Character Certificate & Police Verification (Charitra Praman Patra / PCC)

State CCTNS police verification portal, Gazetted Officer / school format, government job joining & PDF download

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📝 Reviewed by: India Docs Portal Editorial Team📅 Last updated: August 28, 2026Sources: Official .gov.in portals

Quick Answer

💡 A Character Certificate (Charitra Praman Patra / Police Clearance) is an official document certifying that an individual maintains good moral conduct and has no adverse criminal history. It is issued by District Police Authorities via state CCTNS portals (valid for 6 months), School/College Principals, or Gazetted Officers for government job joining, defence recruitment, and licensing.

Quick Information

⏱️ Processing Time

Police CCTNS Verification: 10–15 working days | School / Gazetted Officer Certificate: Same day

💵 Fees

Police CCTNS Online Fee: ₹50 (varies by state police department) | School/College: Free or ₹10–₹50

✅ Eligibility

Any Indian resident or citizen with a clean criminal record (no pending non-bailable warrants or criminal charges)

Who Needs This Document?

Candidates selected for Central/State Government jobs (UPSC, SSC, Railways, State PSCs), armed forces recruitment, defense contracts/tenders, security agency licences, tenant verification, and international visa clearances

Required Documents

  • Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, or Passport of the applicant
  • Proof of Present Address (Electricity Bill, Ration Card, or Rent Agreement)
  • Passport-size color photograph
  • Official Joining / Appointment Letter (if applying specifically for government employment)
  • Names and contact details of two respectable local references/neighbors residing in the same police station area

How to Apply for Character Certificate & Police Verification (Charitra Praman Patra / PCC)

1

Select Character Certificate Type

Determine if you need: 1) Police Character Verification Certificate (from District Police/CCTNS for jobs/contracts), 2) Institutional Conduct Certificate (from School/College Principal), or 3) Gazetted Officer Proforma.

2

Register on State Police CCTNS Citizen Portal

Visit digitalpolice.gov.in or your state police citizen services portal / mobile app (e.g., UP Cop App, Delhi Police Citizen Portal, MahaPolice, Rajasthan Police Portal).

3

Fill Personal & Residential Details

Enter your permanent and current residential addresses, duration of stay, purpose of verification, and contact info of two local references.

4

Pay Government Verification Fee Online

Pay the statutory fee of ₹50 via Net Banking, Debit Card, or UPI and note down the service request acknowledgment number.

5

Local Police Station Field Inquiry

The application is automatically routed to your local Station House Officer (SHO). A beat constable visits your address or calls you with original IDs to verify criminal record checks.

6

Download Digitally Signed Certificate

Once the Superintendent of Police (SP) / Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) approves the report, download the official digitally signed, QR-coded Police Character Certificate PDF.

📝 How to Update Character Certificate & Police Verification (Charitra Praman Patra / PCC)

How to renew an expired character certificate or update residential address:

1

Apply for Fresh Police Verification

Character certificates cannot be amended after generation; you must submit a fresh application on your state CCTNS portal.

2

Provide Updated Address Proof

Upload your new address proof and two local references from the new locality.

3

Complete Beat Verification

Cooperate with the local police constable during the verification visit.

4

Download Renewed Certificate

Receive the freshly dated certificate carrying a new 6-month validity window.

⬇️ How to Download Character Certificate & Police Verification (Charitra Praman Patra / PCC)

Download an official digitally signed Character Certificate PDF online:

1

Log In to State Police Portal

Visit digitalpolice.gov.in or your state police app (e.g., UP Cop, Delhi Police Portal).

2

Go to 'Download Issued Certificates'

Enter your Service Request Number (SRN) and registered mobile number.

3

Authenticate with OTP

Verify the OTP sent to your registered mobile.

4

Download Signed PDF

Save and print the color certificate featuring the digital signature and official seal of the SP/DCP office.

🔍 How to Check Character Certificate & Police Verification (Charitra Praman Patra / PCC) Application Status

Track your police character verification status online:

1

Open State Police Citizen Services

Go to your state police website and click 'View Application Status'.

2

Enter Application / Challan ID

Input the acknowledgment reference number.

3

View Real-Time Progress

Track whether your file is pending with the local police station (Thana), Local Intelligence Unit (LIU), or signed by the SP office.

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Providing references who do not reside within your local police station jurisdiction
  • Concealing minor FIRs or past police disputes (triggers immediate rejection and adverse character report)
  • Submitting an expired character certificate (most government departments mandate a certificate issued within the last 6 months)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the official validity period of a Police Character Certificate?

A Police Character Verification Certificate is typically valid for 6 months from the date of issuance across most government recruiting bodies (SSC, UPSC, State PSCs), defense establishments, and private corporations.

Who is eligible to sign a Gazetted Officer Character Certificate?

A Gazetted Officer Character Certificate (frequently required in Annexure formats for government joining) can be signed by: 1) Group 'A' or Group 'B' Central/State Government Officers, 2) District Magistrates / Sub-Divisional Magistrates / Tehsildars, 3) Principals and Headmasters of Government Higher Secondary Schools and Colleges, 4) Block Development Officers (BDOs), and 5) Medical Officers of Government Civil Hospitals.

How to track police verification status online?

Log into your state police citizen portal (e.g., UP Cop or Delhi Police portal), select 'Citizen Services > Character Certificate Status', enter your Application Reference ID and mobile number to see if your file is at the Beat Officer, SHO, or SP office level.

Is a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) different from a Domestic Character Certificate?

Yes. A Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) for emigration / overseas employment is issued through the Passport Seva Kendra (passportindia.gov.in) involving both local police and Regional Passport Office clearance, whereas a domestic Character Certificate is issued directly by the District Police / CCTNS portal.

Can I get a Character Certificate from my school or college after graduating?

Yes. The administrative office of your last attended school, polytechnic, or university maintains your permanent student ledger and can issue an institutional Conduct & Character Certificate upon submitting an application with your Class 10/12 roll number.

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