Nagaland ST Certificate: Online Apply, IIC & Tribal Verification

If you belong to a Scheduled Tribe recognised in Nagaland, an ST Certificate is an important document for establishing your tribal identity. You may need it when applying for government recruitment, educational admissions, scholarships and other benefits available to eligible Scheduled Tribe candidates. However, Nagaland follows a specific constitutional order for recognising its Scheduled Tribes, and the state also maintains a separate system for recognising individual Naga tribes.

The application process involves verification of your tribal identity by the district administration. You should also understand the difference between an ST Certificate, an Indigenous Inhabitant Certificate (IIC) and a Backward Tribe (BT) Certificate before applying. This guide explains the recognised communities, eligibility, documents, online application process, issuing authority and applicable charges.

What Is a Nagaland ST Certificate?

A Nagaland Scheduled Tribe (ST) Certificate is an official community certificate that establishes that a person belongs to a Scheduled Tribe recognised in relation to the State of Nagaland under Article 342 of the Constitution of India.

Unlike most other states, Nagaland has a separate constitutional order called the Constitution (Nagaland) Scheduled Tribes Order, 1970 (C.O. 88). The President issued this order under Article 342 after consultation with the Governor of Nagaland.

The certificate is issued by the district administration after verifying the applicant's tribal identity and supporting documents. The Government of Nagaland has prescribed a specific certificate format and designated the competent district authorities for issuing it.

An ST Certificate is different from an Indigenous Inhabitant Certificate (IIC) and a Backward Tribe (BT) Certificate. Each document establishes a different status and serves a separate purpose under the state's administrative and reservation system.

Scheduled Tribes Recognised in Nagaland

The Constitution (Nagaland) Scheduled Tribes Order, 1970 does not list all individual Naga tribes separately. Instead, its Schedule contains five broad entries covering the tribal communities recognised in relation to Nagaland.

The five constitutional entries are:

1. Naga
2. Kuki
3. Kachari
4. Mikir
5. Garo

The Government of Nagaland also maintains a separate list of recognised Naga tribes. The state has recognised 15 individual Naga tribes in its official publication Nagaland Basic Facts 2022.

Recognised Naga Tribes

The following 15 communities are listed as recognised Naga tribes in the Government of Nagaland's publication:

1. Angami
2. Ao
3. Chakhesang
4. Chang
5. Khiamniungan
6. Konyak
7. Lotha
8. Phom
9. Pochury
10. Rengma
11. Sangtam
12. Sumi
13. Tikhir
14. Yimkhiung
15. Zeliang

Along with these communities, Kuki and Kachari are also recognised as separate Scheduled Tribe entries for Nagaland. Garo and Mikir appear in the constitutional list as well.

Important clarification: The number of major tribes mentioned in Nagaland's state profile should not be confused with the five broad entries in the constitutional ST Order. The constitutional order and the state's list of recognised Naga tribes serve different purposes.

Recognition of Tikhir as a Separate Naga Tribe

Tikhir received recognition as a separate Naga tribe through a Nagaland Government notification dated 20 January 2022. Before this recognition, government records and certificate-related instructions treated the community under the Yimkhiung tribal identity.

The state government subsequently issued guidelines explaining the implications of this recognition. These guidelines also clarified that members of the Tikhir and Yimkhiung communities have the freedom to choose the community to which they belong.

On 23 March 2022, the Government of Nagaland also included Tikhir in the list of Backward Tribes eligible for the state's designated BT reservation arrangement.

Constitutional Basis for Scheduled Tribe Status in Nagaland

Article 342 of the Constitution empowers the President to specify the tribes or tribal communities that qualify as Scheduled Tribes in relation to a particular state or Union Territory. Parliament can subsequently include or exclude communities from the notified list through legislation.

For Nagaland, the applicable constitutional order is the Constitution (Nagaland) Scheduled Tribes Order, 1970 (C.O. 88). Its Schedule recognises Naga, Kuki, Kachari, Mikir and Garo communities in relation to the state.

This order is separate from the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950, which covers many other states. Therefore, applicants should refer to the Nagaland-specific order when checking whether their community is recognised for ST status in the state.

The distinction is important for people who have migrated from another state. Recognition of a community as an ST in another state does not automatically establish eligibility for an ST Certificate in Nagaland.

What Is the Backward Tribe (BT) Classification in Nagaland?

The Government of Nagaland has created a separate Backward Tribe (BT) classification for certain communities that require additional representation in state government services. This classification operates within the state's reservation policy and is different from constitutional Scheduled Tribe recognition.

The state introduced a separate reservation arrangement for Backward Tribes through notifications issued by the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms. The 14 April 2011 notification provided:

• 25% reservation: For six identified tribes from Mon, Tuensang, Kiphire and Longleng districts.
• 12% reservation: For Chakhesang/Pochury, Zeliang and Sumis of Kiphire District, according to the specified distribution.

Following the separate recognition of Tikhir in January 2022, the Government of Nagaland included Tikhir in the group of tribes covered by the 25% BT reservation arrangement through a notification dated 23 March 2022.

The seven tribes covered under this 25% arrangement are:

1. Konyak
2. Phom
3. Sangtam
4. Yimkhiung
5. Chang
6. Khiamniungan
7. Tikhir

The 12% arrangement separately covers Chakhesang/Pochury, Zeliang and Sumis of Kiphire District, as specified in the government notification.

An ST Certificate and a BT Certificate are not interchangeable. The ST Certificate establishes your Scheduled Tribe identity, whereas a BT Certificate establishes eligibility for the specific Backward Tribe reservation category. If you intend to claim a BT-specific benefit, check the relevant recruitment notification and obtain the required BT documentation separately.

Is There Any Religion Restriction for a Nagaland ST Certificate?

No religion-based restriction applies to Scheduled Tribe recognition under the Constitution (Nagaland) Scheduled Tribes Order, 1970. A person belonging to a recognised tribal community does not lose ST status merely because they follow a particular religion.

Christianity is widely followed among Nagaland's tribal communities, but religious affiliation does not by itself determine eligibility for an ST Certificate. The applicant must establish membership of a community recognised under the applicable constitutional order and satisfy the state's verification requirements.

Eligibility for Nagaland ST Certificate

You can apply for a Nagaland ST Certificate if you belong to a community recognised as a Scheduled Tribe in relation to Nagaland and can establish your tribal identity through the prescribed verification process.

The following conditions are important:

• Recognised community: Your tribal community must fall within one of the five entries in the Constitution (Nagaland) Scheduled Tribes Order, 1970.
• Genuine tribal identity: You must establish that you genuinely belong to the claimed tribal community. The district administration verifies the claim before issuing the certificate.
• Indigenous status: The state guidelines require certificates to be issued to bona fide indigenous tribal communities of Nagaland.
• Local verification: The concerned Village Council Chairman or Gaon Bura verifies and recommends the application before it moves to the issuing authority.
• Indigenous Inhabitant Certificate: The current online ST Certificate service requires a digitally issued IIC. Applicants should obtain this document before applying through the online service.

Residence in Nagaland alone does not automatically establish Scheduled Tribe status. Similarly, having a parent who belongs to a recognised tribe does not remove the need for the district administration to verify the applicant's claim.

The government may examine family and community records and seek additional information before issuing the certificate. It also checks applications to prevent certificates from being issued to ineligible applicants.

ST Certificate and Indigenous Inhabitant Certificate (IIC): What Is the Difference?

Nagaland uses two separate documents to establish tribal identity and indigenous inhabitant status. Although both certificates are important for several state government purposes, they do not establish the same thing.

The Government of Nagaland's current Unified Services Portal specifically states that a digitally issued Indigenous Inhabitant Certificate is required for the online ST Certificate service.

Therefore, if you do not already have a digitally issued IIC, check the IIC service first and complete that process before starting your ST Certificate application.

You can read the separate guide on Nagaland PRC and IIC Certificate application process for more information.

Documents Required for Nagaland ST Certificate

The district administration verifies an applicant's tribal identity before issuing an ST Certificate. The documents you need may depend on your family records, community and district-level verification requirements.

Keep the following documents ready before approaching the issuing authority:

• Application form: The prescribed ST Certificate application form or the online application submitted through the government service portal.
• Digitally issued IIC: The current online ST Certificate service specifically requires a digitally issued Indigenous Inhabitant Certificate.
• Parent's ST Certificate: An existing ST Certificate of your father or mother, if available, can help establish your family and tribal background.
• Tribal membership evidence: A recommendation or verification from the concerned Village Council, Gaon Bura or recognised tribal body, as required during the verification process.
• Identity proof: A valid identity document, such as Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, PAN Card or another document accepted by the district authority.
• Address proof: Documents supporting your residential details, if required by the issuing authority.
• Photograph: A recent passport-size photograph, where required by the application form.
• Additional supporting documents: Any other evidence requested by the DC office to verify your tribal identity or family background.

What if your parents do not have an ST Certificate? The absence of an existing parental certificate does not mean you should submit an unverified declaration or assume that the application will be rejected. Contact the Judicial Branch of your district's DC office and ask which alternative records or declarations it accepts for establishing your tribal identity.

The Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms, Nagaland, publishes the state's certificate guidelines and prescribed formats. Applicants should consult the latest instructions or their district administration before arranging documents.

How to Apply for Nagaland ST Certificate Online

The Government of Nagaland lists the Scheduled Tribe Certificate service on its Unified Services Portal. Applicants can use this government platform to check the service requirements and submit an online application.

Before starting, make sure you have your digitally issued IIC and the supporting documents required to establish your tribal identity.

1. Visit the Nagaland Unified Services Portal.
2. Create a citizen account or sign in using an available login option.
3. Open the services section and search for Scheduled Tribe Certificate.
4. Read the eligibility conditions and service instructions displayed on the portal.
5. Check that you have a digitally issued Indigenous Inhabitant Certificate, as the portal lists it as a requirement.
6. Open the ST Certificate application and enter your personal, family and tribal details correctly.
7. Upload the required documents in the file format and size accepted by the portal.
8. Review the information carefully before submitting the application.
9. Pay the displayed service charge through the available online payment option.
10. Submit the application and save the acknowledgement or application reference number for future tracking.

The application will be examined by the concerned authority. The district administration may verify your community details through the prescribed local verification process before issuing the certificate.

Official application portal: services.nagaland.gov.in

How to Apply Through a Common Service Centre (CSC)

If you are unable to complete the online application yourself, you can seek assistance from a Common Service Centre or another authorised service facility, where the Nagaland government service is available.

A CSC operator can help you access the online service, enter application details and upload scanned documents. However, the applicant remains responsible for providing correct information and genuine supporting records.

Follow these steps:

1. Locate a CSC or authorised service centre in your area.
2. Ask whether the centre currently assists with Nagaland ST Certificate applications.
3. Carry your digitally issued IIC and other supporting documents.
4. Provide the required information to the operator for filling in the online form.
5. Check the application details before allowing the operator to submit it.
6. Pay the applicable government charge and any separately disclosed facilitation fee.
7. Collect the payment receipt and application reference number.

Do not share your login credentials or OTP with an unauthorised person. Always keep the acknowledgement and payment receipt until the application is completed.

How to Apply Offline at the Deputy Commissioner's Office

You can also approach the Deputy Commissioner's Office in your district for guidance on the ST Certificate process. The district administration handles the verification and issuance of community certificates.

1. Visit the Judicial Branch or the designated certificate section of your district's Deputy Commissioner's Office.
2. Ask for the current procedure and prescribed ST Certificate application form.
3. Confirm the documents required for your particular tribal community and family circumstances.
4. Arrange your IIC and other supporting records, as instructed by the office.
5. Get your application verified and recommended by the concerned Village Council Chairman or Gaon Bura, as applicable.
6. Submit the application and supporting documents to the designated office.
7. Collect an acknowledgement or receipt, if issued, and ask how you can follow up on the application.

The district office may direct you to use the online service for a particular application or re-issuance category. Therefore, confirm whether a fresh ST Certificate application can currently be submitted offline before making a visit.

Application Fee for Nagaland ST Certificate

The Government of Nagaland's Unified Services Portal currently displays a service cost of Rs.100 for the Scheduled Tribe Certificate service.

The same portal also lists a separate re-issue service for ST Certificates for identified Backward Tribe applicants, with a service cost of Rs.100. The re-issue service has its own conditions and requires a digitally issued IIC.

Before making payment, check the amount displayed against the specific service you are applying for. If you use a CSC or another service centre, ask whether it charges an additional facilitation fee over and above the government service cost.

Always retain the online payment confirmation or receipt as proof of payment.

Who Issues the Nagaland ST Certificate?

The Government of Nagaland has authorised district-level officers to issue Scheduled Tribe and Indigenous Inhabitant Certificates. Under the Office Memorandum dated 15 October 2008, the Additional Deputy Commissioners of the various districts were authorised to issue these certificates to indigenous tribal applicants within their respective jurisdictions.

The subsequent guidelines dated 21 March 2011 specify that ST and Indigenous Inhabitant Certificates must be issued by an Administrative Officer not below the rank of Additional Deputy Commissioner.

Therefore, the certificate should be issued by an authorised district officer of ADC rank or above. It is not enough for an application to receive a recommendation from a village-level authority; the competent district authority must examine and approve the claim.

The Deputy Commissioner and Additional Deputy Commissioner are also responsible for ensuring that certificates are not issued to applicants who do not meet the prescribed conditions.

How Is Tribal Identity Verified Before Issuing the Certificate?

The Government of Nagaland has issued specific instructions to prevent the incorrect or fraudulent issuance of ST and Indigenous Inhabitant Certificates.

Under the guidelines dated 21 March 2011:

• The application for an ST Certificate must be verified and recommended by the concerned Village Council Chairman or Gaon Bura.
• The application must undergo further verification at the area administrative officer level before it reaches the issuing authority.
• The competent authority must examine the applicant's claim of indigenous tribal identity before issuing the certificate.
• Land ownership documents cannot be made a compulsory condition for issuing or verifying an ST Certificate or Indigenous Inhabitant Certificate.
• Applications should be processed as early as practicable.

The guidelines also state that a certificate received for confirmation should be checked against the records available in the office within a fortnight of receiving the verification request.

These checks help the administration establish whether an applicant genuinely belongs to the claimed community. The district authority may take further steps if the documents or community details require clarification.

Where Can You Use a Nagaland ST Certificate?

An ST Certificate is useful whenever an authority asks you to establish your Scheduled Tribe status for a reservation, scholarship, admission or welfare benefit.

Depending on the applicable rules, you may need it for the following purposes:

• Nagaland government recruitment: Establishing ST identity for state government vacancies where the recruitment rules provide the relevant reservation.
• Central government recruitment: Claiming ST reservation in eligible central government vacancies, subject to the applicable state-specific recognition and recruitment conditions.
• Educational admissions: Applying under ST reservation provisions in eligible colleges, universities and other educational institutions.
• ST scholarships: Establishing community status for eligible Pre-Matric, Post-Matric and other scholarship programmes.
• National Fellowship: Applying for fellowship programmes available to eligible Scheduled Tribe students and researchers.
• National Overseas Scholarship: Submitting an ST Certificate when applying for overseas education assistance, subject to the scheme's separate eligibility conditions.
• Tribal welfare schemes: Applying for government programmes and assistance intended for eligible Scheduled Tribe beneficiaries.
• NPSC recruitment: Supporting an ST-category claim where the relevant recruitment advertisement asks for the certificate.
• Backward Tribe reservation: Applying for a separate BT-specific reservation benefit if your community falls under the state's notified Backward Tribe category and you meet the applicable conditions.

Remember that an ST Certificate does not automatically guarantee a government job, admission or scholarship. You must also meet the relevant age, educational, income, domicile and other eligibility conditions of the particular recruitment or scheme.

For Nagaland state government recruitment, the Indigenous Inhabitant Certificate and other documents may also be required. Always read the relevant recruitment advertisement before submitting your application.

Important Links

Contact Details

For questions about eligibility, tribal verification, application documents or certificate issuance, contact the Judicial Branch of the Deputy Commissioner's Office in your district.

Kohima Deputy Commissioner's Office

• Address: DC Office Building, Kohima, Nagaland – 797001
• Telephone: 0370-2290355
• Email: [email protected]
• Official website: kohima.nic.in

If you live in another district, visit the official Nagaland State Portal or your district's NIC website to find the relevant Deputy Commissioner's Office contact details.