What is A Category Certificate to fill any application?

A category certificate is proof of membership in a given caste, especially for individuals listed in the Indian Constitution as "Scheduled Castes / Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST) / Other Backward Classes (OBC) & all other reserved categories."

What is NCL in reservation?

The Non-Creamy Layer (NCL), also known as the Other Backwards Class certificate, is granted to those who meet specific eligibility requirements. Former Prime Minister V.P. Singh started the initiative in 1993.

What is A Category Certificate Application Receipt in CUET 2026 -

What is A Category Certificate Application Receipt in the CUET 2026 Application? In the CUET 2026 Application, students have to answer 6 major questions about their category. Category Certificate Application Receipt is basically a unique number mentioned in their valid category certificates.

A category certificate in any application confirms one’s category affiliation, especially if one belongs to one of the “scheduled categories” as established in the Indian Constitution. Although category certificates are essential for all Indian citizens, they cannot be obtained online in all states. Some state governments and district administrations do not want to provide or support an online application for a category certificate; they need to apply offline sometimes.

In this article, we will guide you on what category-related information you need to fill in the form and how to apply for a category certificate if you don’t have any.

What is A Category Certificate Application Receipt

What is a Category Certificate?

Candidates from the SC/ST/NC-OBC/PWD/EWS categories must include their category certificates when filling out the CUET 2026 application form. These certifications verify that the candidate falls into a specific category. The category certificates will include important information, including the candidate’s name, residence, and belonging category.

Category Certificate Application Receipt Number, Date, Authority in CUET UG 2026 Application

In the CUET Application form, there is a section called “Social Category Details”. There, students can find 6 blank spaces to fill. Those are –

श्रेणी (Category)
श्रेणी की पुष्टि करें (Confirm Category)
क्या आपके पास किसी अधिकृत सरकारी कार्यालय द्वारा जारी किया गया मान्य और सक्रिय श्रेणी प्रमाण पत्र है (Do you have a valid and live category certificate issued by an authorized Government Office) ?
श्रेणी प्रमाणपत्र आईडी/ संख्या (Category Certificate ID/Number)
श्रेणी प्रमाणपत्र जारी करने की तिथि (Category Certificate Issue Date) (DD/MM/YYYY)
श्रेणी प्रमाणपत्र जारी करने वाले प्राधिकारी का नाम (Name of the authority issuing the category certificate)

If students have government-authorized certificates with them, they can fill in the last 4 options, or if they don’t have their certificates. They can apply online or offline.

How to Get A Category Certificate Online?

Visit each state’s Official Backward Class Welfare Department website and follow the easy instructions below to apply for a category certificate online:

How to get Category Certificates Online?
Step 1	Visit the Backward Class Welfare Portal for your state.
Step 2	Each state may have several department names.
Step 3	Go to “Apply for Category Certificate Online.”
Step 4	Create a new account on the portal, or just complete the online application form.
Step 5	Log in to the portal with the username and password you created after creating your account.
Step 6	Fill out the web form with your address, contact information, personal information, local references, and so on.
Step 7	Verify all of the information you entered into the online form, and then click the submit button if you agree to the terms.
Step 8	After submitting, you must select the type of document you want to upload as proof.
Step 9	Upload the scanned papers and click the “Submit” button.
Step 10	When you submit your application, you will receive an acknowledgement slip that includes your application number.
Step 11	You can print or download the acknowledgement sheet to your computer.
Step 12	Save the application number as well to track the status of the application.
Step 13	After the verification is finished successfully, you can instantly obtain the category certificate from the web.
Step 14	You may also receive an email or SMS once the operation is completed.

How to check the status of the certificate after the application?

One can check the status online through the same portal. On the same page, select the “Check Category Certificate Status” option. This requires an application number.

How to Get A Category Certificate Offline?

To get a category certificate offline, visit the nearest Tehsil Office, Revenue Office, SDM Office, or CSC / SETU facility. The steps for applying for a category certificate offline are explained below:

How to get the Category Certificates Offline?
Step 1	Visit the Tehsil or SDM office (near your location).
Step 2	Get the category certificate application form and fill out the necessary information, including your address, personal and contact information.
Step 3	Fill out the category certificate information for your father in the category detail section.
Step 4	If he is no longer alive, please produce your blood relative’s category certificate/documents.
Step 5	Then mark the category to which you are applying.
Step 6	If you have migrated from another state, you must include this information on the form.
Step 7	Then you must fill out and sign the self-declaration area.
Step 8	Insert a passport-sized photo into the application form and provide a local reference for verification.
Step 9	After completing the application form, submit it to the officer along with the required self-attested documents.
Step 10	Keep the original documents with you at all times in case the authorities need to see them.
Step 11	In general, the office would need 30 to 35 days to deliver the category certificate.