Andhra Pradesh has a large and diverse tribal population concentrated primarily in the northern coastal districts and the Eastern Ghats hill tracts. The tribal areas of AP are officially designated as Agency Areas, a term specific to Andhra Pradesh that refers to the Scheduled Area under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution. The ST caste certificate process in AP uses the same Grama Sachivalayam system, MeeSeva portal, and apcaste.ap.gov.in that serves SC applicants, but tribal applicants in AP must pay close attention to district-specific restrictions that apply to several communities.
Scheduled Tribes Notified in Andhra Pradesh
The following communities are officially notified as Scheduled Tribes in Andhra Pradesh:
Andh, Sadhu Andh, Bagata, Bhil, Chenchu, Chenchwar, Gadabas (including Bodo Gadaba, Gutob Gadaba, Kallayi Gadaba, Parangi Gadaba, Kathera Gadaba, and Kapu Gadaba), Gond, Naikpod, Rajgond, Koitur, Goudu (in Agency areas of AP only), Hill Reddis, Jatapu, Kammara, Kattunayakan, Kolam, Kolawar, Konda Dhoras, Kubi, Konda Kapus, Konda Reddis, Kondhs (including Kodi, Kodhu, Desaya Kondhs, Dongria Kondhs, Kuttiya Kondhs, Tikiria Kondhs, Yenity Kondhs, and Kuvinga), Kotia (including Bentho Oriya, Bartika, Dulia, Holva, Sanrona, and Sidhopaiko), Koya (including Doli Koya, Gutta Koya, Kammara Koya, Musara Koya, Oddi Koya, Pattidi Koya, Rajah, Rasha Koya, Lingadhari Koya, Kottu Koya, Bhine Koya, and Raj Koya), Kulia, Malis (in East Godavari, West Godavari, and Visakhapatnam districts only), Manna Dhora, Mukha Dhora, Nooka Dhora, Nayaks (in Chittoor, Kadapa, Kurnool, Nellore, and Prakasam districts only), Pardhan, Porja, Bodo Porja, Reddis Dhoras, Savaras (including Kapu Savaras, Maliya Savaras, and Khutto Savaras), Sugalis, Lambadis, Banjara, Valmiki (in certain notified areas), Yenadis (including Chella Yenadi, Kappala Yenadi, Manchi Yenadi, and Reddi Yenadi), and Yerukulas (including Koracha, Dabba Yerukula, Kunchapuri Yerukula, and Uppu Yerukula).
Important: District-Specific ST Communities in AP
Several tribal communities in Andhra Pradesh are notified as ST only for specific districts. Applying from outside the notified area will result in rejection:
- Nayaks: Notified as ST only in Chittoor, Kadapa, Kurnool, Nellore, and Prakasam districts
- Malis: Notified as ST only in East Godavari, West Godavari, and Visakhapatnam districts
- Goudu: Notified as ST only in the Agency areas of Andhra Pradesh
Before applying, confirm your community is listed as ST in your specific district. A community notified as ST in Telangana may not automatically be notified in AP even if your family originally came from that region.
The Banjara Community: ST in AP but Not Elsewhere
One of the most searched questions about AP tribal certificates relates to the Banjara, Lambadi, and Sugali communities. In Andhra Pradesh, Sugalis, Lambadis, and Banjara are listed as Scheduled Tribes. This is different from states like Gujarat and Maharashtra where Banjara is listed as SC or OBC. If you belong to the Banjara, Lambadi, or Sugali community and are domiciled in AP, you are eligible for the ST caste certificate in AP. Do not use an SC or OBC certificate from another state for AP purposes if your community is listed as ST in AP.
Chenchu: AP's Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group
The Chenchu community (also listed as Chenchwar) is classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) in Andhra Pradesh. The Chenchu people are primarily concentrated in the Nallamala forest area, particularly around the Srisailam region in Nandyal and Kurnool districts. As a PVTG, the Chenchu community receives all standard ST benefits plus additional targeted development support. An ST certificate is the primary document to access both standard and PVTG-specific schemes.
Agency Areas in Andhra Pradesh
The term "Agency Areas" refers to the Scheduled Areas of Andhra Pradesh notified under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution. The Agency Areas in AP primarily cover the hill tracts of Alluri Sitharama Raju, Parvatipuram Manyam, and parts of other northern coastal districts. These areas have special protections for tribal land and self-governance under the Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA). An ST certificate is essential for tribal families in Agency Areas to claim land rights, forest rights, and government scheme benefits.
No Religion Restriction for ST Certificate
There is no religion restriction for the ST caste certificate in Andhra Pradesh or anywhere in India. A member of any notified tribal community can apply regardless of their religion, whether they follow tribal faith, Hinduism, Christianity, or any other religion.
Issuing Authority
The ST caste certificate in AP is issued by the Tahsildar at the Mandal Revenue Office (MRO) level. For tribal communities in Agency Areas, the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) also plays a role in tribal welfare administration, though the Tahsildar remains the primary issuing authority for certificates.
Documents Required
- Aadhaar card
- Proof of tribal community: old ST certificate of father or grandfather, school certificate mentioning tribal community, or any government document showing your tribe
- AP Ration Card (Smart Rice Card) for family and residence proof
- AP residence certificate
- Birth certificate or SSC marksheet
- Passport-size photograph
How to Apply: Four Methods
Method 1: Through Grama Sachivalayam or Ward Sachivalayam
- Visit the Grama Sachivalayam in your village or Ward Sachivalayam in your urban ward.
- Carry all original documents. The Digital Assistant at the Sachivalayam submits your ST certificate application through the official system.
- You receive an acknowledgement with your application number.
- The Tahsildar of your Mandal verifies and issues the certificate. Collect it at the Sachivalayam or download it online.
Method 2: Online Through MeeSeva Portal
- Visit meeseva.ap.gov.in and log in or register.
- Select ST Caste Certificate from the Revenue Department services.
- Fill the form with your tribe name, Mandal, district, and personal details. Enter your tribe name exactly as it appears in the AP ST notification. For district-specific communities, ensure you are applying from the correct district.
- Upload required documents and submit.
- Track your application and download the signed certificate once the Tahsildar issues it.
Method 3: Through AP Caste Certificate Portal
Apply at apcaste.ap.gov.in using the dedicated caste certificate portal. Fill the ST application form with your tribe name and district, upload documents, and submit. Track and download your certificate once issued.
Method 4: At MeeSeva Centre
Visit the nearest MeeSeva centre with all your original documents. The MeeSeva operator submits your application online, gives you an acknowledgement receipt, and you can collect or download the certificate once issued.
Benefits of ST Certificate in Andhra Pradesh
- Reservation in AP state government jobs under the ST quota
- 7.5% reservation in central government jobs and central educational institutions nationally
- Reserved seats in government colleges for engineering, medicine, and other professional courses in AP
- Pre-matric and post-matric tribal scholarships through AP ePass at apepass.ap.gov.in
- 5 years age relaxation in APPSC, AP Police, and central competitive examinations
- Forest Rights entitlements for tribal families under the Forest Rights Act 2006
- Special land rights protections in Agency Areas under PESA
- Access to tribal welfare schemes under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs
- Additional PVTG support for Chenchu community in Nallamala area
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