India is the most populous country in the world comprised of innumerable communities and in the midst of them lies the backward or marginalised communities made up of various small communities namely that of Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
There is a reason why they are called backward or marginalised communities and it’s because they face a wide array of challenges such as discrimination, lack of opportunities, unequal treatment, etc. To eliminate and make the nation safe and secure for them, the government of India made a reservation system for them, giving them various rights and benefits.
Read the article to learn about the community’s origin, details of the certificate, eligibility criteria, and other relevant details that one should know about.
Overview
| Name of the certificate | SC/ST/OBC Certificates |
|---|
| Objective | To provide various benefits in various sectors to establish equality and eliminate discrimination |
| Target group | People from the communities of Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) |
| Benefits | Reservation in securing jobs, seats in the educational sector, availing for financial credit sources, etc. |
| Application mode | Online/Offline |
Who Are The Scheduled Castes?
As per the Indian Constitution, all those who come under the marginalised Hindu communities are considered Scheduled Castes (SCs) including Dalits (who were labelled as untouchables in the past and even today). In the Hindu Varna system, there 4 major Varnas, and all those individuals who don’t come under any of those 4 categories are termed as ‘Avarnas’. i.e. Scheduled Castes.
Read More: National Overseas Scholarship For Scheduled Caste (SC) Students 2025
Who Are The Scheduled Tribes?
Majorly, the Adivasis living in India are considered part of the Scheduled Tribes (STs) community. They too are considered ‘Avarnas’ as per the Hindu Varna system.
Difference Between SCs & STs
The Indian Constitution differentiates between Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes based on some major significant points such as
| Aspect | Scheduled Castes (SCs) | Scheduled Tribes (STs) |
|---|
| Meaning | All those who come under the marginalised Hindu communities including Dalits | Adivasis living in India |
| Geographical location | Spread across the nation | Mainly hilly or dense forest areas |
| Identified by | Through a list maintained by each state or UTs | Through a list of tribes maintained by each state or UTs |
How Do The Government Support SCs & STs?
The government of India supports the communities of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in numerous ways by considering various aspects. Some of those aspects taken by the govt to develop welfare measures for backward communities are:
| Aspect | Scheduled Castes (SCs) | Scheduled Tribes (STs) |
|---|
| Origin | Caste system | Indigenous communities’ |
| History | Discrimination based on caste | Discrimination based on the uniqueness of culture |
| Geographical location | Spread across the nation | Mainly hilly or dense forest areas |
| Identified by | Through a list maintained by each state or UTs | Through a list of tribes maintained by each state or UTs |
| Support is given in the form of | Reservation in jobs, educational sector, and legislative bodies | Reservation in jobs, educational sector, and legislative bodies |
Read More: Dr Ambedkar Awas Yojana: Benefits, Eligibility, and Application Process
Who Are The Other Backward Classes?
All of those individuals who fall in the ‘Shudra’ Varna of the Hindu Varna system and the SCs and STs are considered to be under the community called Other Backward Classes (OBCs). The term was officially used for the first time in the 1980 report of the Mandal Commission.
All the state governments and UTs maintain a list of the people in the OBC category and that is the primary identification tool for identifying people who come under the community of OBCs.
Also Read: Free Coaching Scheme For SC and OBC Students
What Are SC/ST/OBC Certificates?
SC/ST/OBC Certificates are certificates issued by the state governments to help the people prove that they are a part of the communities of SCs, STs, or OBCs. People can then take advantage of these certificates to avail several benefits.
Eligibility Criteria For SC/ST/OBC Certificates
Interested individuals first need to ensure whether they fit into the eligibility criteria or not. The eligibility criteria for applying for the govt certificate are as follows:
Individuals should be a part of the following communities:
- Scheduled Castes (SCs)
- Scheduled Tribes (STs)
- Other Backward Classes (OBCs)
How To Apply For SC/ST/OBC Certificates?
Interested and eligible individuals can apply for the govt certificate by following some simple steps. All the steps are mentioned below in detail:
Step 1: Please visit the official website of your respective state’s govt or visit the nearest Tehsil or Revenue office.
Step 2: Fill out the application form with your accurate details like name, address, date of birth, caste, etc.
Step 3: Attach all the supporting documents.
Step 4: Submit the form with the required documents and wait for approval.
Required Documents
Applicants need to submit or attach some supporting documents to successfully apply for the SC/ST/OBC Certificates. The list of those documents is as follows:
Validity Of SC/ST/OBC Certificates
The validity of these govt certificates changes from state to state. Usually, people need to renew their certificates in a year or three years from the date of issue.
Benefits Of SC/ST/OBC Certificates
There are several benefits of the govt certificates that help people from backward communities improve their lives. Some of the key benefits are:
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People can apply to various educational institutions under the reservation quota through the certificate which increases their chances of securing a seat.
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Through the govt certificate, beneficiaries can also apply for job opportunities under the reservation quota.
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The SC/ST/OBC Certificates also help people avail of several forms of financial assistance such as loans, scholarships, and grants.
Conclusion
The people from the Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) have been facing a wide range of issues primarily discrimination for decades which led the government of India to make a special reservation system and SC/ST/OBC Certificates to ensure that inequality can be diminished and eventually eliminated.
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