If you belong to a notified Scheduled Tribe (ST) community in Goa, obtaining an ST Caste Certificate is essential to claim reservation benefits in government jobs, educational institutions, scholarships, and various welfare schemes. The certificate is issued by the Revenue Department of the Government of Goa and serves as official proof that the applicant belongs to a Scheduled Tribe recognised for the State under the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950. At present, Goa has eight notified Scheduled Tribe communities which are Dhodia, Dubla (Halpati), Naikda (Talavia), Siddi (Nayaka), Varli, Kunbi, Gawda, and Velip.
In Goa, the Deputy Collector/Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO/SDM) is the competent authority responsible for issuing the ST Caste Certificate after verification of the applicant's community and supporting records. Applications can be submitted online through the official Goa Online Portal or offline at the office of the concerned Deputy Collector. During verification, applicants may be required to produce documentary evidence relating to their tribal community and ancestral records as prescribed by the Revenue Department. This guide explains the complete Goa ST Certificate application process, eligibility, required documents, fee, issuing authority, and other important details in simple language.
Scheduled Tribe Communities Notified in Goa
The Government of India has notified the following 8 Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities for the State of Goa under the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950:
- Dhodia
- Dubla (Halpati)
- Naikda (Talavia)
- Siddi (Nayaka)
- Varli
- Kunbi
- Gawda
- Velip
Only applicants belonging to any of the above notified communities are eligible to obtain an ST Caste Certificate in Goa, subject to verification by the competent Revenue Authority.
Note: The communities Kunbi, Gawda, and Velip were included in the Scheduled Tribe list for Goa through the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Act, 2003 (Act 10 of 2003). Applicants should select their community exactly as recorded in their supporting documents and official records while submitting the application.
Eligibility for ST Certificate in Goa
An applicant can apply for an ST Caste Certificate in Goa if the following conditions are fulfilled:
- The applicant is a citizen of India.
- The applicant belongs to one of the Scheduled Tribe communities notified for the State of Goa under the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950.
- The applicant is ordinarily residing in Goa.
- The applicant is able to produce the prescribed documentary evidence supporting the claimed Scheduled Tribe community, including records relating to the applicant's family and ancestral residence in Goa, wherever required during verification.
Note: During scrutiny, the Revenue Department may require documents showing that the applicant's family was residing in Goa prior to 19 February 1968, along with records establishing that the applicant's father or grandfather belonged to a notified Scheduled Tribe community, as prescribed for the service.
Documents Required for Goa ST Certificate
Before applying for a Goa ST Caste Certificate, keep the following documents ready. Unless otherwise specified, upload self-attested copies of the required documents along with your online application.
- Birth Certificate of the applicant (Self-attested).
- Birth Certificate of the applicant's father or any relative from the paternal side (Self-attested).
- School Leaving Certificate or Bonafide Certificate issued by the school (Self-attested).
- Documents establishing that the applicant's father or grandfather belongs to a Scheduled Tribe community notified by the Government (Self-attested).
- Documents showing that the applicant or the applicant's family was residing in Goa prior to 19 February 1968 (Self-attested).
- Self Declaration for SC/ST (New Application) in the prescribed format available on the Goa Online portal.
- Original Talathi's Report along with the report of the concerned Mamlatdar.
- Marriage Certificate, if the applicant is a married woman (Self-attested).
- Aadhaar Card or Voter ID Card, if available (Self-attested).
Important: Applicants revising an earlier ST Certificate issued with the word "Provisional" should submit the prescribed Self Declaration for SC/ST (Revision of Earlier Certificate). Separate application forms and self-declaration formats are also available for children of a single mother on the official Goa Online portal.
Note: During scrutiny, the Deputy Collector/Sub-Divisional Officer may ask for additional supporting documents if required to establish the applicant's Scheduled Tribe status.
What is a Samaj Certificate?
A Samaj Certificate is a certificate issued by a recognised tribal community association or Samaj confirming that the applicant belongs to the concerned Scheduled Tribe community. In certain cases, the Revenue Department may ask applicants to produce this certificate as supporting evidence during the verification of their Scheduled Tribe claim.
The Samaj Certificate does not replace the statutory verification carried out by the Deputy Collector/Sub-Divisional Officer. The competent Revenue Authority examines all prescribed documents, records, and verification reports before deciding whether to issue the ST Caste Certificate.
Note: Before applying, applicants should check with the concerned Deputy Collector's office or the official Goa Online portal to confirm whether a Samaj Certificate is required for their particular case.
How ST Certificate Verification Works in Goa
After an application for an ST Caste Certificate is submitted, the Revenue Department examines the documents and initiates the prescribed verification process. As part of this process, the application is forwarded to the concerned Talathi for local verification.
The Talathi verifies the applicant's residential details, supporting documents, and other information relevant to the Scheduled Tribe claim. After completing the enquiry, the Talathi submits a report to the concerned Mamlatdar. Based on the verification reports and the documents submitted by the applicant, the Deputy Collector/Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO/SDM) takes the final decision on issuing the ST Caste Certificate.
If any document is incomplete or additional clarification is required, the Revenue Department may ask the applicant to furnish further information before the certificate is approved. Once the verification is completed successfully, the ST Caste Certificate is issued and can be downloaded from the Goa Online portal or collected as per the selected mode of delivery.
How to Apply for Goa ST Certificate Online
The Government of Goa allows eligible applicants to apply for an ST Caste Certificate through the Goa Online Portal. Before starting the application, keep all the required documents scanned and ready for upload.
- Visit the Goa Online Portal. If you are a new user, complete the one-time registration. Existing users can sign in using their registered credentials.
- After logging in, click on Services, then select All Services followed by Revenue, and open the Caste Certificate service.
- Fill in the online application form by entering the applicant's personal details, address, Scheduled Tribe community, family information, and other particulars required in the application.
- Upload self-attested scanned copies of all the prescribed supporting documents. Ensure that every document is clear and readable before proceeding to the next step.
- Upload the prescribed Self Declaration for SC/ST in the applicable format, wherever required.
- Review all the information entered in the application. Verify that your personal details, community name, and uploaded documents are correct before final submission.
- Pay the applicable online convenience fee through the payment options available on the portal. After successful payment, the payment receipt will be available in your Goa Online inbox.
- Submit the application and note the Acknowledgement Number. This number is required to track the status of your application.
- The Revenue Department examines the application and supporting documents. If any document or clarification is required, the application may be returned online for compliance.
- After successful verification and approval by the competent authority, the ST Caste Certificate is issued and made available in your Goa Online inbox for download.
Processing Time: As per the Right of Citizens to Time-bound Delivery of Public Services Act, the prescribed processing time for issuing an ST Caste Certificate in Goa is 10 days, subject to successful verification and submission of all required documents.
How to Apply for a Goa ST Certificate Offline
Applicants who prefer offline submission can also apply through the office of the concerned Deputy Collector/Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO/SDM). Carry all the prescribed documents along with their self-attested photocopies while visiting the office.
- Visit the office of the concerned Deputy Collector/Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO/SDM) having jurisdiction over your place of residence.
- Obtain the Caste Certificate Application Form from the office or download it from the Goa Online Portal.
- Complete the application form carefully and attach all the prescribed self-attested supporting documents along with the required Self Declaration for SC/ST.
- Carry the original documents for verification whenever required by the Revenue Department.
- Submit the completed application to the designated receiving officer and collect the acknowledgement or receipt for future reference.
- After submission, the Revenue Department initiates the prescribed verification process through the concerned Talathi and Mamlatdar. If any additional document or clarification is required, the applicant may be contacted before the application is approved.
- Once the verification is completed successfully, the competent authority issues the ST Caste Certificate. Applicants can collect the certificate as instructed by the office or through the delivery mode selected during the application process.
Application Fee and Processing Time
There is no fee for applying for an ST caste certificate in Goa. The certificate is issued free of charge.
Under the Goa Right of Citizen to Time Bound Delivery of Public Services Act, 2013, the ST caste certificate is processed within 10 days. The application is sent to the Talathi within 3 days of receipt, the Talathi conducts field verification and submits the report to the Mamlatdar, and the Dy. Collector / SDM issues the certificate within 2 days of receiving the Mamlatdar's report.
Why is 19 February 1968 Important?
While applying for an ST Caste Certificate in Goa, applicants are required to submit documents showing that they or their family were residing in Goa prior to 19 February 1968, as prescribed in the official document checklist for the service. These records form part of the Revenue Department's verification process while examining the applicant's claim.
Documents relating to ancestral residence, along with records establishing the applicant's Scheduled Tribe community, help the competent Revenue Authority verify the application before issuing the certificate. Applicants should submit all supporting documents prescribed by the Revenue Department to avoid delays during verification.
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