A Scheduled Tribe (ST) Certificate in Sikkim is an official document issued by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) or the Additional District Collector (ADC) at the District Administrative Centre (DAC) of the concerned district. It certifies that the holder belongs to one of the Scheduled Tribe communities notified for the State of Sikkim and enables them to claim reservation benefits in government employment, admissions to educational institutions, scholarships and various Central and State Government welfare schemes meant for Scheduled Tribe communities.
If you are a member of any of the four notified Scheduled Tribe communities in Sikkim, you can apply for this certificate through the competent district authority. This guide explains the notified ST communities, the recognised Bhutia sub-groups, eligibility conditions, required documents, application fee, and the complete online and offline application process.
Scheduled Tribe Communities Notified in Sikkim
The following four communities are recognised as Scheduled Tribes in Sikkim under the Constitution (Sikkim) Scheduled Tribes Order, 1978 (C.O. 111):
- Bhutia (including Chumbipa, Dopthapa, Dukpa, Kagatey, Sherpa, Tibetan, Tromopa and Yolmo)
- Lepcha
- Limboo
- Tamang
When the Constitution (Sikkim) Scheduled Tribes Order, 1978 was originally issued, only the Bhutia and Lepcha communities were included. Later, the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Orders (Amendment) Act, 2002 (Act 10 of 2003) added Limboo and Tamang as the third and fourth Scheduled Tribe entries for Sikkim.
The Bhutia entry also covers the following recognised sub-groups: Chumbipa, Dopthapa, Dukpa, Kagatey, Sherpa, Tibetan, Tromopa and Yolmo. Applicants belonging to any of these notified sub-groups are eligible to apply for an ST certificate under the Bhutia community, subject to verification by the competent authority.
Note: Members of the Limboo community are also commonly known as Subba in Sikkim. However, the Constitution (Sikkim) Scheduled Tribes Order uses the name Limboo as the official Scheduled Tribe entry.
What Is a Sikkim ST Certificate?
A Scheduled Tribe (ST) Certificate in Sikkim is an official caste certificate issued by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) or the Additional District Collector (ADC) at the District Administrative Centre (DAC) of the concerned district. It serves as legal proof that the holder belongs to a Scheduled Tribe community notified for the State of Sikkim under the Constitution (Sikkim) Scheduled Tribes Order, 1978 (C.O. 111), issued under Article 342 of the Constitution of India. Once issued, the certificate generally remains valid for a lifetime, although a fresh copy may be obtained whenever required by a government department or educational institution.
Unlike most states, where Scheduled Tribes are notified under the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950, Sikkim has a separate statutory notification known as the Constitution (Sikkim) Scheduled Tribes Order, 1978. Initially, the Order recognised only two Scheduled Tribe communities. The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Orders (Amendment) Act, 2002 (Act 10 of 2003) later added the Limboo and Tamang communities, increasing the total number of notified Scheduled Tribe communities in Sikkim to four.
Religion Does Not Affect ST Eligibility
Scheduled Tribe status in India is based on the community notified under the Constitution and not on religion. Therefore, a person belonging to a Scheduled Tribe community notified for Sikkim can obtain an ST certificate irrespective of the religion they follow. Whether you practise Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Bon or any other faith, your eligibility is determined by your notified tribal community and not by your religion.
This is different from the Scheduled Caste (SC) category, where eligibility is subject to specific constitutional provisions relating to religion. In Sikkim, members of all four notified Scheduled Tribe communities remain eligible for an ST certificate regardless of their religious beliefs.
Documents Required for a Sikkim ST Certificate
Before submitting your application, make sure all the required documents are ready. If you are applying online, upload clear scanned copies of each document. For offline applications, carry the original documents along with attested photocopies wherever required.
- Attested copy of the COI, SSC or ICC (of self or father): Submit an attested copy of your Certificate of Identification (COI), Sikkim Subject Certificate (SSC) or Identification Certificate of Citizenship (ICC). If you are applying using your father's document, an attested copy of your father's COI, SSC or ICC may also be submitted. These documents are used to establish your identity and lineage in Sikkim. A married woman must use her own or her father's COI, SSC or ICC and cannot rely on her husband's document for this purpose.
- Birth Certificate, Transfer Certificate or School Certificate: If your application is based on your father's COI, SSC or ICC, you must also submit a document showing your relationship with your father, such as your Birth Certificate, School Transfer Certificate or School Leaving Certificate carrying your father's name.
- Panchayat or Ward Councilor Recommendation: Obtain a recommendation letter from your Gram Panchayat if you live in a rural area or from your Ward Councilor if you reside in an urban area. This recommendation confirming your residence and community is a mandatory part of the application.
- State Bank of Sikkim payment receipt: Submit the original or attested bank receipt showing payment of the prescribed application fee of Rs. 50 at any branch of the State Bank of Sikkim.
Important: Applicants using the online portal should upload documents only in the prescribed file format and size specified on the application portal. Using special characters in file names or uploading oversized files may prevent successful submission.
Who Can Apply for an ST Certificate in Sikkim?
You are eligible to apply for a Scheduled Tribe (ST) Certificate in Sikkim if you meet the following conditions:
- You belong to one of the Scheduled Tribe communities notified under the Constitution (Sikkim) Scheduled Tribes Order, 1978.
- You are a resident of Sikkim.
- Your tribal status is acquired by birth through your parent belonging to the same notified Scheduled Tribe community.
- You can produce a valid Certificate of Identification (COI), Sikkim Subject Certificate (SSC) or Identification Certificate of Citizenship (ICC), either in your own name or your father's name, to establish your identity and family lineage.
Application Fee for Sikkim ST Certificate
The prescribed application fee for issuing an ST Certificate in Sikkim is Rs. 50. The amount must be deposited at any branch of the State Bank of Sikkim before submitting your application.
After making the payment, collect the bank receipt and keep it safely. A copy of this receipt must be attached with your ST certificate application, as it forms part of the mandatory supporting documents for both online and offline applications.
How to Apply for a Sikkim ST Certificate
You can apply for an ST Certificate either online through the official Sikkim SSO Portal or by visiting the District Administrative Centre (DAC) or Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) office in your district.
Method 1: Apply Online Through the Sikkim SSO Portal
The Government of Sikkim provides an online facility for ST Certificate applications through the Sikkim Single Sign-On (SSO) Portal. Before starting, keep all the required documents scanned and ready for upload.
- Open the Sikkim SSO Portal in your web browser.
- If you are a new user, click Create Account and complete the registration using your email address and other required details. Existing users can sign in with their registered credentials.
- After logging in, open your SSO dashboard and select the Scheduled Tribe (ST) Certificate service.
- Click New Application to open the online application form.
- Enter your personal details, notified ST community, address and family information exactly as recorded in your official documents.
- Upload your passport-size photograph, signature and scanned copies of all the required supporting documents, including your COI, SSC or ICC, relationship proof (where applicable), Panchayat or Ward Councilor recommendation and the State Bank of Sikkim fee receipt.
- Review all the information carefully before submitting the application. Incorrect details or unclear document uploads may delay processing.
- Submit the application and save the acknowledgement or application reference number generated by the portal for future reference.
- You can log in to the SSO dashboard at any time to check the status of your application. After approval, the issued ST Certificate can be downloaded from the portal, wherever the download facility is available.
Method 2: Apply Offline at the District Administrative Centre (DAC)
If you prefer to apply offline, you can visit the General Section of the District Administrative Centre (DAC) or the office of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) in your district.
- Deposit the prescribed application fee of Rs. 50 at any branch of the State Bank of Sikkim and collect the payment receipt.
- Obtain the required recommendation letter from your Gram Panchayat (for rural areas) or Ward Councilor (for urban areas).
- Collect the ST Certificate application form from the General Section of the DAC or the concerned SDM office.
- Fill in the application form carefully and attach all the required supporting documents along with the bank receipt.
- Submit the completed application at the designated counter and collect the acknowledgement receipt for future reference.
- The competent authority will verify your documents and, if everything is found to be in order, the ST Certificate will be issued.
Note: For assistance regarding offline applications, contact or visit the District Administrative Centre (DAC) of your respective district during working hours.
What Are the COI, SSC and ICC?
The Certificate of Identification (COI), Sikkim Subject Certificate (SSC) and Identification Certificate of Citizenship (ICC) are the three recognised legacy identity documents issued by the Government of Sikkim. These documents establish a person's identity and historical connection with the State of Sikkim and play an important role in determining eligibility for various certificates and government services.
For an ST certificate application, you must submit any one of these documents issued either in your own name or in your father's name, as applicable. If neither you nor your father possesses a COI, SSC or ICC, contact the General Section of the District Administrative Centre (DAC) of your district to know the alternative documents that may be accepted in your case.
Who Issues the Sikkim ST Certificate?
The Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) or the Additional District Collector (ADC) at the District Administrative Centre (DAC) of the concerned district is the competent authority for issuing an ST Certificate in Sikkim. After verifying the application and supporting documents, the authorised officer approves and issues the certificate.
If you apply online through the Sikkim SSO Portal, the application is processed by the same competent authority through the online system before the certificate is issued.
Where Can You Use a Sikkim ST Certificate?
- Reservation in Sikkim Government jobs under the Scheduled Tribe quota.
- Reservation in Central Government recruitment under the Scheduled Tribe category.
- Admission under the ST reservation quota in government colleges, Central Universities, IITs, NITs and other eligible educational institutions.
- Scholarships for Scheduled Tribe students, including schemes available through the National Scholarship Portal.
- National Fellowship, National Overseas Scholarship and other eligible schemes administered by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
- Fee concessions, hostel facilities and other educational benefits available to Scheduled Tribe students.
- Benefits under Central and State Government welfare schemes meant for Scheduled Tribe communities.
- Access to services where proof of Scheduled Tribe status is required, including applications linked to a Ration Card and other eligible government welfare programmes.
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