Acceptance of caste/community certificates produced by Scheduled Caste candidates for all consequential benefits – Min. of Social Justice and Empowerement order dated 19.01.2026
No.1201 7/01/2020-SCD(R.L.Cell)
Government of India
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
Department of Social Justice and Empowerment
[Revision of Lists (of Scheduled Castes) Cell
Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi
Dated: 19.01.2026
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Acceptance of caste/community certificates produced by Scheduled Caste candidates.
The undersigned is directed to say that it has come to the notice of this Department that some authorities related to Central Government and State Governments are not accepting Scheduled Caste certificates issued by the State authorities to members of Scheduled Castes rather they insist social status certificate in different format, which is causing difficulties to members of Scheduled Castes in obtaining the due benefits.
2. Owing to difficulties faced by candidates belonging to SC/ST categories due to insistence by certain authorities to produce the Caste Certificate in their proper format, the Ministry of Welfare (Now social Justice and Empowerment), vide its O.M. No. 12025/18/94-SCD (R.L.Cell) dated 10.08.1994 (copy enclosed) had requested all the Ministries/ Departments to accept the Caste Certificate issued in the prescribed proforma only. The instructions contained in OM No.12025/18/94-SCD (R.L.Cell) dated 10.08.1994 were again reiterated to all the Central Ministries and Departments and State Governments and U.T. Administrations, vide this Ministry’s OM No.1201 7/01/2020 dated 18.03.2020 (copy enclosed).
3. In view of the above, it is once again reiterated that the Scheduled Caste certificate issued by all designated authorities in the prescribed format (enclosure to O.M. dated 10.08.1994) should be accepted for all consequential benefits to the SC candidates. Further, all Ministries’ Departments are again requested to bring the contents of this O.M. to the notice of all the relevant authorities under their control.
4. This issues with the approval of the Competent Authority.
Digitally signed by
RAJEEV KUMAR
Under Secretary to the Government of India
e-mail: rajeev.swati[@]nic.in
Phone: 011-23385171
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