Kerala has a critical distinction that most people from other states miss when looking for a caste-related certificate: the state issues two separate documents - a Caste Certificate and a Community Certificate. These are not the same. The Caste Certificate is specifically for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities. The Community Certificate is for OBC and other backward communities. If you belong to an SC community and apply for a Community Certificate by mistake, you will not get the SC-specific document you need, and it will not serve the purposes of SC reservation. This guide covers the SC Caste Certificate in Kerala specifically.
Scheduled Castes Notified in Kerala
Kerala has 55 castes officially notified as Scheduled Castes. There is no income limit for the SC caste certificate. Any person whose caste is in the Kerala SC notification is eligible regardless of economic status.
Kerala's Unique Akshaya Centre Network
Kerala's government service delivery channel is called the Akshaya Centre, which is the state's equivalent of the national Common Service Centre (CSC) network. Akshaya was launched as a pilot in Malappuram district and officially inaugurated by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam on November 18, 2002. It was one of the first citizen service centre networks in India. Today, Akshaya centres are present across all 14 districts of Kerala and provide e-District services including the SC Caste Certificate.
If you prefer not to apply online yourself, visiting an Akshaya centre is the most accessible offline route in Kerala. The Akshaya portal is at akshaya.kerala.gov.in. For helpdesk support: Toll Free 155300 (BSNL), 0471-2335523 (Others), or 0471-2525443.
Issuing Authority
The SC Caste Certificate in Kerala is issued by the Tahsildar or Village Officer of your Taluk. The Village Officer (an administrative officer at the village/ward level in Kerala) plays the role of initial verification before the Tahsildar approves and signs the certificate.
Documents Required
- Aadhaar Card
- Proof of SC community: old SC Caste Certificate of father or grandfather, school certificate showing SC community, or any government record showing your caste
- Kerala Ration card
- Residence proof (electricity bill, water bill, or other utility bill)
- Birth certificate or SSLC marksheet
- Passport-Size photograph
How to Apply: Three Methods
Method 1: Online Through e-District Kerala Portal
The e-District portal at edistrict.kerala.gov.in is Kerala's primary online government services portal, implemented and managed by the Kerala State IT Mission (KSITM).
- Visit edistrict.kerala.gov.in and create an account by clicking "Create Account." Registration is Aadhaar-linked, so only one account can be created per person.
- After logging in, select the SC Caste Certificate service. Make sure you are selecting "Caste Certificate" and not "Community Certificate," which is a different service for OBC communities.
- Fill the application form with your caste name, Taluk, district, and personal details.
- Upload the required documents.
- Pay the applicable fee through internet banking, debit card, or credit card. The system confirms payment instantly.
- Submit the application. You will receive an SMS notification on your registered mobile number at each stage of processing.
- Track your application status using the "Track Application" feature on the portal home page.
- Once the Tahsildar or Village Officer issues the certificate, it is available in your account for download. You can also verify certificates using the QR code verification feature at edistrict.kerala.gov.in.
Method 2: Through Akshaya Centre
Visit the nearest Akshaya centre in your district. Akshaya centres serve as Kerala's government-authorised digital service points. Carry all original documents. The Akshaya operator submits your application through the e-District portal, collects the fee and a facilitation charge, and gives you an acknowledgement with your application number. To find the nearest Akshaya centre by district, visit akshaya.kerala.gov.in and use the "Locate Your Service" option.
Method 3: At the Taluk Office
Visit the Tahsildar's office at your Taluk headquarters. Submit the application with your documents. The Village Officer may be assigned to verify your details before the Tahsildar issues the certificate.
Certificate Verification with QR Code
All certificates issued through the e-District Kerala portal contain a QR code. Anyone can verify the authenticity of your SC Caste Certificate by scanning this QR code or entering your Application Reference Number at the certificate verification page on edistrict.kerala.gov.in. This eliminates the need for physical stamps or manual verification in most situations. The certificate is also available on DigiLocker once issued.
E-Grantz Scholarships for SC Students in Kerala
SC students in Kerala can access scholarships through the E-Grantz system, which is Kerala's state scholarship portal for SC, ST, OBC, and backward class students. E-Grantz is listed as an official service available through Akshaya centres and the online portal. After obtaining your SC Caste Certificate, apply for pre-matric and post-matric scholarships through E-Grantz. National Scholarship applications are also available through the Akshaya network and the National Scholarship Portal.
Benefits of SC Caste Certificate in Kerala
- Reservation in Kerala state government jobs under the SC quota
- 15% reservation in central government jobs and central educational institutions nationally
- Reserved seats in government medical, engineering, and other professional colleges in Kerala
- E-Grantz scholarships for SC students studying in government and aided institutions in Kerala
- Pre-matric and post-matric scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal
- 5 years age relaxation in KPSC, Kerala Police, and central competitive examinations
- Access to SC welfare schemes under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
- Priority in government housing and welfare schemes for SC families in Kerala
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