If you belong to an Other Backward Class (OBC) community and want to claim reservation in government jobs, educational institutions, or other eligible services, you will need an OBC certificate issued by the Revenue Department, Government of NCT of Delhi. The certificate is issued by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of the concerned area after verifying your eligibility under the prescribed rules.
Delhi provides two different types of OBC certificates depending on the purpose of use and your eligibility. One is the Delhi OBC Certificate, which is meant for reservations under the Government of NCT of Delhi, while the other is the OBC Certificate (Central) for recruitment and admissions under the Government of India. The certificate you can apply for depends mainly on your family's residence history in Delhi, the OBC list in which your community is notified, and the eligibility conditions prescribed by the Revenue Department. One of the most important factors considered during scrutiny is the 8 September 1993 cut-off date.
Two Types of OBC Certificates in Delhi
Delhi OBC Certificate
The Delhi OBC Certificate is meant for reservation benefits under the Government of NCT of Delhi, including Delhi Government jobs, educational institutions, and other services where reservation is available under the Delhi OBC list. To apply, your community must be included in the Delhi OBC list, your family should have been a permanent resident of Delhi on or before 8 September 1993, and the eligibility conditions prescribed by the Revenue Department must be satisfied.
OBC Certificate (Central)
The OBC Certificate (Central) is issued for recruitment and admissions under the Government of India. Your community must be included in the Central List of OBCs applicable to Delhi. Applicants whose families were permanent residents of Delhi on or before 8 September 1993 may apply through the Delhi Revenue Department, subject to the prescribed conditions. If your family shifted to Delhi after this cut-off date, your eligibility for a Central OBC certificate will generally be determined with reference to your state of origin and the applicable Government of India guidelines.
Before submitting your application, make sure you select the correct certificate type. Applying for the wrong category can delay the verification process or result in rejection of the application.
Eligibility for Delhi OBC Certificate
You can apply for a Delhi OBC Certificate only if you satisfy all of the following eligibility conditions prescribed by the Revenue Department:
- You are a citizen of India.
- Your community is included in the OBC list notified by the Government of NCT of Delhi.
- Your family was a permanent resident of Delhi on or before 8 September 1993.
- An OBC certificate has already been issued to a paternal blood relative in accordance with the prescribed guidelines.
- You belong to the Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) category as determined under the applicable Government of India guidelines.
- OBC status cannot be claimed solely on the basis of marriage.
Eligibility for OBC Certificate (Central)
If you are applying for an OBC Certificate (Central), make sure you meet the following eligibility conditions:
- You are a citizen of India.
- You are residing in Delhi at the time of application.
- Your community is included in the Central List of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) notified by the Government of India.
- If your family was a permanent resident of Delhi on or before 8 September 1993, you may apply for an OBC Certificate (Central) through the Delhi Revenue Department, subject to verification of the prescribed conditions.
- If your family shifted to Delhi after 8 September 1993, your eligibility for an OBC Certificate (Central) will generally be determined with reference to your state of origin and the applicable Government of India guidelines.
- You must belong to the Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) category and submit the prescribed Annexure-I (Creamy Layer Declaration) along with your application.
Common Documents Required (All Cases)
Keep the following documents ready before applying for an OBC certificate in Delhi. Depending on your eligibility category, the Revenue Department may ask for additional supporting documents during scrutiny.
Identity Proof of the Applicant (Any One)
- Aadhaar Card
- PAN Card
- Voter ID Card
- Passport
- Driving Licence
- Photo Ration Card
- Any other government-issued identity document
For applicants below 18 years of age, a letter issued by the school Principal on the school's letterhead is also accepted as identity proof. Children below 5 years of age may submit a Birth Certificate.
Identity Proof of Parent or Guardian (For Minor Applicants)
If the applicant is a minor, the identity proof of the parent or legal guardian must also be submitted. Any one of the identity documents listed above is acceptable.
Present Address Proof (Any One)
- Aadhaar Card
- Voter ID Card
- Driving Licence
- Passport
- Photo Ration Card
- Registered Rent Agreement
- Bank Passbook
- Electricity Bill
- Water Bill
- Telephone Bill (Landline/Postpaid)
- Gas Bill
- Any other government-issued address proof
Permanent Address Proof
Any one of the documents accepted for present address proof can also be submitted as permanent address proof.
Passport-size Photograph
Submit a recent passport-size colour photograph measuring 5 cm × 4.5 cm (or 2 × 1.75 inches). The photograph should have a full front-facing view with open eyes, a plain white or off-white background, no shadows, no sunglasses or headgear (unless worn for religious reasons), and a natural expression.
Self-Declaration and Annexure-I
A signed self-declaration is mandatory for every application. Applicants must also submit the prescribed Annexure-I (Non-Creamy Layer Declaration) confirming that they do not belong to the Creamy Layer category. If the applicant is a minor, the declaration should be signed by a parent or another major family member.
Four Cases and Their Specific Documents
The Revenue Department examines every OBC application based on the applicant's family residence in Delhi, the availability of an existing OBC certificate in the family, and the applicable OBC list. Identify the category that matches your circumstances and keep the relevant supporting documents ready.
Case I: Family Residing in Delhi Before 8 September 1993 with an Existing OBC Certificate
If your family was permanently residing in Delhi on or before 8 September 1993 and an OBC certificate has already been issued to a paternal blood relative, you may apply for a Delhi OBC Certificate, subject to verification by the Revenue Department.
Documents required:
- Completed application form.
- Signed Self-Declaration and Non-Creamy Layer declaration in the prescribed format.
- Copy of the OBC certificate issued to the paternal blood relative.
- Proof establishing your relationship with the certificate holder.
- One identity proof and one present address proof.
- Identity proof of the parent or legal guardian, if the applicant is a minor.
Case II: Family Shifted to Delhi After 8 September 1993
If your family moved to Delhi after 8 September 1993 and your father already holds an OBC certificate issued by the competent authority of your state of origin, your application will be processed in accordance with the applicable guidelines for the concerned state and the Government of India.
Documents required:
- Completed application form.
- Signed Self-Declaration and Non-Creamy Layer declaration.
- Copy of the father's OBC certificate.
- One identity proof and one present address proof.
- Identity proof of the parent or legal guardian, if the applicant is a minor.
Case III: Family Residing in Delhi Before 8 September 1993 but No OBC Certificate Issued Earlier
If your family has been residing in Delhi since before 8 September 1993 but no paternal blood relative has ever obtained an OBC certificate, the Revenue Department will determine your eligibility after examining the prescribed documents and conducting verification wherever required.
Documents required:
- Completed application form.
- Signed Self-Declaration and Non-Creamy Layer declaration.
- Proof establishing the family's residence in Delhi before 8 September 1993.
- One identity proof and one present address proof.
- Identity proof of the parent or legal guardian, if the applicant is a minor.
Case IV: Applicant Already Holds an OBC Certificate
If you already possess an OBC certificate issued by the competent authority, either from Delhi or another state, you may apply for the appropriate OBC certificate, subject to fulfilment of the prescribed eligibility conditions.
Documents required:
- Completed application form.
- Signed Self-Declaration and Non-Creamy Layer declaration.
- Copy of the applicant's existing OBC certificate.
- One identity proof and one present address proof.
How to Apply for Delhi OBC Certificate Online
You can submit your application online through the official Delhi e-District Portal. Before starting the application, ensure that you have all the required documents, including the prescribed self-declaration and Annexure-I, ready for upload.
- Open the Delhi e-District Portal and sign in using your registered account. New users must complete the registration process first.
- Navigate to the Revenue Department services and select OBC Certificate.
- Enter your personal details, OBC community information, family residence details, and other particulars required in the application form.
- Upload the supporting documents applicable to your case, along with a recent passport-size photograph.
- Upload the signed Self-Declaration and Annexure-I (Non-Creamy Layer Declaration) in the prescribed format.
- Verify all the information entered in the application form and submit it online.
- After successful submission, save the acknowledgement or reference number for future status tracking.
Important: After completing the online application, the original signed Self-Declaration must be submitted to the concerned SDM, Tehsildar, or Citizen Service Centre (CSC) either in person or through Speed Post/Registered Post, mentioning your application or acknowledgement number. The Revenue Department may also ask you to produce original documents for verification. Where required, the applicant or an eligible family member must appear for photograph verification or comply with the prescribed photograph guidelines.
How to Apply Offline at SDM Office or CSC
If you prefer to submit your application offline, you can visit the concerned Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) office or a Citizen Service Centre (CSC). Before visiting, make sure you have completed the application form and arranged all the documents required for your applicable case.
- Visit the SDM office having jurisdiction over your area or the nearest Citizen Service Centre (CSC) during the prescribed working hours. Applications are generally accepted between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM on working days.
- Obtain the OBC certificate application form from the office or download it in advance from the official Revenue Department website.
- Fill in the application form carefully and attach self-attested copies of all the required documents. Carry the original documents for verification, if asked by the verifying officer.
- Submit the completed application along with the signed Self-Declaration and Annexure-I (Non-Creamy Layer Declaration).
- If you apply through a CSC, your photograph will be captured at the centre. The applicant or an eligible family member must be present wherever required.
- After verification, you can collect the certificate if instructed by the concerned authority or track the application status online using the reference number.
To identify the SDM office responsible for your locality, use the Find Your Locality facility available on the official Revenue Department website at revenue.delhi.gov.in.
Application Fee and Processing Time
The Revenue Department, Government of NCT of Delhi does not charge any application or processing fee for issuing an OBC certificate. Whether you apply online or offline, the certificate is issued completely free of cost.
Under the prescribed Service Level Agreement (SLA), applications are normally processed within 14 days from the date of submission, subject to successful verification of the documents and eligibility conditions.
How to Check Application Status
After submitting your application, you can check its progress through the Delhi e-District Portal. Enter your application or acknowledgement number to view the latest status, including verification, approval, and certificate issuance.
Important Points to Remember
- Every applicant must submit the prescribed Self-Declaration along with Annexure-I (Non-Creamy Layer Declaration). Applications without these documents are not processed.
- Even if you apply online, the original signed Self-Declaration must be submitted to the concerned SDM, Tehsildar, or Citizen Service Centre (CSC) in the prescribed manner.
- OBC status cannot be claimed solely on the basis of marriage.
- If your family shifted to Delhi after 8 September 1993, your eligibility will be determined according to the applicable guidelines of the Revenue Department and the Government of India. The appropriate OBC certificate depends on your place of origin and the applicable OBC list.
- For minor applicants, the application should be submitted by a parent or legal guardian. The identity proof should be in the minor's name, while the address proof should belong to the parent or guardian.
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