The government has proposed linking the Aadhaar card to the caste certificate to ensure that only genuine beneficiaries from reserved categories get the subsidies, reservations and welfare benefits. This would help them gain access to facilities for which they face discrimination under the caste system of India. This step will take place once the successful administration of linking an Aadhaar card with a bank is completed.
Thus, the central government of India has directed all state governments to issue caste and domicile certificates to the respective population, especially the SC/STs. Before going ahead with this entire process, it is important that you enrol for an Aadhaar card.
A caste certificate is an official government document that verifies an individual’s caste, particularly for those belonging to SC, ST, or OBC categories. It is important because it enables access to reservations, scholarships, government schemes, and benefits meant for specific communities. A person typically needs a caste certificate for school or college admissions, competitive exams, government jobs, and to claim various welfare entitlements.
Linking Aadhaar with your caste certificate helps verify identity digitally and ensures smoother access to government schemes, scholarships, reservations, and welfare benefits. While the process is not mandatory nationwide, many states have adopted Aadhaar-based verification to prevent fraud and maintain accurate digital records.
Following are the steps to linking Aadhaar card with caste certificate:
Go to the designated state portal (such as eDistrict, Seva Sindhu, Maha dbt, Meeseva, etc.) or visit a CSC, Tehsildar, or SDM office.
Use your mobile number, email ID, or state-specific login credentials.
New applicants can enter their Aadhaar during the application; existing certificate holders may find an “Update Aadhaar” option.
Provide your 12-digit Aadhaar number to enable Aadhaar-based authentication.
You may be asked for OTP-based verification or biometric authentication (fingerprint/iris/face) depending on state systems. If your Aadhaar is not updated or you prefer not to authenticate via biometrics, some states accept alternative documents such as voter ID, PAN, or school certificates. Availability of alternatives depends on the state portal’s rules.
Upload proof of identity, address, and community/caste documents as required by the state.
Once verified, your Aadhaar number gets digitally linked to the caste certificate. You can download the updated certificate from the state portal.
Uses the MahaOnline/MahaDBT portal; Aadhaar is commonly used for identity authentication but not always mandatory.
Through the Seva Sindhu portal; Aadhaar authentication is widely used for income, caste, and domicile certificates.
Uses TNeGA and eSevai centres; Aadhaar is a preferred ID but alternative documents are accepted.
Through eDistrict UP; Aadhaar linking is optional but encouraged for verification.
Uses the eDistrict Delhi portal; Aadhaar-based authentication is preferred for faster approvals.
Uses Meeseva; Aadhaar verification is commonly used during the application.
Aadhaar is accepted as a supporting document, but not compulsory in many cases.
Aadhaar-based verification is commonly adopted across state service portals.
Note: The degree of Aadhaar usage varies. In many states Aadhaar is used for identity authentication rather than mandatory linking. The points below summarize common practices but may change over time.
Since the database is already established by the UIDAI and the state government, dispensing scholarships to the respective population of SC/STs will happen at a faster pace. Therefore, the central government has ordered all state governments to issue caste and domicile certificates to children of all economically backward classes.
Post the successful linking of Aadhaar card with a caste certificate, the students can avail all benefits related to allowances and government grants for higher studies. Several states are increasingly using Aadhaar-linked caste and income certificates to streamline verification for scholarships, reserved-category benefits and educational admissions, helping reduce fraud and speed up approvals. This also makes the entire process of admission hassle-free.
The seat for any election constituency is based on a particular population. Thus, linking Aadhaar card with caste certificate will improve transparency within the political division of any voting body with respect to the declared reserved constituency.
Access to equal job opportunities has always been an area of concern for outsiders in every state, especially the underprivileged ST/SCs. With an Aadhaar backed caste certificate, cases of discrimination will likely reduce.
Aadhaar-based verification reduces the chances of duplicate or fake caste certificates, ensuring that only eligible individuals receive benefits. This helps streamline welfare distribution and prevents misuse of government resources.
Linking Aadhaar creates a verified digital trail, improving transparency and helping authorities track and authenticate caste certificates more accurately. It strengthens accountability by allowing agencies to maintain consistent and tamper-proof records.
Aadhaar-linked verification simplifies applications, cuts down repeated document submissions, and speeds up approvals across government portals. This makes the process more user-friendly and reduces the need for physical visits and manual verification.
The entire process of issuing and verifying caste or domicile certificates lies with the state governments. While the Centre had earlier advised states to streamline the issuance of these certificates to students during their schooling years, the implementation, timelines and procedures differ from state to state. After the certificates are issued, it is the state government’s responsibility to manage verification processes, which may include linking these certificates with Aadhaar to simplify authentication and reduce fraud; however, this requirement is not a uniform central mandate and varies across states.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this article is subject to change as per state and central government rulings. For latest updates on Aadhaar linking with caste certificate, refer to https://uidai.gov.in/en/.
Read More About Aadhaar Card:
Yes, the process is straightforward in most states when done through official portals or local offices. You simply need to submit identity proof, residence proof, and documents supporting your caste category.
You cannot change or update caste in Aadhaar because Aadhaar does not store caste information. Caste updates must be done separately through your state’s caste certificate issuing authority.
No, Aadhaar does not contain caste, religion, community, or similar details. It includes only biometric and demographic information like name, DOB, and address.
Some states use Aadhaar authentication during application, but there is no national requirement to link Aadhaar with caste or domicile certificates. Check your state portal for the latest rules.
Aadhaar can support identity or address verification, but it cannot be used as proof of domicile because it does not verify long-term residence in a specific state.
Common documents include birth certificate, school leaving certificate, electricity/water bills, ration card, and residence proof showing long-term stay in a state.
As of the latest guidelines, Aadhaar linking is not legally mandatory for caste certificate issuance in any state, although Aadhaar may be requested for verification.
Your caste certificate number appears on the certificate itself—usually on the top right, top left, or bottom section depending on the issuing state.
Typically required documents include Aadhaar, proof of residence, birth certificate, school leaving certificate, caste proof of parents, and a self-declaration form.
Visit your state’s official portal (eDistrict/Seva Sindhu/Meeseva etc.), enter your Aadhaar number during the application or update process, complete OTP verification, and submit. Once verified, Aadhaar gets linked digitally.
No, Aadhaar cannot replace a domicile certificate. It only verifies identity and address but does not prove long-term state residency.
No, it is not mandatory across India. Aadhaar is often used for faster verification, but linking depends on individual state guidelines.
