An SC Certificate issued in Sikkim confirms that the holder belongs to a Scheduled Caste community notified for the State. The certificate is granted by the competent district authority and is required whenever an applicant wishes to claim reservation or other benefits available to Scheduled Caste communities under the applicable Central and State Government rules.
Eligible applicants can obtain the certificate either through the official Sikkim SSO Portal or by submitting an application at the District Administrative Centre (DAC) of the concerned district. This guide explains the notified communities, eligibility requirements, documents, application fee and the complete procedure to obtain the certificate.
Sikkim has its own separate Scheduled Castes order (C.O. 110, 1978), which is distinct from the main Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950 that applies to most other states. Only three communities are currently notified under this order.
What Is a Sikkim SC Caste Certificate?
A Sikkim Scheduled Caste (SC) Certificate is the official proof that a person belongs to a Scheduled Caste community notified for the State under the Constitution (Sikkim) Scheduled Castes Order, 1978 (C.O. 110), issued under Article 341 of the Constitution of India. The certificate is issued by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) or the Additional District Collector (ADC) of the concerned district after verification of the applicant's eligibility and supporting documents.
The certificate is required to claim reservation benefits in government recruitment, admissions to educational institutions, scholarships and other welfare programmes meant for Scheduled Caste communities. Once issued, it generally remains valid for a lifetime, although a fresh certificate may be obtained whenever a government department, recruiting authority or educational institution specifically asks for a recently issued copy.
SC Communities Notified for Sikkim
The following communities are notified as Scheduled Castes in Sikkim under the Constitution (Sikkim) Scheduled Castes Order, 1978 (C.O. 110):
- Damai (Nepali)
- Kami (Nepali) and Lohar (Nepali)
- Sarki (Nepali)
All three communities are Nepali-origin communities traditionally resident in Sikkim. The Damai are traditionally associated with tailoring and music, the Kami and Lohar with blacksmithing and metalwork, and the Sarki with leatherwork and cobbling. These communities are part of the Nepali Dalit communities that have been living in Sikkim for generations and are recognized as Scheduled Castes by the Government of India through the 1978 Order.
Only four entries were in the original 1978 Order. Entry 3 was subsequently omitted by the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Orders (Amendment) Act, 2014 (Act 34 of 2014). The three communities listed above are the currently valid entries.
Religion Requirement for an SC Certificate in Sikkim
Eligibility for a Scheduled Caste (SC) Certificate in Sikkim is subject to the religious condition prescribed under the Constitution (Sikkim) Scheduled Castes Order, 1978. Under this Order, Scheduled Caste status is recognised only for persons who profess the Hindu, Sikh or Buddhist religion.
Accordingly, a person belonging to the Damai, Kami, Lohar or Sarki community who professes Christianity, Islam or any other religion is not eligible to obtain an SC Certificate under the existing constitutional provisions.
Who Can Apply for an SC Certificate in Sikkim?
You can apply for an SC Certificate in Sikkim if you fulfil all of the following conditions:
- You belong to one of the Scheduled Caste communities notified under the Constitution (Sikkim) Scheduled Castes Order, 1978.
- You are ordinarily residing in Sikkim.
- You profess the Hindu, Sikh or Buddhist religion.
- Your Scheduled Caste status is acquired by birth through your parent or legal guardian belonging to the same notified Scheduled Caste community.
Documents Required for a Sikkim SC Certificate
Before submitting your application, ensure that all the required documents are ready. Applicants applying online should upload clear scanned copies, while those applying offline should carry the original documents for verification wherever required.
- Birth Certificate: A copy of the applicant's Birth Certificate to establish identity and other relevant particulars.
- Certificate of Identification (COI): Submit the prescribed Certificate of Identification as required for the SC Certificate application.
- Passport-size photograph and signature: One recent passport-size photograph of the applicant along with the applicant's signature.
- No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Gram Panchayat or Pipon: Obtain an NOC from the Gram Panchayat if you reside in a rural area or from the Pipon, wherever applicable, confirming your residence and community details. This is a mandatory supporting document.
- State Bank of Sikkim fee receipt: A receipt issued by the State Bank of Sikkim showing payment of the prescribed application fee of Rs. 50.
Important: If you are applying through the Sikkim SSO Portal, upload all documents in the prescribed format and within the permitted file size. Files with unsupported formats or invalid filenames may not be accepted by the system.
Application Fee for Sikkim SC Certificate
An application fee of Rs. 50 is payable for obtaining an SC Certificate in Sikkim. The amount must be deposited at any branch of the State Bank of Sikkim before you submit your application.
After making the payment, collect the bank receipt and attach a copy of it with your application. This receipt is a mandatory supporting document for both online applications submitted through the Sikkim SSO Portal and applications filed offline at the District Administrative Centre (DAC).
How to Apply for a Sikkim SC Certificate
Eligible applicants can obtain an SC Certificate either through the official Sikkim SSO Portal or by submitting an application at the District Administrative Centre (DAC) of their district. Before you begin, keep all the required documents ready to avoid delays during the application process.
Method 1: Apply Online Through the Sikkim SSO Portal
The Government of Sikkim accepts online SC Certificate applications through the Sikkim Single Sign-On (SSO) Portal.
- Visit the Sikkim SSO Portal using any web browser.
- If you are a first-time user, complete the registration process by creating an SSO account. Existing users can sign in using their registered login credentials.
- After logging in, search for the Scheduled Caste (SC) Certificate service from the list of available citizen services.
- Open the online application form and enter your personal details, community information, address and other required particulars exactly as recorded in your supporting documents.
- Upload your recent passport-size photograph, signature and scanned copies of all mandatory documents, including the Birth Certificate, Certificate of Identification (COI), Panchayat or Pipon NOC and the State Bank of Sikkim fee receipt.
- Carefully verify all the information before submitting the application. Incorrect details or incomplete document uploads may delay verification.
- Submit the application and save the acknowledgement or application reference number generated by the portal for future reference.
- You can sign in to the SSO portal at any time to track the progress of your application. After approval by the competent authority, the certificate can be downloaded from the portal wherever the online download facility is available.
Method 2: Apply Offline at the District Administrative Centre (DAC)
Applicants who prefer offline submission can visit the General Section of the District Administrative Centre (DAC) or the office of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) in their district.
- Deposit the prescribed application fee at any branch of the State Bank of Sikkim and obtain the payment receipt.
- Collect the required No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Gram Panchayat or Pipon, wherever applicable.
- Obtain the SC Certificate application form from the District Administrative Centre or the concerned SDM office.
- Complete the application form and attach all the required supporting documents.
- Submit the completed application to the designated counter and collect the acknowledgement receipt for future reference.
- The competent authority will examine your application and supporting documents. If everything is found to be in order, the SC Certificate will be issued.
Note: For any assistance regarding the application process or document requirements, contact or visit the District Administrative Centre (DAC) of your respective district during office hours.
What Is the Panchayat or Pipon NOC?
A No Objection Certificate (NOC) issued by the Gram Panchayat or Pipon is one of the mandatory documents required for an SC Certificate application in Sikkim. It helps the issuing authority verify the applicant's place of residence and community details before the certificate is issued.
Applicants residing in areas administered by a Gram Panchayat should obtain the NOC from their respective Panchayat. Where the traditional village administration is followed, the NOC should be obtained from the Pipon, wherever applicable. Keep this document ready before applying either through the Sikkim SSO Portal or at the District Administrative Centre (DAC).
Who Is the Competent Authority to Issue an SC Certificate in Sikkim?
The Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) or the Additional District Collector (ADC) of the concerned district is responsible for issuing the SC Certificate in Sikkim. The authority examines the application, verifies the supporting documents and, if the applicant satisfies all eligibility conditions, approves the certificate.
Applications submitted online through the Sikkim SSO Portal are also processed and approved by the same competent authority.
Where Can You Use a Sikkim SC Certificate?
- Reservation in recruitment to Sikkim Government services under the Scheduled Caste quota.
- Reservation benefits in eligible Central Government jobs.
- Admission under the Scheduled Caste reservation quota in government colleges, Central Universities and other eligible educational institutions.
- Scholarships for Scheduled Caste students available through the National Scholarship Portal.
- National Fellowship, National Overseas Scholarship and other eligible welfare schemes for Scheduled Caste applicants.
- Fee concessions, hostel facilities and other educational assistance available under applicable SC reservation rules.
- Benefits under welfare schemes implemented for Scheduled Caste communities by the Central and State Governments.
- Applications for services where Scheduled Caste status is required, including a Ration Card and other eligible government welfare programmes.
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