A Maharashtra caste certificate is an official certificate issued by the competent Revenue authority to a person claiming membership of a Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, De-notified Tribe (Vimukta Jati), Nomadic Tribe, Other Backward Class or Special Backward Category, subject to the applicable law, notified caste lists and documentary verification.
Current law for Maharashtra caste certificates
The principal legislation is the Maharashtra Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, De-notified Tribes (Vimukta Jatis), Nomadic Tribes, Other Backward Classes and Special Backward Category (Regulation of Issuance and Verification of) Caste Certificate Act, 2000 (Maharashtra Act XXIII of 2001).
Section 3 provides for an application for a caste certificate. Section 4 deals with issuance by the competent authority. Section 5 provides an appeal mechanism. Section 6 provides for verification by a Scrutiny Committee, while Sections 7 to 14 contain provisions dealing with false certificates, consequences and offences.
How to apply for Maharashtra Caste Certificate
The Maharashtra Government's citizen-service system lists Caste Certificate under the Revenue Department. Depending on current portal configuration, district and service integration, the application may be routed through Aaple Sarkar or the relevant departmental workflow displayed by the portal.
- Visit the official Aaple Sarkar portal.
- Create a citizen account if you are not already registered, and complete the required OTP/profile verification.
- Log in and select the Revenue Department.
- Select Caste Certificate.
- Read the current service instructions and document checklist displayed for your application.
- Fill the application carefully, including caste/community, family and place-of-origin particulars.
- Upload the required identity, address, caste and ancestral documentary evidence.
- Complete the declaration/affidavit requirements shown for the applicable category.
- Submit the application and preserve the acknowledgement/Application ID for tracking.
Documents commonly required
The exact checklist can vary depending on the applicant's category and available historical records. The official Maharashtra service checklist includes identity and address documents and supporting evidence relating to caste, family lineage and the applicant's or ancestors' original village/town.
| Document group | Examples commonly requested |
|---|---|
| Identity / address | Aadhaar, voter ID, ration card, passport, driving licence, electricity/water bill or other accepted proof shown by the portal. |
| Caste evidence | Earlier caste certificate of applicant/father/relative, school records, birth register extract, village/revenue records or other historical records mentioning caste/community. |
| Family / ancestral evidence | School admission register extracts of applicant, father or grandfather; service-book extracts; birth/death records; documents showing original village/town or ordinary residence. |
| Validity evidence, if available | Caste Validity Certificate of father or blood relative issued by a competent Scrutiny Committee. |
| Declarations / affidavits | Applicable affidavit or declaration forms prescribed for the category and service. |
Service time limit and appellate authorities
The current Aaple Sarkar citizen-services listing shows the following service structure for Caste Certificate:
| Item | Current portal information |
|---|---|
| Service time limit | 45 days |
| Designated Officer | Sub-Divisional Officer / Deputy Collector |
| First Appellate Officer | Additional Collector |
| Second Appellate Officer | Collector |
The Maharashtra Right to Public Services framework provides a right to seek departmental appellate remedies when a notified public service is delayed or wrongfully rejected. Portal information should be checked at the time of application because service integration and displayed timelines can be updated.
Track application and verify authenticated certificate
Aaple Sarkar provides a Track Your Application facility. Enter the Application ID generated when the application was filed to check the current status.
Once a digitally authenticated certificate is issued, the portal also provides a Verify Your Authenticated Certificate facility. The current verification interface uses the certificate's 18-digit barcode.
For portal-related assistance, the Aaple Sarkar 24X 7 Citizen Call Center is currently listed as 1800 120 8040 (toll-free).
Caste Certificate vs Caste Validity Certificate
A caste certificate does not by itself amount to statutory caste validity. Where a validity certificate is required for education, public employment, election or another statutory purpose, the holder may have to apply to the competent Caste Certificate Scrutiny Committee.
The Government of Maharashtra's Caste Certificate Verification Information System (CCVIS), operated through Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Research and Training Institute (BARTI), publishes the governing Act, Rules, Government Resolutions, notifications and validity-related information.
Appeal under the Caste Certificate Act
Section 5 of the 2000 Act provides a statutory appeal against an order rejecting an application for a caste certificate. Separately, the Maharashtra Right to Public Services mechanism may apply to delay or wrongful rejection of the notified public service. The correct remedy depends on the nature of the grievance.
False caste certificates and cancellation
The Act contains specific provisions for confiscation and cancellation of a false caste certificate, withdrawal of benefits secured on its basis, offences and penalties. Applicants should therefore ensure that the caste claim and supporting genealogy/historical records are accurate and genuine.