Lakshadweep ST Certificate: Eligibility, Online Application & Documents

An ST (Scheduled Tribe) Certificate in Lakshadweep is an official document issued through the Revenue Department of the Lakshadweep Administration. It confirms that a person qualifies as a Scheduled Tribe under the special constitutional provision applicable to the Union Territory.

Unlike most other parts of India, Lakshadweep does not have a conventional community-wise list of Scheduled Tribes. Its ST recognition is based on the person's connection with the Laccadive, Minicoy and Aminidivi Islands, including the birthplace of the applicant and both parents. A special legal provision also covers certain children born on the Indian mainland to island-born parents who later settle permanently in Lakshadweep.

Eligible applicants can apply online through the official e-District Lakshadweep portal or access the service through the National Government Services Portal. The Revenue Department handles the service, and the Administration's e-District FAQ states that the normal processing period is one week.

Who Is Eligible for an ST Certificate in Lakshadweep?

The eligibility conditions for Scheduled Tribe recognition in Lakshadweep come from the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) (Union Territories) Order, 1951, as amended. The provision applies throughout the Union Territory and identifies eligible inhabitants through their family origin and birthplace.

Under the main provision, a person qualifies if:

• The person is an inhabitant of the Laccadive, Minicoy or Aminidivi Islands.
• The applicant was born in these islands.
• Both the applicant's parents were also born in these islands.

Special Rule for Children Born on the Indian Mainland

The eligibility provision was expanded through the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) (Union Territories) Order (Amendment) Act, 2008, which received Presidential assent on 7 January 2009.

Under this amendment, a child born to inhabitants of Lakshadweep at another place on the Indian mainland can be treated as an inhabitant born in the islands if the child settles permanently in Lakshadweep.

The expression "settle permanently" has the meaning assigned to it under Clause 3(1)(d) of the Lakshadweep Panchayats Regulation, 1994. Therefore, mainland-born applicants whose parents meet the island-origin condition should not assume that they are automatically ineligible. Their circumstances must be examined under this specific provision.

You can read the original amendment in the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) (Union Territories) Order (Amendment) Act, 2008 and check the updated wording in the Ministry of Tribal Affairs' State/UT-wise list of Scheduled Tribes.

Scheduled Tribe Status in Lakshadweep: What Makes It Different?

Lakshadweep follows a distinctive constitutional arrangement for recognising its indigenous population as Scheduled Tribes. Instead of naming several individual tribes in the notification, the legal provision identifies inhabitants of the Laccadive, Minicoy and Aminidivi Islands who satisfy the specified birth and parentage conditions.

The notification applies throughout the Union Territory. It does not create separate island-wise ST lists for Kavaratti, Agatti, Amini, Andrott, Bitra, Chetlat, Kadmat, Kalpeni, Kiltan and Minicoy.

The traditional social groups of Lakshadweep include Koyas, Malmis and Melacheris, among others. These names are part of the islands' social and cultural history. However, the legal ST notification does not require applicants to establish membership in one of these groups. The applicable constitutional conditions determine eligibility.

The official profile published by the Chief Electoral Officer, Lakshadweep also describes the entire indigenous population as Scheduled Tribes and confirms that the Union Territory has no Scheduled Caste communities notified under the applicable constitutional list.

Documents Required for Lakshadweep ST Certificate

The e-District Lakshadweep portal has published a specific document checklist for online ST Certificate applications. It identifies three mandatory document requirements.

• Applicant's Birth Certificate: This is mandatory and establishes the applicant's birthplace.
• Proof of Father's ST Status: Submit an ST Certificate, Birth Certificate or Affidavit of the father.
• Proof of Mother's ST Status: Submit an ST Certificate, Birth Certificate or Affidavit of the mother.

The portal accepts any one of the three listed documents as proof of a parent's ST status. Applicants should therefore arrange the required proof for both parents before starting the online application.

Document Upload Requirements

The e-District FAQ also specifies the technical conditions for uploading supporting documents:

• Scan the documents and save them in PDF format.
• Keep each uploaded document below 500 KB.
• Make sure the scanned information is clear and readable.

Other documents may be requested if the applicant's circumstances require additional verification. For the latest requirements, refer to the official ST Certificate FAQ before submitting the application.

How to Apply for an ST Certificate in Lakshadweep Online

The Lakshadweep Administration provides the ST Certificate service through its online citizen-service system. Follow these steps to submit your application:

1. Visit the e-District Lakshadweep portal.
2. Open the ST Certificate service or use the online application link available on the portal.
3. Register as a citizen or log in using your existing account, as required by the system.
4. Open the ST Certificate application form and enter the applicant's personal details.
5. Provide the requested birthplace and family information.
6. In the Island field, select the island where you currently reside.
7. In the Native Island field, select your native island.
8. Upload the applicant's Birth Certificate and proof of ST status of both parents. Follow the PDF format and file-size requirements.
9. Check all entries and uploaded documents before submitting the application.
10. Submit the form and save the acknowledgement slip containing your application reference number.

According to the official e-District FAQ, the application is forwarded to the applicant's native island for processing. Therefore, select the Resident Island and Native Island carefully while completing the form.

You can also access the service through the ServicePlus portal. The Revenue Department's official website lists the ST Certificate among the services available through this government portal.

How to Apply Offline for an ST Certificate

Applicants who need assistance with the online process can contact the Revenue Department office in their island's administrative area. The Revenue Department is responsible for issuing statutory certificates and providing revenue-related citizen services across Lakshadweep.

1. Visit or contact the local Revenue Sub-Division office on your island.
2. Ask the concerned official about the offline application procedure for an ST Certificate.
3. Keep the applicant's Birth Certificate and proof of ST status of both parents ready.
4. Provide any additional documents requested by the Revenue Department for verification.
5. Follow the instructions given by the office regarding submission and acknowledgement of the application.
6. Keep the application reference or acknowledgement details safe for future follow-up.

The Revenue Department is headquartered at Kavaratti and is headed by the Additional District Magistrate (ADM). Deputy Collectors and Block Development Officers (BDOs) are posted in the Revenue Sub-Divisions of the islands. Applicants can contact their local office to confirm where their application should be submitted.

For administrative details, visit the Revenue Department, Lakshadweep page.

How Long Does It Take to Get an ST Certificate in Lakshadweep?

The e-District Lakshadweep portal lists the normal service period for an ST Certificate as 7 days (one week).

This period is also confirmed in the portal's ST Certificate FAQ. Applicants should retain their acknowledgement slip because the application reference number is required to check the progress of the request.

You can verify the service details on the official ST Certificate service information page.

How to Check Lakshadweep ST Certificate Application Status

The e-District portal allows applicants to track their ST Certificate applications online. You need the application reference number mentioned on the acknowledgement slip and the application submission date.

1. Open the e-District Lakshadweep portal.
2. Go to the application status section.
3. Select the option to track application status.
4. Enter your application reference number.
5. Provide the application submission date wherever requested.
6. Submit the details to view the current status.

The official FAQ states that applicants do not receive an automatic notification when the certificate is ready. You must check the application status yourself using the reference number provided on the acknowledgement slip.

How to Download the Issued ST Certificate

Once the application status changes to Delivered, you can download the certificate through the e-District portal.

1. Open the application status section.
2. Select View Submitted Application.
3. Find the application marked as Delivered.
4. Click on the Delivered status to open the available details.
5. Select the ST Certificate option to download the issued document.

These download instructions are provided in the Lakshadweep e-District ST Certificate FAQ.

Revenue Department Contact Details

If you have questions about eligibility, supporting documents, application submission or verification, contact the Revenue Department of the Lakshadweep Administration.

• Department: Revenue Department, Lakshadweep Administration
• Head Office: Revenue Bhavan, Kavaratti, Lakshadweep – 682555
• Phone: 04896-262384, 04896-263440
• Email: [email protected]

The department is headed by the Additional District Magistrate at Kavaratti. Deputy Collectors and BDOs serve in the Revenue Sub-Divisions. For island-level assistance, contact the local administrative office.

For updated contact information, visit the Revenue Department's official contact page.

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