largely the same. Both use serviceonline.bihar.gov.in, the same RTPS counters, the same Circle Officer as the issuing authority, the same forms (Form-I and Form-III, which covers both SC and ST), the same 10-day timeline, the same Tatkal 2-day option, and the same free service. The difference is only in which community you declare in the form and the category (Anusuchit Janjati instead of Anusuchit Jati).

Bihar does not have a separate mandatory Caste Scrutiny Committee requirement like Maharashtra for routine use of ST certificates. The certificate issued by the Circle Officer is generally accepted for scholarship and admission purposes. For certain central government job appointments, employers may conduct their own verification, but there is no separate state-level scrutiny committee step required in Bihar as a matter of standard procedure.

No. There is no income limit for the ST certificate in Bihar or anywhere in India. Any person whose tribe is in the Bihar ST notification is eligible to apply regardless of economic status.

Yes, if your tribe is notified as ST for Bihar in the Constitutional Order. Bihar ST certificates are valid for UPSC, central government recruitment, and central educational institutions like IITs, NITs, and AIIMS. There is no income or creamy layer restriction for ST anywhere in India.

The rejection order will state the reason. Common reasons include community name not matching the official Bihar ST notification, or inability to verify tribal identity through field visit. Appeal to the SDO online at rtpsappeal.bihar.gov.in. For tribal rights violations, file a complaint with the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes at ncst.nic.in.

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