SCHEDULED TRIBE CERTIFICATE

 What do you mean by scheduled Tribe ?

                                          The term "Scheduled Tribe" has been defined in the Constitution of India. Article 366(25) defines scheduled Tribe as "such tribes or tribal communities or parts of such groups within such tribes or tribal communities as are deemed under Article 342 to be Scheduled Tribes for the purposes of this constitution". Article 342 is reproduced below for better appreciation.

                                    Article 342. Scheduled Tribes—(1) The President may with respect to any State or. Union Territory and where it is a State, after consultation with the Governor thereof by public notification, specify the tribes or tribal communities or parts of or groups within tribes or tribal communities which shall for the purpose of this Constitution be deemed to be Scheduled Tribes in relation to that State or Union Territory, as the case may be. (2) Parliament may by law include in or exclude from the list of Scheduled Tribes specified in a notification issued under clause (1) any tribe or tribal community or part of or group within any tribe or tribal community, but save as aforesaid a notification issued under 'the said clause shall not be varied by any subsequent notification.  

                                       Thus , the first specification of Scheduled Tribes in relation to a particular State/Union Territory is by a notified order of the  President of India, after consultation with the State government concerned. These orders can be modified subsequently only through an Act of Parliament. The above Article provides for listing of scheduled tribes State/Union Territory wise and not on all India basis. 

                                        In exercise of the powers conferred by Clause (1) of Article 342 of the Constitution of India, the President , after consultation of the State governments has promulgated so far 9 orders specifying the Scheduled Tribes in relation to the State and Union Territories. Out of these, eight are in operation at present in their original or amended form. The  Constitution(Scheduled Tribes) Order,1950  with the subsequent amendments is applicable for Odisha .

                   The essential characteristics of the Scheduled Tribes are:

• Primitive Traits
• Geographic isolation
• Distinct culture
• Shy of contact with community at large
• Economically backward                                                                                                                

Why they are called Scheduled Tribes ?

                                                    The specified tribal communities or part thereof have been recognized by the Constitution of India under Schedule V of the Constitution. Hence the Tribes recognized by the constitution are called Scheduled Tribes.

Which Castes comes under Scheduled Tribe in Odisha ?

                                    The list of Scheduled Tribes in     Odisha (after addition/deletion) as per Scheduled Tribes Oder,1950, as amended by Modification order,1956,Amendment Act,1976 and The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Act 2002 No. 10 dated 8.1.2003 of Ministry of Law & Justice republished by the Notification No. 7799/ L dated 7.6.2003 of Law Department, Govt. of Orissa is given below : 

Sl. No.	Scheduled Tribes
1.	Bagata, Bhakta
2.	Baiga
3.	Banjara, Banjari
4.	Bathudi, Bathuri
5.	Bhottada, Dhotada, Bhotra, Bhatra, Bhattara, Bhotora, Bhatara
6.	Bhuiya, Bhuyan
7.	Bhumia
8.	Bhumij, Teli Bhumij, Haladipokhria Bhumij, Haladi Pokharia Bhumija, Desi Bhumij, Desia Bhumij, Tamaria Bhumij
9.	Bhunjia
10.	Binjhal, Binjhwar
11.	Binjhia, Binjhoa
12.	Birhor
13.	Bondo Poraja, Bonda Paroja, Banda Paroja
14.	Chenchu
15.	Dal
16.	Desua Bhumij
17.	Dharua, Dhuruba, Dhurva
18.	Didayi, Didai Paroja, Didai
19.	Gadaba, Bodo Gadaba, Gutob Gadaba, Kapu Gadaba, Ollara Gadaba, Parenga Gadaba, Sano Gadaba
20.	Gandia
21.	Ghara
22.	Gond, Gondo, Rajgond, Maria Gond, Dhur Gond
23.	Ho
24.	Holva
25.	Jatapu
26.	Juang
27.	Kandha Gauda
28.	Kawar, Kanwar
29.	Kharia, Kharian, Berga Kharia, Dhelki Kharia, Dudh Kharia, Erenga Kharia, Munda Kharia, Oraon Kharia, Khadia, Pahari Kharia
30.	Kharwar
31.	Khond, Kond, Kandha, Nanguli Kandha, Sitha Kandha, Kondh, Kui, Buda Kondh, Bura Kandha, Desia Kandha, Dungaria Kondh, Kutia Kandha, Kandha Gauda, Muli Kondh, Malua Kondh, Pengo Kandha, Raja Kondh, Raj Khond
32.	Kisan, Nagesar, Nagesia
33.	Kol
34.	Kolah  Loharas, Kol Loharas
35.	Kolha
36.	Koli, Malhar
37.	Kondadora
38.	Kora, Khaira, Khayara
39.	Korua
40.	Kotia
41.	Koya, Gumba Koya, Koitur Koya, Kamar Koya, Musara Koya
42.	Kulis
43.	Lodha, Nodh, Nodha, Lodh
44.	Madia
45.	Mahali
46.	Mankidi
47.	Mankirdia, Mankria, Mankidi
48.	Matya, Matia
49.	Mirdhas, Kuda, Koda
50.	Munda, Munda  Lohara, Munda  Mahalis, Nagabanshi Munda, Oriya Munda
51.	Mundari
52.	Omanatya, Omanatyo, Amanatya
53.	Oraon, Dhangar, Uran
54.	Parenga
55.	Paroja, Parja, Bodo Paroja, Barong Jhodia Paroja, Chhelia Paroja, Jhodia Paroja, Konda Paroja, Paraja, Ponga Paroja, Sodia Paroja, Sano Paroja, Solia Paroja
56.	Pentia
57.	Rajuar
58.	Santal
59.	Saora, Savar, Saura, Sahara, Arsi Saora, Based Saora, Bhima Saora, Bhimma Saora, Chumura Saora, Jara Savar, Jadu Saora, Jati Saora, Juari Saora, Kampu Saora, Kampa Soura, Kapo Saora, Kindal Saora, Kumbi Kancher Saora, Kalapithia Saora, Kirat Saora, Lanjia Saora, Lamba Lanjia Saora, Luara Saora, Luar Saora, Laria Savar, Malia Saora, Malla Saora, Uriya Saora, Raika Saora, Sudda Saora, Sarda Saora, Tankala Saora, Patro Saora, Vesu Saora
60.	Shabar, Lodha
61.	Sounti
62.	Tharua, Tharua Bindhani

How can I get ST caste certificate in Odisha?

 The Scheduled Tribe (ST) Certificate is being issued to the eligible scheduled tribe applicants as per the Orissa Caste Certificate(for  Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) Rules,1980. As per Rule 6 of these Rules, the following shall be the Competent Authority to issue caste certificate within their respective jurisdiction.

• District Magistrate/Collector
• Additional District Magistrate
• Sub-Divisional Magistrate/Sub-Divisional Office
• Executive Magisrates
• Revenue Officers not below the rank of the Tahasildar/Additional Tahasildars
• All O.A.S.,B.D.Os

Practically, the Tahasildars and the Additional Tahasildars have been issuing the caste certificates.

                                    As per rule 7 of the said Rules, the following authorities are Recommendatory Authority who may recommend to the Competent Authorities to issue Caste Certificates to persons belonging to Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes in Odisha.

• The Sarpanch of the Grama Panchayat in respect of persons residing within the jurisdiction of the Grama Panchayat concerned.
• The Chairman of the Municipality/NAC/Municipal Corporation
• Members of the Legislative Assembly in respect of their constituencies
• Members of the Parliament in respect of their constituencies.

                                            When a person submits an application  for caste certificate, the competent authorities verify the following:

1.  That the person and his parents actually belong to the community claimed.
2. That the community is included in the Presidential Order specifying the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in relation to the State of Odisha.
3. That the person belongs to the State of Odisha and to the area in respect of which the community has been scheduled. 
4. If a person claims to be a Scheduled Caste, he should profess either the Hindu or Sikh religion.
5. If a person claims to be a Scheduled Tribe, he may profess any religion. 

                                     If necessary, the competent authority may conduct local enquiry in case of doubt and take appropriate steps to issue caste certificates within the prescribed time,i.e.15 days.

How to apply caste certificate online in Odisha ?

Few years back, caste certificates were issued by the Tahasildars in offline mode. This resulted in delayed service and even could not be monitored properly. With the intervention of  the information technology, now such certificates are being issued online through eDistrict Odisha portal. 

                                Process to file online application for Caste Certificate

1. Open the portal (https://edistrict.odisha.gov.in) in your favourite web browser .
2. Register in the portal for creating a login account. It is a one time process for availing all services under edistrict portal. Plz  check how to register in service Plus Portal.
3. Once the registration is over, click on the certificate you want to apply. A new window will open. Click on apply for services. Then click on online. Enter your login credentials (i.e. either with your registered email ID or Mobile Number). After successful login the application form will appear.
   
   
   
4. Steps for submitting Application Form 

•  Fill the application Form. 
• Verify the data. (Edit if required). 
•  Attach the Annexure Documents. 
•  Submit the application form. 
• On successful submission an Acknowledgement slip will be generated which will be available in your view application status. It can be downloaded and printed for offline reference.
• A SMS conformation containing application reference number will be send to the applicant mobile number mentioned in the form. 
• You can track the status of the application in “Track Application Status” section. 
• A SMS will send to the applicant after issue / reject of the application. 
• Applicant can download the certificate from “Track Application Status”.

Documents required to be submitted

                                 Any one of the following documents is mandatory to be uploaded. More then one document can also be uploaded. 

•  Copy of finally published settlement ROR/Consolidation ROR 
•  Self Declaration 
•  Voter ID 
•  Land Pass Book 
•  Aadhaar Card 
•  PAN Card 
•  Driving License 
•  Recommendation from people’s representatives 
•  Copy of certificate issued in favour of parents/sibling if any Apart from above documents, one can upload any other documents relevant to this service. 
•  Others ( Any other documents )

What is the validity of ST certificate in Odisha ?

                            ST  certificate is issued to a person if he fulfills the following conditions:

1. That the person and his parents actually belong to the community claimed.
2. That the community is included in the Presidential Order specifying the  Scheduled Tribes in relation to the State of Odisha.
3. That the person belongs to the State of Odisha and to the area in respect of which the community has been scheduled. 

                                           So it is clear that until and unless the community is deleted from the Presidential Order by an Act of Parliament, the caste status a Scheduled Tribe person does not change. In other words, the  the Scheduled Tribe certificate issued to a scheduled Tribe person remains valid till the name of such tribe/community is deleted from the list notified in the Presidential order. Its essence is that there is no need to go for fresh CASTE(ST) certificate EVERY YEAR or for every purpose. It can also be stated in another way , i.e. if any Scheduled Tribe person holds a caste  certificate, it will be valid forever and for every purpose until the name of the community is there in the Presidential order. He need not apply for new certificate every year.

What is the time limit of caste certificate in Odisha ?

                                       Originally, caste certificate was issued within 30 days as per Orissa Caste Certificate(for  Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) Rules,1980. However, in the year 2021,Government of Odisha in Revenue and Disaster Management Department have revised the timeline vide L.No.11587/R&DM Dtd.06.04.2021.Now the competent authority shall issue the caste certificate within 15 days.

FAQs

Q.How long St Sc certificate is valid in Odisha?

Ans:ST certificate is valid for lifetime i.e. it is valid till the Sub-caste is removed from the Presidential Order. However, the SC certificate is not valid for lifetime,i.e. if a Scheduled Caste person gets converted to any religion other than Hinduism and Sikhism, he /she would lose the SC status.

Q.If a Scheduled Tribe person converts to Christianity, does he loss his ST status ?

Ans: No, Conversion does not affect Scheduled Tribe status.