In Tamil Nadu, the official document issued to certify a person's social category is known as the Community Certificate. Unlike many other states that commonly refer to it as a caste certificate, Tamil Nadu uses a single Community Certificate system for applicants belonging to recognised categories such as Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Backward Classes (BC), Most Backward Classes/Denotified Communities (MBC/DNC), and other eligible communities.
For applicants belonging to a Scheduled Caste, the Community Certificate serves as the official proof required to claim reservation and other benefits in government recruitment, educational admissions, scholarships, and welfare schemes. This guide explains the complete application process, eligibility, required documents, and the special Arunthathiyar reservation, which is a distinctive feature of Tamil Nadu's reservation policy.
Scheduled Castes Notified in Tamil Nadu
The Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, as amended from time to time, notifies 76 Scheduled Caste communities for the State of Tamil Nadu. Your community must be included in this official list to obtain an SC Community Certificate.
Some of the major Scheduled Caste communities notified for Tamil Nadu include:
- Adi Dravida
- Arunthathiyar
- Chakkiliyan (including recognised synonyms and sub-groups such as Mochi and Madari, wherever applicable)
- Devendrakula Vellalar (collective name recognised under the 2021 amendment for certain Scheduled Caste communities)
- Kakkalan
- Kudumban
- Madiga
- Mannan
- Pallar
- Pagadai
- Pannadi
- Paraiyar
- Valluvan
- and other communities included in the official Scheduled Castes list.
Important: Eligibility for an SC Community Certificate depends on whether your community is included in the official Scheduled Castes list applicable to Tamil Nadu. If there is any doubt regarding the name of your community or its recognised synonym, verify it with the competent Revenue Authority before submitting your application.
Special Reservation for Arunthathiyar Communities in Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu has a special internal reservation for certain Scheduled Caste communities covered under the Arunthathiyar Special Reservation. Under the state's reservation policy, a portion of the Scheduled Caste reservation is earmarked for the eligible Arunthathiyar communities in admissions to educational institutions and recruitment to State Government services, in accordance with the applicable laws and government orders.
If you belong to one of the communities covered under this special reservation, your Community Certificate should correctly mention your notified Scheduled Caste community. The details recorded in the certificate are used by the concerned recruiting authority or educational institution to determine eligibility for the applicable reservation benefits under the Tamil Nadu Government's policy.
Important: The Arunthathiyar Special Reservation is a Tamil Nadu State Government reservation policy. For recruitment, admissions, or schemes conducted by the Central Government, the applicable Central reservation rules are followed.
SC Community Certificate Application Form (REV-101)
The prescribed application form for obtaining a SC Community Certificate in Tamil Nadu is Form REV-101. This form is used for Community Certificate applications processed by the Revenue Department through the official Tamil Nadu e-Sevai system. Applicants visiting a Taluk Office or an authorised e-Sevai Centre can obtain assistance in filling and submitting the form.
After the application is submitted successfully, the system generates a unique CAN (Application Reference Number). Keep this number safely, as it is required to track your application, communicate with the concerned Revenue authorities, and access certificate-related services after processing.
Issuing Authority for the SC Community Certificate
In Tamil Nadu, the Tahsildar having jurisdiction over the applicant's place of residence is the competent authority to issue a Community Certificate. Applications submitted through the Tamil Nadu e-Sevai Portal, an authorised e-Sevai Centre, or the Taluk Office are processed by the Revenue Department before the certificate is issued.
During the verification process, the information and supporting documents submitted by the applicant may be examined by the concerned Revenue officials. Wherever considered necessary, a local enquiry may also be conducted to verify the applicant's community and other relevant particulars before the Tahsildar takes a decision.
If an applicant is aggrieved by the decision or requires further administrative review, the matter may be taken up with the appropriate higher Revenue authority in accordance with the applicable rules.
Documents Required for a Tamil Nadu SC Community Certificate
Keep the following documents ready before submitting your application. Depending on your case, the competent Revenue Authority may ask for additional documents during the verification process.
- Identity Proof: Aadhaar Card or any other government-issued identity document.
- Proof of Scheduled Caste community: Existing Community Certificate of a parent or close blood relative, school records, transfer certificate, revenue records, or any other official document supporting your community, wherever applicable.
- Address Proof: Ration Card, electricity bill, voter ID, or any other valid document showing your current address.
- Date of Birth Proof: Birth Certificate, SSLC (Class 10) certificate, or any other government-recognised document containing your date of birth.
- Passport-size Photograph: A recent colour photograph. Refer to the passport-size photo guidelines for the recommended specifications.
- Additional Documents (if required): Affidavit, self-declaration, genealogy details, or any other document requested by the competent Revenue Authority during verification.
Note: Carry the original documents for verification whenever you visit the Taluk Office or an authorised e-Sevai Centre. Self-attested copies may also be required along with the application.
How to Apply for a Tamil Nadu SC Community Certificate
You can submit an application for an SC Community Certificate through the official Tamil Nadu e-Sevai Portal, an authorised e-Sevai Centre, or by visiting the Taluk Office. Before applying, ensure that your Community Certificate application (Form REV-101) is complete and all supporting documents are ready for upload or submission.
Method 1: Apply Online Through the Tamil Nadu e-Sevai Portal
- Open the official Tamil Nadu e-Sevai Portal at www.tnesevai.tn.gov.in.
- Sign in using your existing account or complete the citizen registration process if you are applying for the first time.
- Navigate to the Revenue Department services and select Community Certificate.
- Complete Form REV-101 by entering your personal information, address, and Scheduled Caste community details exactly as recorded in your supporting documents. Applicants belonging to communities covered under the Arunthathiyar Special Reservation should ensure that their notified community name is entered correctly.
- Upload scanned copies of all the required documents in the prescribed format.
- Review the application carefully and submit it online. After successful submission, an application reference number (CAN) will be generated. Save this number for future reference.
- The application will be processed by the concerned Revenue authorities. Wherever required, the documents and community particulars may be verified before the competent authority takes a decision.
- After approval, you can use your application reference number to access certificate-related services available through the official portal.
Method 2: Apply Through an Authorised e-Sevai Centre
If you prefer offline assistance, you can visit any authorised Tamil Nadu e-Sevai Centre. The centre operator will submit your Community Certificate application electronically through the official government system.
- Carry your original documents along with photocopies to the nearest authorised e-Sevai Centre.
- Request the operator to submit an application for an SC Community Certificate.
- Provide the necessary personal and community details and hand over the supporting documents for scanning and online submission.
- Pay the prescribed government fee and the applicable e-Sevai service charge, if any.
- Collect the acknowledgement receipt containing your application reference number (CAN).
- After the application is processed, you may collect the certificate from the e-Sevai Centre or access the available online services using your application reference number, wherever applicable.
Method 3: Apply Through the Taluk Office
Applicants who wish to submit their application directly to the Revenue Department may also visit the Taluk Office having jurisdiction over their place of residence.
- Obtain Form REV-101 from the Taluk Office, if required, and fill in the application with accurate personal and community details.
- Attach self-attested copies of the required supporting documents and submit the completed application at the designated counter.
- Keep the acknowledgement safely for future reference.
- The Revenue Department will examine the application and may conduct document verification or a local enquiry, wherever considered necessary.
- Once the verification process is completed successfully, the competent authority will issue the Community Certificate.
Important: Enter your Scheduled Caste community name exactly as it appears in the official Tamil Nadu Scheduled Castes list. Incorrect community details or incomplete supporting documents may delay the verification process.
How to Track Your SC Community Certificate Application
After submitting your application, keep your application reference number (CAN) safely. This reference number is required to check the progress of your application and to communicate with the concerned Revenue authorities, if necessary.
- Visit the official Tamil Nadu e-Sevai Portal or use the certificate-related services available through the portal.
- Enter your application reference number (CAN) wherever prompted to view the latest status of your application.
- If your application was submitted through an authorised e-Sevai Centre, you can also enquire about its status by producing the acknowledgement receipt issued at the time of submission.
- After the Community Certificate is issued by the competent authority, you may access the available online certificate services or collect the certificate from the authorised e-Sevai Centre, wherever applicable.
Tip: Keep the acknowledgement receipt and application reference number until your Community Certificate has been issued successfully.
Application Fee, Processing Time and Validity
- Application Fee: Rs. 60 is the Application Fee.
- Processing Time: Applications are processed after document verification and any enquiry considered necessary by the Revenue Department. The time required may vary depending on the verification process.
- Validity: An SC Community Certificate is generally permanent because it is issued on the basis of the applicant's community status. However, applicants should always follow the certificate format and validity requirements specified in the relevant recruitment, admission, or scholarship notification.
How to Verify a Tamil Nadu SC Community Certificate
- Visit the official Tamil Nadu e-District certificate verification portal at tnedistrict.tn.gov.in.
- Select the Community Certificate verification service.
- Enter the required certificate details.
- Submit the information to verify whether the certificate has been issued through the official Revenue Department.
Benefits of an SC Community Certificate in Tamil Nadu
An SC Community Certificate enables eligible applicants to claim reservation and other benefits available under the applicable rules of the Tamil Nadu Government and the Government of India. The actual benefits depend on the eligibility conditions prescribed for the respective recruitment, admission, scholarship, or welfare scheme.
- Reservation in recruitment to Tamil Nadu Government departments, public services, and other state establishments wherever Scheduled Caste reservation is applicable.
- Eligibility for the Arunthathiyar Special Reservation, wherever applicable, in accordance with the Tamil Nadu Government's reservation policy.
- Reservation in admissions to government and government-aided educational institutions, including engineering, medical, law, arts, science, polytechnic, and other professional courses, as per the applicable admission rules.
- Eligibility to apply for Pre-Matric and Post-Matric scholarship schemes through the National Scholarship Portal and other scholarship programmes notified by the Central or Tamil Nadu Government.
- Fee concessions, age relaxation, examination fee exemptions, and other recruitment-related benefits wherever provided under the applicable government rules.
- Access to welfare programmes implemented by the Tamil Nadu Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department for eligible Scheduled Caste beneficiaries.
- Eligibility to claim reservation and other benefits in Central Government recruitment, educational institutions, and scholarship schemes wherever an SC Community Certificate issued by the competent authority is accepted.
Note: The availability of reservation, scholarships, fee concessions, age relaxation, and other benefits depends on the eligibility conditions and rules prescribed by the concerned department, recruiting authority, educational institution, or welfare scheme.
Helpline and Contact Details
- Official Portal: Tamil Nadu e-Sevai Portal
- Certificate Verification: Tamil Nadu e-District Portal
- Toll-Free Number: 1800 425 6000
- Email: [email protected]
- District Assistance: Contact the Tahsildar or the concerned Taluk Office having jurisdiction over your place of residence.
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