A Delhi SC (Scheduled Caste) Certificate is an important document for people belonging to Scheduled Caste communities notified for the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi under the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, as amended from time to time. It is required to claim reservation in government jobs, educational institutions, and various welfare schemes meant for Scheduled Caste beneficiaries. At present, 36 Scheduled Caste communities are notified for Delhi.
The certificate is issued by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) under the Revenue Department, Government of NCT of Delhi. Depending on your eligibility and family background, you may receive either a Delhi State SC Certificate or an Other State SC Certificate. To determine the correct certificate, the Revenue Department has prescribed six different eligibility cases covering original Delhi residents as well as applicants who have migrated from other states.
Eligibility for SC Certificate in Delhi
You can apply for an SC certificate in Delhi only if you meet all of the following eligibility conditions:
- You are a citizen of India.
- You belong to a caste notified as a Scheduled Caste under the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, as amended from time to time.
- Your case falls under any one of the six categories prescribed by the Revenue Department (Cases I to VI).
- SC status cannot be claimed on the basis of marriage alone.
For minor applicants: The application must be submitted by a parent or legal guardian. As per the prescribed guidelines, the identity proof should be in the minor's name, while the address proof should belong to the parent or guardian.
Common Documents Required (All Cases)
Before applying for a Delhi SC certificate, keep the following documents ready. These documents are commonly required for all six application categories. However, depending on your applicable case, the Revenue Department may ask for additional supporting documents.
Identity Proof of the Applicant (Any One)
- Aadhaar Card
- PAN Card
- Voter ID Card
- Passport
- Driving Licence
- Photo Ration Card
- Any other government-issued identity document
For applicants below 18 years of age, a letter issued by the school Principal on the school's letterhead is also accepted as identity proof. For children below 5 years of age, a Birth Certificate can be submitted.
Identity Proof of Parent or Guardian (For Minor Applicants)
If the applicant is a minor, the identity proof of the parent or legal guardian must also be submitted. Any document listed above can be used.
Present Address Proof (Any One)
- Aadhaar Card
- Voter ID Card
- Driving Licence
- Passport
- Photo Ration Card
- Registered Rent Agreement
- Bank Passbook
- Electricity Bill
- Water Bill
- Telephone Bill (Landline/Postpaid)
- Gas Bill
- Any other government-issued address proof
Permanent Address Proof
You can submit any one of the documents listed under the present address proof as your permanent address proof.
Passport-size Photograph
Upload a recent passport-size colour photograph measuring 5 cm × 4.5 cm (or 2" × 1.75"). The photograph should show a full front-facing view with open eyes, a plain white or off-white background, no shadows, no sunglasses or headgear (unless worn for religious reasons), and a natural expression with the mouth closed.
Six Cases and Their Specific Documents
The Revenue Department has classified SC certificate applications into six different categories based on your family's residence in Delhi, migration history, and availability of a caste certificate issued to a paternal relative. Identify the category that matches your situation and keep the required documents ready.
Case I: Original Delhi Resident with Family Certificate (Family in Delhi Before 1951)
If your family has been residing in Delhi since before 1951 and a Scheduled Caste certificate has already been issued to any paternal relative, you can apply for a Delhi State SC Certificate.
Documents required:
- Completed application form
- Copy of the Scheduled Caste certificate issued to a paternal relative
- Proof of relationship with the certificate holder
- One photo identity proof of the applicant (or parent in case of a minor)
- One present address proof
Case II: Migrated to Delhi After 1951, Community Notified as SC in Both Home State and Delhi, Has Family Certificate
If your family settled in Delhi after 1951, your caste is notified as a Scheduled Caste in both your home state and Delhi, and a paternal relative already holds an SC certificate, you are eligible to apply for a Delhi State SC Certificate.
Documents required:
- Completed application form
- Copy of the Scheduled Caste certificate of a paternal relative
- Proof of relationship with the certificate holder
- One photo identity proof
- One present address proof
- Any one of the following:
- Birth Certificate (if born in Delhi)
- Matriculation certificate or marksheet (if educated in Delhi)
- Proof of residence in Delhi for the last five years
Case III: Migrated to Delhi, Community Notified as SC in Home State but Not in Delhi, Has Family Certificate
If your family shifted to Delhi after 1951, your caste is recognised as a Scheduled Caste only in your state of origin, and a paternal relative already possesses a caste certificate, you can apply for an Other State SC Certificate.
Documents required:
- Completed application form
- Copy of the caste certificate issued to a paternal relative by Delhi or the state of origin
- Proof of relationship with the certificate holder
- One photo identity proof
- One present address proof
Case IV: Recently Migrated to Delhi, Family Has Certificate from Home State
This category is meant for applicants whose family has recently shifted to Delhi and whose paternal relative already holds a caste certificate issued by the state of origin or Delhi. The caste may or may not be included in Delhi's Scheduled Caste list. Eligible applicants receive an Other State SC Certificate.
Documents required:
- Completed application form
- Copy of the caste certificate issued to a paternal relative
- Proof of relationship with the certificate holder
- One photo identity proof
- One present address proof
Case V: Original Delhi Resident Since Before 1951, No Certificate Issued to Any Paternal Relative
If your family has been residing in Delhi since before 1951 but no paternal relative has ever been issued a caste certificate, you can still apply for a Delhi State SC Certificate. In this situation, field verification by an officer not below the rank of Naib Tehsildar is compulsory.
Documents required:
- Completed application form
- Proof showing the family's residence in Delhi before 1951
- One photo identity proof
- One present address proof
Case VI: Migrated to Delhi After 1951, No Certificate Issued to Any Paternal Relative
If your family migrated to Delhi after 1951 and no paternal relative has ever obtained a caste certificate, the Revenue Department will determine your eligibility after field verification. Depending on the verification results, you may receive either a Delhi State SC Certificate or an Other State SC Certificate. Verification by a Naib Tehsildar or a higher-ranking officer is mandatory.
Documents required:
- Completed application form
- One photo identity proof
- One present address proof
- Any one of the following:
- Birth Certificate (if born in Delhi)
- Matriculation certificate or marksheet (if educated in Delhi)
- Proof of residence in Delhi for the last five years
- Proof of residence in the state of origin before 1951
How to Apply for Delhi SC Certificate Online
The Revenue Department accepts online applications through the official Delhi e-District Portal. Before starting the application, keep all required documents ready according to your applicable case (Case I to Case VI).
- Visit the Delhi e-District Portal and register as a new user or sign in using your existing account.
- Open the Revenue Department services and select SC/ST Certificate.
- Complete the online application by entering your personal details, caste information, residential address, and other required particulars.
- Upload the supporting documents applicable to your case, along with a recent passport-size photograph.
- Upload the scanned self-declaration. After submitting the online application, send the original signed self-declaration to the concerned SDM, Tehsildar, or Citizen Service Centre (CSC) by hand, Speed Post, or Registered Post, mentioning your application or acknowledgement number.
- Review all the information carefully and submit the application.
- Save the acknowledgement or reference number, as it will be required to track your application status.
Important: Submission of the online application does not always complete the verification process. The Revenue Department may ask you to produce original documents for verification. Where required, the applicant or an eligible family member must also appear for photograph verification or comply with the prescribed photograph guidelines.
How to Apply Offline at SDM Office or CSC
If you do not wish to apply online, you can submit your application offline through the concerned SDM office or a Citizen Service Centre (CSC). Before visiting, make sure you have all the documents required for your applicable case.
- Visit the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) office having jurisdiction over your area or your nearest Citizen Service Centre (CSC).
- Obtain the SC/ST certificate application form from the office or download it in advance from the Revenue Department's official website.
- Fill in the application form and attach self-attested copies of all required documents. Carry the original documents for verification, if requested.
- Submit the completed application at the SDM, Tehsildar, or CSC counter during office hours. As per the prescribed guidelines, applications are generally accepted between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM on working days.
- If you apply through a CSC, your photograph will be captured at the centre. The applicant or an eligible family member must be present for photograph verification.
- After successful verification, collect the certificate from the concerned office if instructed, or check its availability through the online status tracking service.
To identify the correct SDM office for your locality, use the Find Your Locality facility available on the official Revenue Department website at revenue.delhi.gov.in.
Application Fee and Processing Time
The Revenue Department, Government of NCT of Delhi does not charge any application or processing fee for issuing an SC certificate. Whether you apply online through the Delhi e-District Portal or offline at an SDM office or Citizen Service Centre (CSC), the certificate is issued completely free of cost.
Under the prescribed Service Level Agreement (SLA), the application is normally processed within 14 days. However, if your case requires verification from the competent authority of another state, the final decision will be taken only after the verification report is received. In such cases, the overall processing time may be longer than the standard timeline.
How to Check Application Status
After submitting your application, you can track its progress online through the Delhi e-District Portal. Keep your application or acknowledgement number ready before checking the status.
The portal allows you to view the current stage of your application, including whether it is under scrutiny, pending field verification, approved, or ready for certificate issuance. Once the certificate is issued, you can follow the instructions provided on the portal to obtain it.
Important Points to Remember
- SC certificates in Delhi are issued only after verification of the applicant's eligibility and supporting documents by the Revenue Department.
- All information provided in the application form must be correct and supported by valid documents. Furnishing false information or submitting forged documents may result in rejection of the application as well as legal action under the applicable law.
- SC status cannot be claimed on the basis of marriage alone. Eligibility is determined according to the applicable provisions of the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950 and the guidelines of the Revenue Department.
- Applicants covered under Case V and Case VI, where no paternal family caste certificate is available, are required to undergo field verification by an officer not below the rank of Naib Tehsildar.
- The details of applicants who are issued SC/ST certificates may be published by the Revenue Department as part of its official records and public disclosure policy.
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