Article 342 Constitution Order 1950, 7.5% reservation, lifetime validity, e-District portal & central format download
Visit Official Portal →💡 An ST (Scheduled Tribe) Certificate is an official statutory identity document issued by the Revenue Authority (Tehsildar / SDO / Sub-Divisional Magistrate) under Article 342 of the Constitution of India and the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order 1950 granting 7.5% reservation in government employment, educational institutions (IITs, NITs, AIIMS, UPSC), and tribal welfare schemes. It has lifetime validity.
15–30 working days (post-field inquiry by Revenue Patwari and Tribal Welfare Inspector)
100% Free (nominal ₹10–₹30 service charge on state e-District citizen portals)
Applicants whose tribal community is specifically notified in the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order 1950 for their home state/UT and who possess genealogical records proving ancestral residence in scheduled tribal areas
Indigenous citizens belonging to Scheduled Tribe communities notified under Article 342 of the Constitution seeking 7.5% reservation in Central/State Government jobs (UPSC, SSC, Railways, State PSCs), admissions in premier educational institutions (IITs, NITs, AIIMS, Central Universities), post-matric tribal scholarships, and Forest Rights Act benefits
Check tribal.nic.in to verify that your specific indigenous tribe name matches the gazette entry for your home state.
Log into your state's portal (e.g., e-District Assam, Aaple Sarkar Maharashtra, Jharsewa Jharkhand, MeeSeva, Odisha e-District) and select 'Application for Scheduled Tribe (ST) Certificate'.
Enter native village, traditional tribal clan, father's service/agricultural details, and pre-1950 domicile records.
Upload scanned copies of Aadhaar, father's ST certificate, land records, and the village council verification letter.
The local Revenue Inspector and Tribal Welfare Officer conduct a physical habitat and community enquiry in your ancestral village.
The Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) or Tehsildar digitally issues the ST Certificate. Download the QR-coded color PDF from the portal or fetch it directly into DigiLocker.
How to convert an old manual ST certificate to a digital QR-coded certificate or correct typographical errors:
Log into your state e-District website and select 'Digitization of Legacy Tribal Certificate'.
Provide a high-resolution scan of your original physical certificate and modern identity proof.
The Tehsil office verifies the manual serial number in the permanent caste ledger.
Receive the verified electronic certificate with a scannable verification barcode.
Download an official digital ST Certificate PDF online:
Visit your state portal (e.g., edistrict.assam.gov.in, jharsewa.jharkhand.gov.in, aaplesarkar.mahaonline.gov.in).
Enter your Application Reference Number and Certificate ID.
Enter the verification OTP sent to your registered mobile number.
Save and print the digital color certificate bearing the electronic signature of the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) / Tehsildar.
Track your ST certificate application and tribal enquiry status online:
Visit your state e-District portal and select 'Track Application Status'.
Input the 14-digit reference number provided on your submission receipt.
Check whether your file is under Patwari verification, Tribal Welfare Inspector review, or approved by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate.
An ST Certificate has LIFETIME VALIDITY. Because tribal identity is determined by birth and ancestry, the certificate does not expire, and there is NO income limit or creamy layer exclusion applicable to Scheduled Tribes for claiming constitutional reservations.
1) SC Certificate: Issued to communities notified under Article 341 of the Constitution who have historically faced social untouchability (15% reservation). 2) ST Certificate: Issued to indigenous tribal communities notified under Article 342 who have distinct cultural characteristics, primitive traits, and geographical isolation (7.5% reservation).
The Central ST proforma is a standardized Annexure issued under the authority of the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (DoPT) and Ministry of Tribal Affairs. It explicitly cites the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order 1950 and is mandatory for Central Government civil service examinations (UPSC, SSC, Banking) and central counselling (JoSAA, NEET MCC).
1) Open digilocker.gov.in. 2) Search for your state Revenue / Tribal Welfare Department. 3) Select 'Caste / Tribe Certificate' and enter your Application / Certificate ID. 4) The digitally signed certificate is permanently saved in your Issued Documents.
A candidate who has migrated from their state of origin to another state can obtain an ST certificate from the competent authority of the migrated state ONLY 'on the basis of the ST certificate issued to their father' by the state of ancestral origin, but they remain eligible for reservation benefits only in relation to their home state and Central Government posts.
Visit the official government portal to start your application
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