What is a Caste Certificate Affidavit?
A caste certificate affidavit (jaati praman shapat patra) is a legally sworn declaration in which a person declares their caste and category (SC / ST / OBC / General).
It is commonly required as part of the caste certificate application process. When you apply for a caste certificate at the Tehsil / SDM office or through the state e-District portal, you often need to submit a notarized caste affidavit along with supporting documents to establish your claim.
Note: A caste affidavit is a self-declaration sworn before a Notary Public. It is different from a Caste Certificate, which is issued by the competent government authority (Tehsildar / SDM) after verification.
When is a Caste Certificate Affidavit Required?
A caste certificate affidavit is commonly required for the following purposes:
- Caste Certificate application — At Tehsil / SDM / e-District portal
- SC/ST/OBC scholarships — NSP, Post-Matric, Pre-Matric, state-level schemes
- Government job applications — For reserved category candidates
- Educational admissions — Under reserved category seats in colleges and universities
- Reservation benefits — In admissions and employment
- EWS certificate support — Where caste and income proofs are required
- Fee concessions — In schools, colleges, and competitive exams
- Government welfare schemes — Where caste is a criterion
- Legal proceedings — Where caste declaration is required
- Property matters — In specific cases involving caste-based reservations
Documents Required for Caste Certificate Affidavit
Keep the following documents ready before you begin:
- Aadhaar card
- Father's caste certificate (if available)
- Previous caste certificate (if available)
- School leaving certificate / TC
- 10th / 12th marksheet
- Address proof
- Passport-size photographs (2 copies)
- Two witnesses with valid ID proof
- Non-judicial stamp paper (₹10 / ₹20 / ₹50 / ₹100)
- Ration card (if available)
Caste Certificate Affidavit Format — What It Contains
A standard caste certificate affidavit format typically includes the following information:
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Deponent Name | Full legal name |
| Father's / Husband's Name | Relation and name |
| Address | Complete residential address with PIN |
| Date of Birth | As per school certificate / Aadhaar |
| Caste | Specific caste name (e.g., Yadav, Chamar, Teli) |
| Category | SC / ST / OBC / General |
| Sub-caste | Sub-caste name (if applicable) |
| Declaration | Sworn statement that the caste claim is true |
| Place & Date | Where and when the affidavit is signed |
| Signature | Deponent + two witnesses |
| Notary Verification | Notary stamp, registration number & seal |
How to Make a Caste Certificate Affidavit — Step by Step
- Fill the online form on AffidavitFormat.com with your name, father's name, caste, category (SC/ST/OBC), and other personal details.
- Choose your language — Hindi, English, or bilingual (Dwibhashi).
- Select the correct stamp paper value for your state — ₹10, ₹20, ₹50, or ₹100 non-judicial stamp paper.
- Click Preview to review the affidavit. Check spellings of caste and category carefully.
- Print the affidavit on the selected stamp paper. If you don't have stamp paper, use e-stamp paper from the SHCIL portal.
- Sign before a Notary Public along with two witnesses. The notary will verify identity and apply their seal.
- Attach supporting documents — father's caste certificate, school certificate, marksheets, etc.
- Submit to authority — Tehsil office, e-District portal, scholarship portal, or government department.
Caste Categories in India — Quick Reference
Understanding categories helps you fill the affidavit correctly:
| Category | Full Form | Benefit Type |
|---|---|---|
| SC | Scheduled Caste | Reservation, scholarship, fee concession |
| ST | Scheduled Tribe | Reservation, scholarship, fee concession |
| OBC | Other Backward Class | Reservation (27% central), scholarship |
| EBC | Economically Backward Class | State-specific benefits |
| DNT | Denotified Nomadic Tribe | Special schemes |
| EWS | Economically Weaker Section | 10% reservation (income-based) |
| General | Unreserved Category | No caste-based reservation |
Tip: Mention the exact caste name as it appears in your father's caste certificate or the central/state OBC/SC/ST list. Small spelling variations can cause delays.
Important Points to Remember
- The caste name must be accurate — cross-check with your father's certificate or school records.
- The category (SC/ST/OBC) should match the official central or state list.
- Use the correct stamp paper value as per your state's rules.
- Attach supporting documents — father's caste certificate, school leaving certificate — to strengthen your case.
- Sign only in front of the Notary with two witnesses present.
- Keep multiple notarized copies for future use.
- A false caste affidavit can attract serious legal consequences, including cancellation of certificate, job, or admission.
Legal Tip: If your father's caste certificate is not available, use a school leaving certificate or a certificate from a close relative (in the same caste) as supporting proof. The Tehsildar may verify through a field enquiry.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
A caste certificate affidavit is a sworn legal declaration in which a person declares their caste and category (SC/ST/OBC/General). It is commonly required for caste certificate applications, scholarships, government jobs, and educational admissions.
A caste certificate affidavit is required for applying for a caste certificate, SC/ST/OBC scholarships, reservation benefits in government jobs, educational admissions under reserved categories, and various government welfare schemes.
Yes. A caste certificate affidavit is legally valid in India when it is printed on non-judicial stamp paper, signed by the deponent, witnessed by two witnesses, and notarized by a licensed Notary Public.
You need Aadhaar card, previous caste certificate (if available), father's caste certificate (if available), school leaving certificate, address proof, two passport-size photos, two witnesses with ID proof, and non-judicial stamp paper.
A caste certificate is issued by a government authority (Tehsildar/SDM) after verification, while a caste affidavit is a self-declaration sworn before a Notary Public. The affidavit is usually submitted as part of the caste certificate application.
The affidavit format is free on AffidavitFormat.com. You only pay for the non-judicial stamp paper (₹10 to ₹100) and notary charges (usually ₹50 to ₹200).
Yes. A notarized caste affidavit is commonly accepted as preliminary proof for SC/ST/OBC scholarships like NSP, Post-Matric, Pre-Matric, and state-level schemes, especially when the caste certificate is pending.
A caste affidavit alone is usually not sufficient for government jobs. You need an official caste certificate issued by the competent authority. However, the affidavit is often used during the application stage or for preliminary verification.
A caste certificate affidavit format includes the deponent's details (name, father's name, address, DOB), caste name, category (SC/ST/OBC), declaration that the person belongs to that caste, place, date, signature, witness signatures, and notary verification.
Yes. AffidavitFormat.com provides the caste certificate affidavit in Hindi, English, and bilingual (Dwibhashi) formats, which you can print directly from your browser.
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