Claiming Reservation Benefits with a Category Certificate from a Different State


Reservation benefits are provided to individuals belonging to certain categories, such as Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), etc., to ensure their representation and upliftment in various sectors. These benefits may include reserved seats in educational institutions, government jobs, and other opportunities.


The general rule for claiming reservation benefits is that the category certificate should be issued by the competent authority of the domicile state of the candidate. The domicile state is usually the state where an individual has their permanent residence or has been residing for a specified period.


However, there are exceptions and clarifications to this general rule. Let's explore them in detail:

1. Inter-State Migration
If an individual belonging to a reserved category has migrated from one state to another, they can avail the reservation benefits in the migrated state. However, they need to provide a valid category certificate issued by the competent authority of their original domicile state.

2. Central Government Jobs
For central government jobs, the category certificate issued by any state is valid across the country. This means that if you have a valid category certificate from any state, you can claim reservation benefits in central government jobs regardless of your domicile state.

3. State-Specific Rules
Some states have specific rules regarding the acceptance of category certificates issued by other states. In such cases, it is important to refer to the respective state government notifications or policies to understand the eligibility criteria for availing reservation benefits.

4. Eligibility Criteria
Apart from the category certificate, candidates also need to fulfill other eligibility criteria specified by the concerned authorities. These criteria may include educational qualifications, age limits, and other requirements.


In conclusion, while the general rule for claiming reservation benefits is to have a category certificate issued by the domicile state, there are exceptions and clarifications in certain cases. Inter-state migrants, individuals applying for central government jobs, and state-specific rules are some factors that influence the acceptance of category certificates issued by states other than the domicile state. It is important to thoroughly research and understand the specific eligibility criteria and guidelines provided by the concerned authorities to determine whether you can claim reservation benefits with a category certificate issued by a state other than your domicile state.