An SC Certificate is the official document that certifies that a person belongs to a Scheduled Caste community notified for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It is issued by the competent Tehsildar under the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act, 2004. The certificate is required to claim reservation in government employment, educational institutions, scholarships, and other welfare benefits available to Scheduled Caste candidates in the Union Territory.
Applications can be submitted online through the official JanSugam portal (jansugam.jk.gov.in), the Government of Jammu and Kashmir's integrated citizen services platform. Those who are unable to apply online may also submit their application through the concerned Tehsil office or an authorised Common Service Centre (CSC/Kiosk).
Who Can Apply for a Jammu and Kashmir SC Certificate?
- The applicant must be a bonafide resident of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
- The applicant must belong to a Scheduled Caste community notified under the Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Castes Order, 1956, as amended from time to time. The Valmiki community was included through the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Act, 2023 (Act 4 of 2024).
- Under the constitutional provisions governing Scheduled Caste status, the applicant must profess the Hindu, Sikh, or Buddhist religion.
- The competent authority will verify the applicant's caste claim on the basis of supporting documents, family records, and other evidence submitted during the application process.
Scheduled Caste Communities Notified for Jammu and Kashmir
The following communities are recognised as Scheduled Castes for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir under the Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Castes Order, 1956, as amended from time to time. Where multiple names appear under a single entry, each recognised name or synonym forms part of the same notified Scheduled Caste community.
- Barwala
- Basith
- Batwal
- Chamar, Ramdasia, Chamar-Ravidas, Chamar-Rohidas
- Valmiki (for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir only), Chura, Bhangi, Balmiki, Mehtar
- Dhyar
- Doom, Mahasha, Dumna
- Gardi
- Jolaha
- Megh, Kabirpanthi
- Ratal
- Saryara
- Watal
Important: The Valmiki community was included in the Scheduled Caste list for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir through the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Act, 2023 (Act 4 of 2024). This inclusion applies only to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The Union Territory of Ladakh continues to have a separate Scheduled Caste notification.
Benefits of Jammu and Kashmir SC Certificate
- Reservation in government employment: Eligible SC candidates can claim reservation in direct recruitment to posts and services under the Jammu and Kashmir Government in accordance with the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act, 2004 and the applicable reservation rules.
- Reservation in educational institutions: The certificate enables eligible students to claim reserved seats in government colleges, universities, medical colleges, engineering colleges, polytechnics and other educational institutions wherever Scheduled Caste reservation is applicable.
- Age relaxation in recruitment: SC applicants may receive upper age relaxation in government recruitment examinations wherever such relaxation is provided under the applicable recruitment rules.
- Scholarship benefits: Eligible students can apply for Pre-Matric, Post-Matric and other scholarship schemes notified by the Central Government and the Jammu and Kashmir Government, including schemes available through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in).
- Educational assistance: Eligible students may receive fee concessions, financial assistance or other educational benefits under the rules of the concerned institution or government scheme.
- Benefits under Central Government reservation: A Scheduled Caste certificate issued by the competent authority in Jammu and Kashmir is accepted for Central Government recruitment, admissions and welfare programmes wherever the applicable rules recognise Scheduled Caste certificates issued by the Union Territory.
- Access to welfare schemes: The certificate may also be required to avail various welfare programmes, financial assistance schemes, livelihood initiatives, coaching programmes and other benefits introduced by the Social Welfare Department and other government agencies, subject to the eligibility conditions of each scheme.
Documents Required for Jammu and Kashmir SC Certificate
- Identity proof (any one): Aadhaar Card, Voter ID Card, Driving Licence, PAN Card, or Passport.
- J&K Domicile Certificate: A valid Jammu and Kashmir Domicile Certificate to establish bonafide residence in the Union Territory.
- Family Ration Card: Ration Card or any other document showing the applicant's family details and residential address, wherever required.
- Self-declaration/Affidavit: A duly signed affidavit declaring that the applicant belongs to the claimed Scheduled Caste community and that the information furnished in the application is true.
- Supporting caste proof: Existing Scheduled Caste certificate of the applicant's father, mother or another close blood relative, wherever available, to facilitate verification of the caste claim.
- Additional documents (if required): The Tehsildar may ask for any other supporting record or document considered necessary during verification of the application.
Application Fee and Processing Time
- Application fee: No government fee is payable for issuing a Scheduled Caste Certificate. However, Common Service Centres (CSC/Kiosks) may collect a nominal service charge for submitting the online application.
- Processing time: The JanSugam portal currently specifies a service delivery period of 30 days. Under Section 16 of the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act, 2004, the competent authority is required to decide a complete application within 15 working days. The actual time may vary if additional verification or supporting documents are required.
- Validity: A Scheduled Caste Certificate is issued on the basis of caste status and parentage and generally remains valid for life. Fresh issuance is not required unless a duplicate, corrected or updated certificate is needed. Individual recruiting agencies or educational institutions may prescribe separate document validity requirements for verification purposes.
- Competent authority: The certificate is ordinarily issued by the Tehsildar having jurisdiction over the applicant's place of residence. In areas where powers have been delegated under the applicable rules, the Naib Tehsildar may also issue the certificate.
How to Apply for a Jammu and Kashmir SC Certificate Online
The Jammu and Kashmir Government accepts online applications for Scheduled Caste Certificates through the official JanSugam portal (jansugam.jk.gov.in). If you have not used the portal before, you must first create a citizen account before submitting your application.
Step 1: Create Your JanSugam Account
- Open the official JanSugam portal.
- Select New User Registration from the homepage.
- Enter your basic details, including your name, mobile number, email address, district and other required information.
- Verify the OTP sent to your registered mobile number and complete the account registration process.
Step 2: Submit the SC Certificate Application
- Sign in to your JanSugam account using your registered credentials.
- Open the list of citizen services and search for Application for Issuance of Certificate for Being a Member of Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribe by Tehsildar. You may also access the service directly at jansugam.jk.gov.in/applyService.do?serviceId=18190011.
- Complete the online application by providing your personal details, caste information, religion, family particulars and permanent address exactly as supported by your documents.
- Upload the required supporting documents in the prescribed file format and size mentioned on the portal.
- Review every entry carefully before submitting the application.
- After successful submission, an Application Reference Number will be generated. Keep this number safely as it will be required for future correspondence and status tracking.
Step 3: Verification and Certificate Download
- The application will be forwarded to the competent revenue authority for scrutiny and verification. If additional information or documents are required, the applicant may be contacted during the verification process.
- After the Tehsildar approves the application, log in to your JanSugam account and download the digitally signed Scheduled Caste Certificate from your dashboard.
How to Apply Through a Common Service Centre (CSC/Kiosk)
Applicants who are unable to use the online portal themselves can submit the application through an authorised Common Service Centre (CSC/Kiosk).
- Visit the nearest authorised CSC/Kiosk with the original documents and photocopies required for the application.
- The CSC operator will enter your details, upload the supporting documents and submit the application through the JanSugam portal on your behalf.
- Pay the applicable service charge, if any, collected by the CSC for processing the online application.
- Before leaving the centre, obtain the acknowledgement or Application Reference Number and preserve it for tracking the application status.
How to Apply Offline at the Tehsil Office
If you prefer the offline route, you may submit your application directly before the competent revenue authority.
- Collect the Scheduled Caste Certificate application form from the concerned Tehsil office or download it from the official government portal, wherever available.
- Fill in the application form carefully and attach the required self-attested supporting documents.
- Submit the completed application to the office of the concerned Tehsildar having jurisdiction over your place of residence.
- The competent authority will examine the application, verify the supporting records and, wherever considered necessary, conduct further verification before taking a final decision on issuing the certificate.
How to Track Your Application Status
- Sign in to your account on the JanSugam portal.
- Open the My Applications section from your dashboard.
- Select your SC Certificate application or enter the Application Reference Number to view the latest status, remarks, and any action required from your side.
Official Portals and Contact Details
- JanSugam Portal: jansugam.jk.gov.in
- J&K e-Services: jk.gov.in/jkeservices
- Revenue Department: jkrevenue.nic.in
- Social Welfare Department (Jammu): jkdswdj.jk.gov.in
- Social Welfare Department (Kashmir): socialwelfarekashmir.jk.gov.in
- For application-specific assistance, contact the concerned Tehsil office where your application is being processed.
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