How to Apply Online for West Bengal Caste Certificate / জাতি শংসাপত্র (castcertificatewb.gov.in)
In West Bengal, applying for a caste certificate (Jati Shongsapatra / জাতি শংসাপত্র) for SC, ST, OBC-A, or OBC-B is a hybrid process: you submit your details online on castcertificatewb.gov.in, print the generated application form (Form 1) and acknowledgment slip, and submit the physical dossier to your local BDO / SDO office (or DWO Kolkata for KMC areas) or at a Duare Sarkar camp. Follow this step-by-step guide to complete your application smoothly.
Important Prerequisite: Prepare Your Bongshobrikkho & Referees First
Before filling the online form, ensure you have:
- A clearly drafted **Bongshobrikkho (Family Tree Chart)** showing paternal lineage, preferably attested by your local Gram Panchayat Pradhan or Ward Councillor.
- Names, full residential addresses, and Voter EPIC numbers of **two respectable local referees** living in your locality.
- A passport-size photograph scanned in JPG format under 100 KB. Use our free compressor tool to resize images quickly.
6-Step Application Process
Visit the official website: castcertificatewb.gov.in . On the homepage, navigate to the Applicant menu and click on “Apply for SC/ST/OBC Certificate” (or Application for SC/ST/OBC).
Choose your administrative boundaries accurately:
- District & Sub-Division: Select your home district and respective Sub-Division (e.g. Barasat, Siliguri, Tamluk, or Kolkata for KMC).
- Local Body: Select whether you fall under a Municipality or a Block (Gram Panchayat).
- Category & Community: Select SC, ST, OBC-A, or OBC-B, and pick your specific sub-caste name from the official dropdown list.
Fill in the applicant's full name, father's name, mother's name, mobile number, email ID, date of birth, and place of birth (District, Police Station, and Village/Town). Ensure the spelling matches your Aadhaar and Madhyamik/school admit card exactly.
Under the blood relation section:
- If a paternal relative holds a certificate: Select “Yes”, enter their Certificate Number, Date of Issue, Issuing Authority, and your exact relation (e.g. Father, Brother, Paternal Uncle).
- If no relative holds a certificate: Select “No”. The system will flag your application for local field inquiry by the BDO inspector.
- Referees: Enter the full names and residential addresses of two local neighborhood witnesses.
Upload the applicant's clear passport-size photo (JPG under 100 KB). Review all entries carefully, solve the captcha, and click “Submit”.
Immediately download and print both the Filled Application Form (Form 1) and the Acknowledgment Slip containing your unique Application Number.
Within the designated timeline (usually within 60 days of online registration):
- Attach self-attested photocopies of identity proof, date of birth proof, address proof, certified Bongshobrikkho chart, and blood relation certificate (if applicable).
- Submit the physical dossier at your local BDO Office (for rural areas), SDO Office (for municipal areas), or at the nearest active Duare Sarkar camp.
- Get your physical acknowledgment slip signed and stamped by the receiving official.
Special Guidance for Married Women Applying in West Bengal
In West Bengal, caste status is strictly determined by paternal birth. A married woman must apply providing her father's name, father's native address, and paternal bloodline documents. A marriage certificate or husband's caste certificate cannot be used to claim caste status in West Bengal.
