Caste Certificate in Karnataka — How to Apply Online (2026)

A Caste Certificate (Jati Praman Patra) is an official document issued by the Revenue Department of Karnataka that certifies an individual's caste. It is essential for availing government benefits, reservations in education and employment, and eligibility for various Karnataka government schemes.

Karnataka offers two official portals for applying: Seva Sindhu and Nadakacheri. Both are run by the Government of Karnataka and issue digitally verifiable certificates.

What is a Caste Certificate?

A Caste Certificate is a government-issued document that officially records your caste or community under the Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), or Other Backward Classes (OBC) categories as notified by the Government of Karnataka.

Why Do You Need It?

• Education: Reserved seats in colleges, scholarships like the Karnataka Vidyasiri Scholarship
• Government Jobs: Reservation in state and central government recruitment, including exams like Karnataka TET and Karnataka Police Constable Exam
• Welfare Schemes: Eligibility for schemes like Bhagyalakshmi, Gruha Lakshmi, Anna Bhagya, and Yuva Nidhi
• Ration Card: Required when applying for a ration card in Karnataka
• Land Records: May be needed for certain Bhoomi land records services

Who is Eligible?

Any resident of Karnataka who belongs to a caste or community listed under the SC, ST, or OBC categories as notified by the Government of Karnataka can apply.

Basic Eligibility:

1. Must be a resident of Karnataka
2. Must belong to a caste/community listed in the official Karnataka SC/ST/OBC notification
3. Must have address proof in Karnataka (ration card, voter ID, Aadhaar, etc.)
4. Applicants of any age can apply (minors through parents/guardians)

Documents Required

Mandatory Documents

1. Address Proof — Aadhaar card, voter ID (EPIC), utility bill, or passport
2. Identity Proof — Aadhaar card, voter ID, PAN card, or driving licence
3. Ration Card — Family ration card showing applicant's name
4. School Certificate — TC/marks card showing caste (if applicant has studied)
5. Old Caste Certificate — If previously issued to the applicant or family member

Supporting Documents (if primary documents are unavailable)

6. Relatives' Caste Certificate — Caste certificate of a close relative (father, brother, uncle, etc.)
7. Genealogical Tree — Family tree document if no other caste proof is available
8. Self-Declaration — Declaration by applicant before Revenue Inspector (for urban applicants)

Additional Documents

9. Passport-size photograph of the applicant
10. Mobile number linked to Aadhaar (for OTP verification in online applications)

Tip: Having your parent's or sibling's caste certificate makes the process much faster. If no family member has one, you'll need to provide a genealogical tree and self-declaration.

How to Apply Online via Seva Sindhu

Portal: sevasindhu.karnataka.gov.in

Step-by-Step Process

1. Visit the Seva Sindhu portal at https://sevasindhu.karnataka.gov.in
2. Register/Login — Create an account using your mobile number or log in if you already have one
3. Select "Caste Certificate" — Navigate to Revenue Department services or search for "Caste Certificate" in the services list
4. Fill the application form — Enter personal details: name, father's name, mother's name, date of birth, address, caste/sub-caste, and district/taluk
5. Upload documents — Scan and upload all required documents (address proof, ID proof, ration card, school certificate, etc.)
6. Pay the application fee — Pay ₹25 (application fee) + ₹30 (service charge) online via net banking, debit/credit card, or UPI
7. Submit the application — Review all details and submit
8. Note down the Application ID — Save the reference number for tracking
9. Field verification — The Revenue Inspector (RI) or Village Accountant (VA) will conduct an enquiry and verify your documents
10. Download certificate — Once approved, download the digitally signed caste certificate from the portal or Nadakacheri

How to Apply Online via Nadakacheri

Portal: nadakacheri.karnataka.gov.in

1. Visit https://nadakacheri.karnataka.gov.in
2. Click on "Online Application" or navigate to AJSK services
3. Login with Aadhaar — Authenticate using Aadhaar-based OTP
4. Select "Caste Certificate" from the list of certificates
5. Fill in all required details — Personal information, caste details, address, and taluk
6. Upload supporting documents as listed above
7. Pay the fee online
8. Submit and save the application reference number
9. Track status at https://ajsk.karnataka.gov.in/NK_Status

How to Apply Offline

If you prefer the offline route, visit your nearest Atal Ji Janasnehi Kendra (AJSK) or Nada Kacheri (Taluk Office):

1. Visit your Taluk Office or nearest AJSK/Bangalore One/Gram One centre
2. Collect the application form for caste certificate
3. Fill the form with personal and caste details
4. Attach photocopies of all required documents (self-attested)
5. Submit the form along with the fee at the counter
6. Collect the acknowledgement receipt with application number
7. Wait for field enquiry by Revenue Inspector
8. Collect the certificate from the Tahsildar office after approval

Fees

Note: Payment can be made via net banking, debit/credit card, UPI, or cash (at AJSK centres).

Processing Time

The actual time depends on field verification by the Revenue Inspector. In practice, it may take 7–15 days if all documents are in order and the RI completes verification quickly.

How to Check Application Status

1. Visit https://nadakacheri.karnataka.gov.in or https://ajsk.karnataka.gov.in/NK_Status
2. Enter your Application Number or reference ID
3. View the current status — pending, under verification, approved, or rejected
4. Download the certificate if the status shows "Approved"

You can also check status on the Seva Sindhu portal by logging into your account.

How to Download & Verify Caste Certificate

• Download: Log in to Seva Sindhu or Nadakacheri and download the digitally signed PDF
• Verify: Employers and institutions can verify the certificate authenticity at https://nadakacheri.karnataka.gov.in using the certificate number

Important Tips

1. Keep documents ready before starting — Incomplete applications get rejected or delayed
2. Use your parent's caste certificate as supporting proof for faster processing
3. Apply well in advance — Don't wait for the last date of college admissions or job applications; apply at least 1–2 months early
4. Save your Application ID — You'll need it to track status and download the certificate
5. Ensure Aadhaar-linked mobile is active for OTP-based online applications

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I apply for a caste certificate online in Karnataka?

Yes. You can apply online through the Seva Sindhu portal (sevasindhu.karnataka.gov.in) or the Nadakacheri portal (nadakacheri.karnataka.gov.in). Both are official Government of Karnataka portals.

2. What is the fee for a caste certificate in Karnataka?

The application fee is ₹25 plus a service charge of ₹30 (online) or ₹5 (over the counter at AJSK centres). The total online cost is ₹55.

3. How long does it take to get a caste certificate in Karnataka?

The official processing time is 21 working days. However, if your documents are complete and field verification is done quickly, you may receive it within 7–15 days.

4. What documents are needed for a caste certificate in Karnataka?

You need address proof (Aadhaar/voter ID), identity proof, ration card, school certificate showing caste, and a parent's or relative's caste certificate if available. See the full list in the Documents Required section above.

5. Can I get an OBC certificate through Seva Sindhu?

Yes. Seva Sindhu issues caste certificates for all categories — SC, ST, and OBC — as notified by the Government of Karnataka.

6. Is the online caste certificate valid for central government jobs?

The caste certificate issued by the Tahsildar through Seva Sindhu/Nadakacheri is valid for state-level purposes. For central government jobs and UPSC, you may need to get it verified or obtain a separate certificate from the District Magistrate/Deputy Commissioner in the prescribed central government format.

7. What if my application is rejected?

If your application is rejected, you can re-apply with the correct documents. Common reasons for rejection include incomplete documents, mismatch in caste name, or failure in field verification. Contact your Taluk office for specific reasons.

8. Can NRIs or people living outside Karnataka apply?

The caste certificate is issued based on your permanent address in Karnataka. If your family's permanent address is in Karnataka and you have valid address proof, you can apply. However, field verification will be conducted at your Karnataka address.

Related Guides

• Karnataka Government Schemes & Services — Complete Guide
• Shakti Scheme — Free Bus Travel for Women in Karnataka
• Karnataka Vidyasiri Scholarship
• Karnataka Bhagyalakshmi Scheme
• Ration Card Apply Online — Karnataka
• Bhoomi Land Records Karnataka

This guide is published by CitizenNest for informational purposes only. We are not affiliated with the Government of Karnataka. For the latest and most accurate information, always refer to the official portals: sevasindhu.karnataka.gov.in and nadakacheri.karnataka.gov.in.