Andaman & Nicobar ST Certificate: Eligibility, Documents & Online Apply

An ST (Scheduled Tribe) Certificate in Andaman and Nicobar Islands is an official document issued by the Revenue Department of the Union Territory Administration. It establishes that the holder belongs to a tribal community notified as a Scheduled Tribe for Andaman and Nicobar Islands under Article 342 of the Constitution of India.

The Constitution (Andaman and Nicobar Islands) Scheduled Tribes Order, 1959, notified six Scheduled Tribe entries for this Union Territory. These include Andamanese (with several historically listed group names), Jarawas, Nicobarese, Onges, Sentinelese and Shom Pens. A person belonging to a notified community and satisfying the applicable residence and verification requirements can apply for the certificate.

The Concerned Tehsildar is the designated officer for processing ST Certificate applications. Residents can apply online through the Andaman and Nicobar e-District portal or use the available Common Service Centre (CSC), e-Corner or Tehsildar office facilities. The certificate helps eligible applicants establish their ST status when claiming applicable reservation benefits, scholarships and government welfare assistance.

Scheduled Tribe Communities Notified for Andaman and Nicobar Islands

The Constitution (Andaman and Nicobar Islands) Scheduled Tribes Order, 1959 (C.O. 58), issued under Article 342, contains six entries in its Schedule. The notified entries are:

• Andamanese: The notification also mentions historically recorded group names such as Chariar, Chari, Kora, Tabo, Bo, Yere, Kede, Bea, Balawa, Bojigiyab, Juwai and Kol.
• Jarawas: A Scheduled Tribe community of the Andaman group of islands.
• Nicobarese: The notified tribal community of the Nicobar group of islands.
• Onges: A Scheduled Tribe community associated with Little Andaman.
• Sentinelese: An indigenous community associated with North Sentinel Island.
• Shom Pens: A Scheduled Tribe community of Great Nicobar Island.

These are the six entries recognised under the constitutional ST notification. The official legal list uses the term "Andamanese" for the first entry, so applicants should refer to the notified terminology rather than treating every historical group name as a separate entry.

You can read the complete notification in the Constitution (Andaman and Nicobar Islands) Scheduled Tribes Order, 1959. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs' updated Scheduled Tribe list also provides the notified names.

Which Scheduled Tribe Communities Are Recognised as PVTGs?

Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) form a specially identified category among India's Scheduled Tribe communities. The Government of India provides focused development and welfare support to these communities because of their specific social, economic and developmental vulnerabilities.

According to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs' state-wise PVTG list, five communities from Andaman and Nicobar Islands are recognised as PVTGs:

• Great Andamanese
• Jarawas
• Onges
• Sentinelese
• Shom Pens

Important distinction: Nicobarese are included in the Scheduled Tribe list for Andaman and Nicobar Islands, but they do not appear in the Ministry's notified PVTG list for this Union Territory. Therefore, it is incorrect to say that all six notified ST communities are PVTGs.

For confirmation, refer to the official state-wise list of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups published by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.

Eligibility for ST Certificate in Andaman and Nicobar Islands

The applicant must establish membership in one of the communities included in the constitutional Scheduled Tribe notification for Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The Revenue Department verifies the applicant's identity, family details and supporting documents before issuing the certificate.

The main eligibility requirements include:

• The applicant must be an Indian citizen.
• The applicant must belong to one of the six notified Scheduled Tribe entries applicable to Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• The applicant must provide documents establishing their tribal identity and family background.
• The applicant must provide the required residence and family identity documents for verification.
• The applicant must satisfy the applicable administrative requirements of the concerned Revenue Department office.

Applicants should not rely only on a general description of their community. The name and identity must match the community recognised under the applicable constitutional notification. The Tehsildar may seek additional evidence or recommendations to verify the claim.

Documents Required for ST Certificate in Andaman and Nicobar Islands

The Administration's e-Services information provides a document checklist for the ST Certificate. Applicants should arrange the following documents before starting the online application.

• Recent photograph of the applicant.
• Birth Certificate or School Transfer Certificate as age proof.
• Family Identity Card or Ration Card.
• Islander Card or ST Certificate of any family member, wherever available.
• Recommendation from the Head of Tuhet, Village Headman or Tribal Council.
• Death Certificates of both parents, if both parents are deceased.

The recommendation from the concerned traditional or local authority is an important part of the published supporting-document requirements. Applicants should arrange it before submitting their application.

The Administration may ask for additional documents depending on the applicant's family circumstances and the verification required. Keep the original documents available for inspection by the concerned Tehsildar.

Check the official Andaman and Nicobar e-Services information for the ST Certificate entry and its supporting documents.

How to Apply for ST Certificate in Andaman and Nicobar Islands Online

The Andaman and Nicobar Administration provides an online facility for submitting applications through its e-District portal. Applicants can register, upload supporting documents and track the application electronically.

1. Open the official e-District portal.
2. If you are a new user, select the registration option and create your citizen account. Existing users can log in with their registered credentials.
3. After logging in, open the Revenue Department service section.
4. Find the service named Schedule Tribe Certificate.
5. Open the application form and enter the applicant's personal, family and address details.
6. Provide the information requested about the applicant's tribal community.
7. Upload the photograph, age proof, Family Identity Card and other supporting documents.
8. Attach the required recommendation from the Head of Tuhet, Village Headman or Tribal Council.
9. Review the form and uploaded documents carefully before submitting the application.
10. Submit the application and save the acknowledgement or application reference number for future use.

The e-District system provides facilities for online application submission, document-related communication, application tracking and downloading approved electronic certificates.

You can also find the ST Certificate service through the Andaman and Nicobar Administration's online services directory. It lists the Revenue Department services available through the e-District portal.

Where to Get Help With Online Application

If you face difficulty registering, uploading documents or submitting the application, you can visit a nearby Common Service Centre (CSC), e-Corner or the concerned Tehsildar office.

The Administration's e-District portal is also the appropriate place to check the current registration and application links. Use the official portal rather than submitting personal documents through unofficial websites or agents.

How to Apply Offline at the Tehsildar Office

Applicants who cannot complete the online process can contact the Tehsildar office responsible for their area. The concerned Tehsildar handles the ST Certificate service and verifies the documents submitted with the application.

1. Visit the Tehsildar office responsible for your area or district.
2. Ask for the procedure and prescribed application form for an ST Certificate.
3. Fill in the applicant's personal and family details correctly.
4. Attach the Birth Certificate or School Transfer Certificate, Family Identity Card and other supporting documents.
5. Submit the recommendation from the Head of Tuhet, Village Headman or Tribal Council, as required.
6. Provide any additional documents requested by the office for verification.
7. Submit the application and collect the acknowledgement or reference details.
8. Follow up with the Tehsildar office or track the application online until the certificate is issued.

For offline submission, carry the original documents along with the required photocopies. The concerned office may verify the information before approving the certificate.

Tehsildar Office Locations by District

Andaman and Nicobar Islands has three districts: South Andaman, North and Middle Andaman, and Nicobar. Applicants should approach the Tehsildar office responsible for their residential area rather than submitting the application to an unrelated district office.

South Andaman District

• Port Blair
• Ferrargunj
• Little Andaman

Official district website: South Andaman District Administration.

North and Middle Andaman District

• Mayabunder
• Diglipur
• Rangat

Official district website: North and Middle Andaman District Administration.

Nicobar District

• Car Nicobar
• Nancowry
• Great Nicobar

Official district website: Nicobar District Administration.

The district websites provide local administration information and service details. Confirm the responsible Tehsildar office before visiting, as the appropriate office depends on your area of residence.

Processing Time and Validity of ST Certificate

The processing period published for the ST Certificate is not identical across every available government record. The ServicePlus service description lists a delivery period of 5 days, excluding government holidays. However, the published Citizen Charter for the Deputy Commissioner, Nicobar, mentions a 10-day timeline for the ST Certificate service.

Because these records refer to different administrative service listings, applicants should check the timeline applicable to their district and the current application acknowledgement. Do not treat the five-day period as a confirmed uniform deadline for every district.

You can check the ServicePlus ST Certificate service details and the Administration's published Citizen Charter for the respective timelines.

Is the ST Certificate Valid for a Lifetime?

The constitutional notification identifies the Scheduled Tribe communities recognised for Andaman and Nicobar Islands. However, the online service details and Citizen Charter reviewed for this article do not clearly specify a separate expiry date or renewal period for the ST Certificate.

Applicants should follow the validity details printed on their issued certificate. If a recruiting authority, educational institution or scholarship portal asks for a recently issued certificate, confirm its requirement with that authority or the Revenue Department.

How to Track ST Certificate Application Status

After submitting the application through e-District, keep the acknowledgement or application reference number safe. You will need it to follow the progress of your request.

1. Visit the e-District Andaman and Nicobar portal.
2. Open the application tracking or status-check facility.
3. Enter the application reference number and other details requested by the portal.
4. Submit the information to view the latest application status.
5. If the department requests additional information or documents, follow the instructions shown in your account.

The Administration's e-District system supports online status tracking and email or SMS alerts regarding application progress. Applicants should also check their registered mobile number and email address for updates.

What to Do If Your ST Certificate Application Is Rejected?

If the Tehsildar rejects your application, first check the reason communicated by the department. A rejection may relate to missing documents, incomplete information, or an inability to verify the applicant's tribal identity.

• Read the rejection reason or deficiency communicated by the department.
• Arrange the missing documents or required recommendation, if applicable.
• Contact the concerned Tehsildar office for clarification.
• If you disagree with the decision, ask the office about the applicable appeal or grievance procedure.
• Keep your application number and all supporting records available when submitting a representation.

The published Nicobar District Citizen Charter identifies the concerned Sub-Divisional Office as the first appellate officer and the Deputy Commissioner, Nicobar District, as the second appellate officer for its ST Certificate service. Applicants in other districts should confirm the applicable appellate authority with their respective district administration.

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