Getting an ST certificate in Uttar Pradesh is not as simple as it seems, and many people get rejected without understanding why. The reason is that unlike SC certificates, the Scheduled Tribe status in UP is not state-wide for most communities. Each tribe is notified only for specific districts. If you belong to a tribal community but live in or apply from the wrong district, your application will be rejected even if your tribe is genuinely in the UP ST list.
This guide explains which tribes are notified for which districts in UP, exactly how to apply, what documents you need, and what to watch out for so your application goes through without delays.
The Most Important Thing to Know Before You Apply
Uttar Pradesh has 15 tribal communities and groups notified as Scheduled Tribes. Out of these, only five: Bhotia, Buksa, Jaunsari, Raji, and Tharu, hold ST status across the entire state. The remaining tribes are notified only for specific districts. This means your tribe must be in the ST notification for your actual home district. You cannot use an ST certificate from another district for state-level reservations in UP.
Complete List of Scheduled Tribes Notified for Uttar Pradesh
The following tribes and communities are officially notified as Scheduled Tribes in Uttar Pradesh under the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950 as amended:
Tribes Notified Across All of Uttar Pradesh
- Bhotia
- Buksa
- Jaunsari
- Raji
- Tharu
These five communities primarily belong to the Himalayan foothills and Terai belt of UP. If your family belongs to any of these communities, you can apply for an ST certificate from any district in UP where you reside.
Tribes Notified for Specific Districts Only
- Gond, Dhuria, Nayak, Ojha, Pathari, Raj Gond: notified only in the districts of Mehrajganj, Siddharth Nagar, Basti, Gorakhpur, Deoria, Mau, Azamgarh, Jaunpur, Ballia, Ghazipur, Varanasi, Mirzapur, and Sonbhadra
- Kharwar, Khairwar: notified only in the districts of Deoria, Ballia, Ghazipur, Varanasi, and Sonbhadra
- Saharya: notified only in the district of Lalitpur
- Parahiya: notified only in the district of Sonbhadra
- Baiga: notified only in the district of Sonbhadra
- Pankha, Panika: notified only in the districts of Sonbhadra and Mirzapur
- Agariya: notified only in the district of Sonbhadra
- Patari: notified only in the district of Sonbhadra
- Chero: notified only in the districts of Sonbhadra and Varanasi
- Bhuiya, Bhuinya: notified only in the district of Sonbhadra
If you belong to any of the above tribes but your family lives outside the districts mentioned, you are not eligible for an ST certificate in UP even if the same community is notified as ST in another state. In that case, you would need to check eligibility in the state where your family originates.
Note about Gond community: Gond is notified as ST in 13 districts of eastern UP. However, Gond communities living outside these 13 districts, for example in Lucknow, Kanpur, or Agra, are not eligible for ST status in UP. Many Gond families who migrated to other districts for work face this situation.
Documents Required for ST Certificate in UP
Gather all of these before starting your application to avoid back-and-forth trips:
- Aadhaar Card showing your UP address (essential for identity and address proof)
- Proof that your tribe is notified as ST in your specific district. This is the most critical document. It can be an old ST certificate of your father or grandfather, a school record showing tribal community, or a certificate issued by your Gram Pradhan or local tribal leader confirming your tribe name and district of origin
- Pariwar Register Nakal: the family register maintained at your Gram Panchayat, showing your name and tribal community
- Ration Card as family and residence proof
- UP domicile certificate (Niwas Praman Patra) confirming your residence in the notified district
- Birth certificate or school leaving certificate
- Passport-size photograph
- Self-declaration affidavit about tribal identity and community (required in most cases)
For district-specific tribes, having evidence that your family has lived in the notified district for generations strengthens your application considerably. Lekhpal field verification becomes especially important in these cases.
How to Apply for ST Certificate in Uttar Pradesh
You can apply for a Scheduled Tribe (ST) Certificate in Uttar Pradesh through the official e-Sathi Portal, the UP e-District Portal, a Jan Seva Kendra (CSC), or by visiting your Tehsil office. Before applying, make sure your tribe is notified for your district and keep all supporting documents ready.
Method 1: Apply Online Through e-Sathi Portal
The e-Sathi Portal is the easiest way to apply from home using a mobile phone, laptop, or desktop computer.
- Visit esathi.up.gov.in and click on New User Registration if you do not already have an account.
- Register using your mobile number and create a username and password.
- After registration, log in and open the Revenue Department services section.
- Select Jati Praman Patra (Anusuchit Jan Jati).
- Fill in your personal details exactly as they appear in your Aadhaar Card and other official documents.
- Enter your tribe name carefully. The name should match the official Scheduled Tribe notification for Uttar Pradesh.
- Select your district correctly. This step is extremely important because many tribes in Uttar Pradesh are recognised only in specific districts.
- Upload scanned copies of all required documents, including identity proof, residence proof, tribal community proof, and photograph.
- Review the form carefully before submission. Incorrect tribe names, spelling mistakes, or selecting the wrong district can result in rejection.
- Pay the prescribed application fee online and submit the application.
- After submission, an application number will be generated. Save this number for status tracking.
- The application is forwarded to the concerned Lekhpal for field verification.
- After successful verification, the Tehsildar reviews the application and takes the final decision.
- Once approved, log in to the portal and download your digitally signed ST Certificate.
Important: If your tribe is notified only for specific districts, make sure your documents clearly establish your connection with that notified district.
Method 2: Apply Through UP e-District Portal
The UP e-District Portal also provides access to caste certificate services. The verification process remains the same because both e-Sathi and e-District are integrated with the Revenue Department.
- Visit edistrict.up.gov.in.
- Log in or create a citizen account.
- Select the service for Scheduled Tribe (ST) Certificate.
- Fill in the application form and upload the required documents.
- Submit the application and note down the acknowledgement number.
- The application is sent for Lekhpal verification and Tehsildar approval.
- Once approved, download the certificate from the portal.
Method 3: Apply Through Jan Seva Kendra (CSC)
If you are not comfortable applying online yourself, visit your nearest Jan Seva Kendra (CSC). The operator will submit the application on your behalf through the official government portal.
- Carry all original documents and photocopies to the Jan Seva Kendra.
- Provide your Aadhaar Card, residence proof, tribal community proof, Pariwar Register Nakal, and passport-size photograph.
- The operator fills in the application form and uploads the required documents.
- Pay the government application fee along with the authorised CSC service charge.
- Collect the acknowledgement receipt containing your application number.
- Keep the receipt safe because it will be required for status tracking.
- The application is then processed through Lekhpal verification and Tehsildar approval.
- After approval, you can download the certificate yourself or obtain a printed copy from the Jan Seva Kendra.
You can locate a nearby CSC through the official CSC Locator.
Method 4: Apply Offline at the Tehsil Office
If you prefer a face-to-face process, you can apply directly at the Tehsil office of your district.
- Visit the concerned Tehsil office during working hours.
- Collect the application form for Jati Praman Patra (Anusuchit Jan Jati).
- Fill in all details carefully and write your tribe name exactly as recorded in official documents.
- Attach self-attested photocopies of all supporting documents.
- Submit the completed application and collect the acknowledgement receipt.
- The Tehsil office forwards the application to the concerned Lekhpal for field verification.
- After verification, the Tehsildar examines the report and takes a final decision on the application.
- If approved, the certificate is issued and can be collected from the Tehsil office.
Remember: Whether you apply through e-Sathi, e-District, a Jan Seva Kendra, or directly at the Tehsil office, every ST certificate application normally goes through Lekhpal verification before the Tehsildar issues the final certificate.
Why ST Certificate Applications in UP Get Rejected
Rejection rates for ST certificates in UP are higher than for SC certificates, mainly because of the district-specific rule. Here are the most common reasons:
- The tribe name written in the application does not match the exact name in the official ST notification (e.g., writing "Gondi" instead of "Gond")
- Applying from a district where the tribe is not notified as ST
- No documentary proof linking the applicant's family to the specific tribal community
- Pariwar Register at gram panchayat does not mention the correct tribe name
- Lekhpal unable to verify tribal identity during field visit due to absence or incomplete records
Before applying, verify that your tribe name and district both match the official notification. If in doubt, approach the Tehsildar's office first and ask to see the UP ST notification to confirm eligibility.
Caste Scrutiny for Government Jobs and College Admissions
Once you have an ST certificate from the Tehsildar, you may be asked to get it verified by the district-level Caste Scrutiny Committee before using it for government employment or certain college admissions. This committee independently verifies that the certificate is genuine and that the applicant truly belongs to the notified tribal community.
Several High Court orders and government instructions have made scrutiny committee verification mandatory for ST candidates applying to state government posts in UP. If you receive a call letter or appointment letter that asks for a verified ST certificate, submit your Tehsildar-issued certificate to the district scrutiny committee and obtain their verification. Skipping this step can lead to cancellation of selection later.
Benefits of ST Certificate in UP
Holding a valid Jati Praman Patra (Anusuchit Jan Jati) from Uttar Pradesh entitles you to:
- 2% reservation in UP state government jobs for ST candidates
- 7.5% reservation in central government jobs nationally
- Reserved seats in government colleges, universities, and professional courses in UP
- Pre-matric and post-matric tribal scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal
- Special benefits under tribal welfare schemes run by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs
- 5 years age relaxation in government competitive exams including UPPSC, UPSSSC, and police recruitment
- Access to Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) for children of ST families
- Benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana for tribal villages
- Rights under the Forest Rights Act 2006 for eligible tribal communities living in or near forest areas
Tracking and Grievances
After submitting your application, track it on the e-Sathi portal using your application number. If your application is delayed beyond the prescribed period under the UP Right to Public Service Act, call the CM Helpline 1076 and register a grievance with your application number.
For complaints related to violation of tribal rights, including denial of ST certificate, atrocities against tribal communities, or displacement of tribal families, file a complaint with the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes. Online complaints can be registered through their portal at ncstgrams.gov.in.
For atrocity-related complaints, call the national helpline 14566 or register a complaint at nhapoa.gov.in.
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