Tamil Nadu OBC Certificate: Apply Online, Fee & Documents

An Other Backward Classes (OBC) Certificate in Tamil Nadu is an official Community Certificate issued by the Revenue Department to eligible persons belonging to communities recognised under the applicable OBC category. The service is available through the Tamil Nadu e-Sevai Portal as REV-115 – Other Backward Classes (OBC) Certificate.

The certificate is required for claiming reservation and other benefits in eligible government recruitments, educational admissions, scholarships, and welfare schemes. Depending on the purpose of the application, applicants should also ensure that they satisfy the applicable eligibility conditions prescribed by the Tamil Nadu Government or the Government of India.

Backward Class Categories in Tamil Nadu

For reservation and Community Certificate purposes, the Tamil Nadu Government recognises different categories of socially and educationally backward communities. While the e-Sevai service is provided as an Other Backward Classes (OBC) Certificate (REV-115), the Community Certificate records the applicant's notified category and community as recognised by the Government.

• Backward Classes (BC): Communities included in the Tamil Nadu Backward Classes list and eligible for reservation and other benefits under the applicable State Government rules.
• Most Backward Classes (MBC): Communities included in the Most Backward Classes category as notified by the Tamil Nadu Government.
• Denotified Communities (DNC): Certain communities notified under the Denotified Communities category, which are administered along with the MBC category for various State Government welfare measures and reservation benefits.

Important: While submitting your application, select the correct category and ensure that your community name is entered exactly as it appears in the official Tamil Nadu Government notification. Any mismatch between the application and the notified community name may delay or affect the processing of your certificate.

Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) Requirement

The Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) requirement is primarily relevant for applications seeking reservation under the Central Government OBC category. Applicants claiming Central OBC reservation must satisfy the eligibility conditions prescribed by the Government of India, including the applicable income limit and other criteria notified from time to time.

For recruitment, admissions, scholarships, and welfare schemes conducted by the Tamil Nadu Government, the eligibility conditions are governed by the respective State Government rules and the specific notification issued for the concerned service or scheme. Therefore, applicants should always refer to the relevant recruitment or admission notification before submitting their application.

Important: If you require an OBC certificate for Central Government purposes, ensure that your community is included in the Central List of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and that you fulfil all the prescribed Non-Creamy Layer conditions applicable on the date of application.

Certificate Name, Application Form and Reference Number

In Tamil Nadu, eligible applicants can apply for an Other Backward Classes (OBC) Certificate through the official Tamil Nadu e-Sevai service REV-115 – Other Backward Classes (OBC) Certificate. The certificate is issued by the Revenue Department and serves as official proof that the applicant belongs to the eligible Other Backward Class category for the purposes permitted under the applicable rules.

After submitting the application successfully, the system generates a unique Application Reference Number (CAN). Keep this number safely, as it is required to track the application status, communicate with the concerned Revenue authorities, and access certificate-related services after processing.

The Tahsildar having jurisdiction over the applicant's place of residence is the competent authority to issue the OBC Certificate. Before issuing the certificate, the Revenue Department may verify the information and supporting documents submitted with the application and, wherever necessary, conduct a local enquiry.

How to Apply for a Tamil Nadu OBC Certificate

You can apply for an Other Backward Classes (OBC) Certificate through the official Tamil Nadu e-Sevai Portal, an authorised e-Sevai Centre, or by visiting the concerned Taluk Office. Before starting the application, keep all the required documents ready and ensure that your community details match the official records.

Method 1: Apply Online Through the Tamil Nadu e-Sevai Portal

1. Visit the official Tamil Nadu e-Sevai Portal at www.tnesevai.tn.gov.in and sign in using your registered account. If you are a new user, complete the citizen registration process first.
2. Open the Revenue Department services and choose REV-115 – Other Backward Classes (OBC) Certificate.
3. Enter your personal details, address, family information, and community particulars exactly as they appear in your supporting documents. Ensure that the community selected is the correct one recognised by the competent authority.
4. Upload clear scanned copies of all the prescribed documents, including identity proof, address proof, community proof, income-related documents, self-declaration, and any additional document required for verification.
5. Pay the prescribed application fee of Rs. 60 through the available online payment options.
6. Review all the information carefully before submitting the application. Once submitted successfully, an Application Reference Number (CAN) will be generated. Save this number carefully for future reference.
7. The Revenue Department will examine your application and may verify the submitted documents or conduct a local enquiry, wherever considered necessary, before the competent authority takes a final decision.

Method 2: Apply Through an Authorised e-Sevai Centre

If you do not wish to apply online yourself, you can complete the entire process through any authorised Tamil Nadu e-Sevai Centre.

1. Visit the nearest authorised e-Sevai Centre with the original documents and photocopies required for the OBC Certificate application.
2. Inform the operator that you wish to apply for REV-115 – Other Backward Classes (OBC) Certificate.
3. The operator will enter your details into the official e-Sevai system, scan the supporting documents, and complete the online application on your behalf.
4. Pay the prescribed government application fee of Rs. 60 along with the applicable e-Sevai service charge, if any.
5. Collect the acknowledgement receipt containing your Application Reference Number (CAN) and keep it safely for tracking your application.
6. After the application is approved, you may collect the certificate through the authorised e-Sevai Centre or use the online certificate services available through the official portal, wherever applicable.

Method 3: Apply Through the Taluk Office

Applicants who prefer submitting the application directly to the Revenue Department may also visit the Taluk Office having jurisdiction over their place of residence.

1. Obtain and complete Form REV-115 with accurate personal, family, and community details.
2. Attach self-attested copies of all the required supporting documents and submit the application at the designated counter.
3. Receive the acknowledgement issued by the Taluk Office and preserve it until the application is processed.
4. The Revenue Department will verify the application and supporting records. If required, a local enquiry may also be conducted before the certificate is approved.
5. Once the verification process is completed successfully, the competent authority will issue the OBC Certificate.

Important: Before submitting the application, make sure that your community name, personal details, and supporting documents are consistent with the official records. Incorrect information or incomplete documentation may delay the verification process or result in rejection of the application.

Documents Required for Tamil Nadu OBC Certificate

Keep the following documents ready before applying for an Other Backward Classes (OBC) Certificate (REV-115). Depending on your case, the Revenue Department may request additional supporting documents during verification.

• Recent Photograph: A recent passport-size colour photograph. Refer to the passport-size photo guidelines.tamil nadu
• Identity Proof: Aadhaar Card or any other government-issued identity document.
• Address Proof: Ration Card, electricity bill, voter ID, or any other valid document showing your current address.
• Community Proof: Existing Community Certificate of a parent or close family member, school records, transfer certificate, or any other government document supporting your community, wherever applicable.
• Income Proof: Income Certificate, salary slip, or any other document showing the family's income, wherever applicable.
• Income Tax Return (ITR): Income Tax Return, if applicable, as required under the official service guidelines.
• Self-Declaration: A duly signed self-declaration in the prescribed format, wherever required by the competent authority.
• Date of Birth Proof: Birth Certificate, SSLC (Class 10) certificate, or any other government-recognised document containing your date of birth.
• Additional Documents: Any other document sought by the Revenue Department during scrutiny or verification of the application.

Note: Carry the original documents while visiting the Taluk Office or an authorised e-Sevai Centre for verification. The competent authority may ask for additional records if further clarification is required before issuing the certificate.

Application Fee, Processing Time and Validity

• Application Fee: ₹60 as prescribed for the REV-115 service. Additional e-Sevai service charges may apply if you apply through an authorised centre.
• Processing Time: The application is processed after verification by the Revenue Department. The actual time may vary depending on document verification and any enquiry required.
• Validity: The OBC Certificate remains valid unless there is a change in the applicant's community status or unless a specific recruitment, admission, or scholarship notification requires a certificate issued within a prescribed period.

Benefits of a Tamil Nadu OBC Certificate

An Other Backward Classes (OBC) Certificate enables eligible applicants to claim reservation and other benefits under the applicable rules of the Tamil Nadu Government and, wherever eligible, the Government of India. The exact benefits depend on the recruitment, admission, scholarship, or welfare scheme for which the certificate is being used.

• Reservation in State Government Services: Eligible candidates can claim reservation in recruitment to Tamil Nadu Government departments, public sector organisations, and other state establishments in accordance with the applicable reservation policy.
• Reservation in Educational Institutions: Eligible applicants can avail reservation in admissions to government and government-aided colleges, universities, polytechnics, engineering, medical, law, and other professional institutions, subject to the prescribed admission rules.
• Central Government Benefits: Where the applicant's community is included in the Central List of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and all prescribed eligibility conditions are fulfilled, the certificate may be used for Central Government recruitment, educational institutions, and scholarship schemes.
• Scholarships: Eligible students can apply for Pre-Matric, Post-Matric, and other scholarship schemes notified through the National Scholarship Portal and by the Tamil Nadu Government.
• Welfare Schemes: Eligible beneficiaries may avail scholarships, hostel facilities, educational assistance, skill development programmes, and other welfare initiatives implemented by the Tamil Nadu Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare Department.
• Other Reservation Benefits: Fee concessions, age relaxation, examination fee exemptions, and other benefits may be available wherever specifically provided under the applicable recruitment or admission rules.

Note: The availability of reservation, scholarships, fee concessions, and other benefits depends on the eligibility conditions prescribed by the concerned department, recruiting authority, educational institution, or welfare scheme.