Ladakh Scheduled Tribe Certificate: Apply Online, Tribal List & Check Eligibility

ST Communities Notified for Ladakh

The Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Tribes Order, 1989, as amended in 2024, recognises the following 12 communities as Scheduled Tribes for the Union Territory of Ladakh:

• Bakarwal
• Balti
• Beda
• Bot, Boto
• Brokpa, Drokpa, Dard, Shin
• Changpa
• Gaddi
• Garra
• Gujjar
• Mon
• Purigpa
• Sippi

It is important to distinguish between the ST lists for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the Union Territory of Ladakh. The 2024 Amendment Act added four communities—Paddari Tribe, Pahari Ethnic Group, Koli and Gadda Brahmin—to the ST list for Jammu and Kashmir. These additions do not apply to Ladakh.

Therefore, the Ladakh ST list continues to contain the same 12 communities. Applicants belonging to any of the four communities added for Jammu and Kashmir should check the applicable provisions for that Union Territory rather than assume that the same additions apply to Ladakh.

Major Scheduled Tribe Communities of Ladakh

Ladakh has several distinct tribal communities, each with its own cultural background, traditional occupations and geographical distribution. Some communities are mainly concentrated in Leh, while others are found predominantly in Kargil.

The Balti community is one of the major tribal communities in Kargil district. Its members are predominantly Muslim and have traditionally practised settled agriculture. The Purigpa community is also mainly found in Kargil and shares several cultural similarities with the Balti community.

The Brokpa community, also known by the names Drokpa, Dard and Shin in the notified ST list, lives in selected villages of Leh district. The Changpa are nomadic and semi-nomadic pastoralists who inhabit the high-altitude Changthang plateau. They are particularly known for rearing Changra or Pashmina goats, whose fine wool is used to produce Pashmina shawls.

The Gujjar and Bakarwal communities are traditionally associated with pastoral and nomadic livelihoods. The Mon community has a traditional association with music and crafts, while the Beda community is associated with performing arts. Bot and Boto are communities found in Leh district. Gaddi, Garra and Sippi are also among the communities included in Ladakh's notified ST list.

Eligibility for an ST Certificate in Ladakh

Not every resident of Ladakh automatically qualifies for an ST Certificate. The applicant must establish membership in one of the communities officially notified as Scheduled Tribes for the Union Territory.

The following conditions apply to applicants seeking an ST Certificate in Ladakh:

• The applicant must be a citizen of India.
• The applicant must belong to one of the 12 Scheduled Tribe communities notified for the Union Territory of Ladakh.
• The applicant must be an ordinary resident of Ladakh.
• The applicant must hold a valid Domicile Certificate issued by the competent authority in Ladakh.
• The applicant's parent or ancestor must belong to one of the notified ST communities.
• The applicant must provide documentary evidence supporting the claimed tribal identity.

There is no religion-based restriction for Scheduled Tribe status. Members of the notified communities can qualify regardless of their religion. For example, the predominantly Muslim Balti and Purigpa communities in Kargil have the same recognised ST status as the Buddhist tribal communities of Leh district.

Documents Required for an ST Certificate in Ladakh

Applicants must provide documents that establish their identity, residence and membership in the claimed Scheduled Tribe community. The following documents are listed for the application:

• Recent passport-size photograph of the applicant
• Application form in the prescribed format under the applicable Reservation Rules
• Affidavit supporting the applicant's claimed tribal identity
• Domicile Certificate issued by the competent authority in Ladakh
• Attested copy of the Ration Card showing family details
• Certified copy of the relevant Voter List entry
• Extract of Misal-i-Haqiyat, Jamabandi or Shajra Nasab, where applicable
• ST Certificate of the applicant's parents or close blood relatives, if available
• Aadhaar Card of the applicant
• Any additional document required by the issuing Tehsildar to verify community membership

Keep the original documents ready for verification when submitting the application or collecting the certificate. The issuing authority may examine these records to confirm the applicant's family background and claimed community.

Misal-i-Haqiyat, Jamabandi and Shajra Nasab are revenue records that can help establish historical land ownership, family relationships and ancestral details. Applicants can obtain the relevant records through the Revenue Department, where available.

How to Apply for an ST Certificate in Ladakh Online

The Ladakh Administration provides an online application facility through its e-SEVA portal. Eligible residents can use this portal to submit their ST Certificate applications without initially visiting the Tehsildar's office.

Follow these steps to apply online:

1. Open the official Ladakh e-SEVA portal in your browser.
2. Register as a new user using your mobile number and the required personal details. Existing users can log in with their registered credentials.
3. Open the available services directory and look for the ST Certificate or Scheduled Tribe Certificate service under the Revenue Department.
4. Select the relevant service to access the online application form.
5. Enter the required information, including your personal details, community name, district and residential information.
6. Upload scanned copies of the required documents, such as your Domicile Certificate, Aadhaar Card, Ration Card, affidavit and relevant revenue records.
7. Review the information and documents before submitting the application.
8. Submit the form and save the acknowledgement or application reference number generated by the portal.
9. Use the reference number on the e-SEVA portal to track the progress of your application.
10. After approval, download the digitally signed ST Certificate from the portal or collect it from the concerned Tehsildar's office, as applicable.

How to Apply for an ST Certificate Offline at the Tehsildar Office

Applicants who prefer the offline process can submit their applications directly to the concerned Tehsildar. Visit the Tehsildar's office responsible for your area and follow the steps below:

1. Visit your concerned Tehsildar's office and ask for the ST Certificate application form in the prescribed format.
2. Fill in the form with your personal details, community name and residential information.
3. Attach self-attested copies of the required documents, including your Domicile Certificate, Ration Card, Voter List entry, affidavit and relevant revenue records.
4. Carry the original documents for verification by the concerned officials.
5. Submit the completed application and attached documents at the designated counter.
6. The Tehsildar's office will examine the application and supporting records. If any information or document is missing, the authority may return the application with the reasons.
7. After approval, collect your ST Certificate from the Tehsildar's office. If the application is processed online, you may also download the certificate through the e-SEVA portal.

Tehsildar office details:

• Leh: DC Office Complex, Near Pologround, Leh, PIN 194101. Phone: +91-1982-252013.
• Kargil: Tehsil Office, Kargil, Baroo, PIN 194105.

Residents living outside the district headquarters can approach their respective local Tehsil or Sub-Divisional Tehsil office. Ladakh has offices serving areas such as Nubra, Zanskar, Drass, Sankoo and Shakar Chiktan, among others.

Why a Domicile Certificate Is Important for ST Certificate Application

A Domicile Certificate is an important document for residents applying for an ST Certificate in Ladakh. After Ladakh became a separate Union Territory on 31 October 2019, the earlier Permanent Resident Certificate (PRC) framework applicable under the former Jammu and Kashmir state system gave way to the Domicile Certificate system.

The Domicile Certificate serves as residence-related proof for applicants under the applicable Ladakh rules. It is also included in the document requirements for an ST Certificate application.

If you do not already have a Ladakh Domicile Certificate, you should first apply to the Tehsildar or other competent authority responsible for issuing it. You can read our separate guide on how to apply for a Domicile Certificate in Ladakh.

ST Certificate Processing Time and Validity in Ladakh

The concerned Tehsildar processes ST Certificate applications according to the applicable service delivery norms in the Union Territory of Ladakh. The time required may depend on the completeness of the application, verification of supporting documents and other prescribed procedures.

Applicants who submit their forms online can track the application using the reference number generated by the e-SEVA portal. Those who apply offline can contact the concerned Tehsildar's office for an update.

An ST Certificate issued by the competent authority in Ladakh establishes the holder's membership in a community notified as a Scheduled Tribe for the Union Territory. It can be used for applicable Central Government employment, educational admissions and other Central Government benefits throughout India, subject to the relevant recruitment, admission and scheme rules.

However, applicants should read the specific recruitment or admission notification before submitting their certificate. Some authorities may prescribe particular certificate formats, issuing-authority requirements or other conditions. Follow those instructions even if you already hold a valid ST Certificate.