What is OBC Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) Certificate, It's Meaning, Eligibility Criteria and Validity

Non-creamy layer certificate, which is also known as OBC or Other Backwards Class certificate, is provided to a certain group of people in our society who fulfil the conditions of the given eligibility criteria. Former Prime Minister V. P. Singh introduced this certificate back in 1993.

Read on to know whether you are eligible for an OBC-NCL certificate and how to apply for the same.

After this certification existed, a part of jobs were allocated in the Central Government and Public Sectors for persons holding the certificate. 

Students with the NCL certificate can get the opportunity to join premium institutions, such as IIT and IIM. This certificate is issued by the Thasildar of the concerned State Government. Therefore, the process for obtaining this certificate across different states will vary.

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In a wider sense, the entire OBC category is divided into two categories based on the applicant’s parents' income - creamy and non-creamy layers. If your parent’s annual income is below ₹ 8 lahks, you will belong to the non-creamy layer of the OBC category.

In addition to this, you have to satisfy the following criteria to apply for an NCL certificate:

• Applicants have to be a citizen of India.
• Applicant’s parents or either of the parents should be a Group C or Group D Central Government employee.
• If the applicant’s husband has a Central Government job, his wife can apply for an NCL certificate, provided that the wife's parents do not have any steady source of income.
• In case the applicants work under Group B of the Central Government and their parents do not have a steady source of income, they are eligible.

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Even if you belong to the OBC category, you will not be eligible to apply for a non-creamy layer certificate if you satisfy any of the given conditions:

• If you belong to a caste which is not mentioned in the Central Government's list of OBC, even if it comes under BC or MBC.
• If your parents are employed in Group A Central Government services such as IAS, IPS, and IFS.
• If your parents’ income exceeds ₹ 8 lahks annually.
• If your parents are employees of Group B of the Central Government or Group I of State Government.

An applicant will need the following documents to apply for an OBC-NCL certificate:

• Income certificate of parents from the Circle Officer if they are agriculturists or income certificate from controlling authority or from Treasury Officer in case of retired salaried persons.
• Any one of the following for identity proof: Aadhaar Card, PAN card, Passport, Driving License, Voter ID card, MNREGA Job Card, Identity card issued by Govt or Semi Govt organizations, etc.
• Any of the following for address proof: Aadhaar card, Ration card, Passport, Telephone bill, Electricity bill, Voter ID card or Property tax receipt.
• Photo of applicant
• Caste proof of the parent or of a relative if the parents are not present. This includes school-leaving certificates, death extracts, extracts of the first page of the service book in case of government service, etc.
• Proper home state documents are needed in case of migration.
• Proof of caste from before and after marriage and proof of name change for married women.
• For Muslim applicants, a certificate is provided by any of the Muslim Societies.

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One can apply for an OBC certificate both online and offline. The procedure for both the modes have been discussed below:

Online Process to Apply for an OBC Certificate

Step 1: Go to the social welfare portal of your state.

Step 2: Click on “Apply for Caste Certificate”.

Step 3: Create an account and fill up the online application form with the details required.

Step 4: Upload your documents and submit your details.

Step 5: You will receive an application ID which you can use to track your application’s progress.

Step 6: After successful verification, you can download the certificate available from the portal.

Offline Process to Apply for an OBC Certificate

Step 1: Collect your application form from a nearby Tehsildar or Revenue office.

Step 2: Fill up the application correctly with the information as required.

Step 3: In case of migration, provide proper documents for the home state.

Step 4: If the father is not present, provide a blood relative's caste certificate.

Step 5: Sign the self-attestation section, attest a passport-size photograph and submit the form along with the documents.

Step 6: After verification, you will receive your certificate within 30 to 35 days from submission date.

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The segmentation within the OBC category of creamy and non-creamy layers was made to ensure the even distribution of benefits and privileges to the people who belong to the backward classes in our society. A non-creamy layer certificate will benefit only those who truly need the support and assistance.