OBC Certificate Revalidation: The Backward Classes Welfare Department of West Bengal has issued an important notification for the OBC communities of the state. According to this guideline, certain OBC communities need to have their certificates revalidated or re-issued. This process is mainly divided into two parts, with separate rules for each. In this blog post, we will discuss the entire process in simple terms so that you face no difficulty in applying.
Why is this Revalidation or Re-issuance necessary?
OBC candidates require a Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) certificate for jobs or admission to educational institutions at the central level. The West Bengal government has recently made some changes to its OBC list. As a result, some communities have to prove the validity of their certificates, and some previously canceled communities are being issued new certificates. This process will ensure that only eligible candidates receive the benefits of the reservation system.
Who needs Revalidation and who needs Re-issuance?
The process is divided into two main categories:
- Revalidation for 66 communities: The 66 communities that are already on the OBC list and whose Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) status is ongoing will need to revalidate their certificates. The process is relatively simple for them.
- Re-issuance for 74 communities: The 74 communities whose names were temporarily removed from the list but have now been re-included will have to apply for a new certificate, meaning their certificates will be re-issued.
Application Process: A Step-by-Step Guide
The application process is entirely online, and you will need to use the official West Bengal government website, https://castcertificatewb.gov.in/. Each step of the application is discussed in detail below:
1. Visit the Website:
First, you need to go to the https://castcertificatewb.gov.in/ website and click on the “OBC” section.
2. Start the Application:
On the homepage, click the “Apply for OBC” link. If you already have a digitized certificate, select the “Yes” option; otherwise, select “No.”
3. Fill in the Details:
- Enter your digital OBC certificate number and date of birth.
- Carefully fill in all mandatory fields, including your father’s income.
- Select your district, sub-division, block/municipality, and community type.
- Provide personal information such as your name, father’s name, mobile number, email ID, EPIC or Aadhaar number, and Khadyasathi number.
- Fill in your place of birth, religion, and parents’ service details (if applicable).
4. Required Documents:
You will need to upload some important documents during the application.
- Income Certificate: You must obtain an income certificate from the BDO office for panchayat areas and from the Executive Officer for municipal areas.
- Service Record: If your parents are government employees or retired, it is mandatory to upload their service records.
5. Submit the Application:
After correctly filling in all the information, click the “Submit” button.
Next Steps After Application Submission
- For the 66 communities (Revalidation): You do not need to submit a hard copy after submitting your online application. Your application will be verified online.
- For the 74 communities (Re-issuance): After applying online, you must take a printout of the application and submit it along with all necessary documents to your block or BDO office. The process of creating your new certificate will then begin.
By following this guide, you can easily apply for the revalidation or re-issuance of your OBC certificate. The process will be completed faster if you apply with the correct information and documents.
