The Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala, has issued a detailed government order on 14 March 2026 specifying the exact caste and community certificates that SC, ST, OBC, and EWS candidates must submit during NEET UG 2026 MBBS and BDS counselling. This order clarifies which certificates are valid, who can issue them, what information they must contain, and critical date requirements. Any candidate claiming SC, ST, OBC, or EWS status for seat allotment must follow these rules precisely—submitting the wrong certificate type or one issued by an unauthorised authority will result in rejection and loss of the seat.
SC, ST, OBC, and EWS candidates must submit caste certificates issued by specific authorities in the exact format prescribed; certificates issued before 2002 or by unauthorised persons will be rejected.
What This Order Covers
This is a government order from the Kerala Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE) that sets out the mandatory rules for caste and community certificates in NEET UG 2026 MBBS and BDS counselling. It applies to all candidates claiming Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), Other Backward Class (OBC), or Economically Weaker Section (EWS) status.
The order does not change your NEET score or merit rank. It only specifies which certificates you must produce during counselling to claim your reserved seat. If you do not submit the correct certificate, you will not be allotted a seat in your claimed category, even if your score qualifies you.
Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) Certificates: What You Need
If you belong to a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe, you must produce a caste certificate issued under one of the constitutional orders listed in this government order. The certificate must be issued by an authority empowered by the state or union territory government.
The certificate must be in the exact form prescribed by the Office Memorandum BC/12025/18/94-SCD(R.L.Cell) dated 10 August 1994. This form is non-negotiable—a certificate in any other format will be rejected, even if it is genuine.
Your certificate must clearly state that you belong to a caste or tribe recognised as Scheduled under the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, or the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950, or one of the other constitutional orders listed in the government order (such as the Jammu and Kashmir Scheduled Castes Order, 1956, or the Goa, Daman & Diu Scheduled Castes Order, 1968).
- Certificate must be issued by an authority listed in the order (District Magistrate, Chief Presidency Magistrate, Revenue Officer, or Sub-Divisional Officer)
- Certificate must follow the prescribed form exactly
- Certificate must reference the specific constitutional order under which your caste/tribe is recognised
- Certificate must state your ordinary place of residence in the district/division and state/union territory
OBC (Other Backward Class) Certificates: Exact Requirements
If you are claiming OBC status, you must submit a caste certificate issued under the 2002 government order (G.O. (Rt.) No. 18/2002/PRS dated 20 April 2002). This is the only OBC certificate format accepted for NEET UG 2026 counselling in Kerala.
Your OBC certificate must clearly identify you as belonging to a caste listed in the OBC (Other Backward Classes) list. If you belong to an EWS (Economically Weaker Section) category within OBC, your certificate must explicitly state this—a generic OBC certificate will not qualify you for EWS benefits.
The certificate must be issued by an authority empowered under the 2002 order. If your certificate was issued under an older order or by an unauthorised person, it will be rejected.
- Must be issued under G.O. (Rt.) No. 18/2002/PRS dated 20 April 2002
- Must clearly state your OBC caste name and list
- If claiming EWS within OBC, certificate must explicitly mention this
- Must be issued by an authority empowered under the 2002 order
EWS (Economically Weaker Section) Certificates: Critical Date Rule
If you are claiming EWS status, your certificate must have been issued on or after 1 January 2010. Any EWS certificate issued before 1 January 2010 will be rejected, regardless of how recent it appears or how genuine it is. This is a hard deadline set by the government order.
Your EWS certificate must also state your annual family income. The order specifies that your family income must not exceed ₹2,00,000 (two lakh rupees) as per the 2010 income limit, or the current limit if it has been revised by the government. If your certificate does not clearly state your income or states an income above the threshold, it will be rejected.
If you hold an EWS certificate issued before 2010, you must obtain a fresh certificate dated on or after 1 January 2010 from the prescribed authority. Do not attempt to use an old certificate—it will be rejected during counselling.
- ⚠️ Certificate must be issued on or after 1 January 2010 (hard deadline)
- ⚠️ Any EWS certificate issued before 1 January 2010 will be rejected
- Certificate must state annual family income
- Family income must not exceed ₹2,00,000 (or current revised limit)
- If your certificate is older than 1 January 2010, obtain a fresh one immediately
Who Can Issue Your Caste Certificate: Authorised Authorities Only
Your caste certificate must be issued by one of the specific authorities listed in the government order. If it is issued by anyone else—even if they claim to be a government official—it will be rejected. The authorised authorities are:
For SC/ST certificates: District Magistrate, Additional District Magistrate, Collector, Deputy Commissioner, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Deputy Collector, 1st Class Stipendiary Magistrate, City Magistrate, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Taluk Magistrate, Executive Magistrate, or Extra Assistant Commissioner (not below the rank of 1st Class Stipendiary Magistrate); Chief Presidency Magistrate or Additional Chief Presidency Magistrate; Revenue Officers not below the rank of Tehsildar; Sub-Divisional Officer of the area where you or your family normally resides; or Administrator/Secretary to Administrator/Development Officer (for Lakshadweep Islands).
For OBC and EWS certificates: The same authorities apply. Do not accept a certificate from a Gram Panchayat, Taluk Office clerk, or any unofficial source. If you are unsure whether the issuing authority is on the list, contact the CEE or your district administration before submitting your application.
- District Magistrate or Additional District Magistrate
- Collector or Deputy Commissioner
- Chief Presidency Magistrate
- Revenue Officer (Tehsildar rank or above)
- Sub-Divisional Officer of your area of residence
- Executive Magistrate or Extra Assistant Commissioner
- Administrator/Secretary (for Lakshadweep Islands)
- ❌ NOT: Gram Panchayat, village clerk, or unofficial sources
What Your Certificate Must Say: Mandatory Information
Your caste certificate must contain specific information. If any of this information is missing or unclear, the certificate will be rejected. The certificate must state:
Your full name, father's or mother's name, and village/town of residence. Your district/division and state/union territory must be clearly mentioned. The certificate must explicitly state which caste or tribe you belong to and confirm that it is recognised as a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe (or OBC, or EWS, as applicable) under the relevant constitutional order or government order. The certificate must be signed and sealed by the issuing authority and dated. For SC/ST certificates, the date of issue must be on or after the date specified in the government order (see below for date rules). For EWS certificates, the date must be on or after 1 January 2010.
- Your full name (as on your NEET admit card)
- Father's or mother's name
- Village/town of residence
- District/division and state/union territory
- Caste/tribe name and recognition status
- Reference to the constitutional or government order under which the caste/tribe is recognised
- Signature and seal of the issuing authority
- Date of issue (must meet the date requirements below)
- For OBC: explicit mention of OBC status and caste list
- For EWS: annual family income and date on or after 1 January 2010
Critical Date Rules: When Your Certificate Must Have Been Issued
The date your certificate was issued is critical. Certificates issued before certain dates will be rejected, even if they are genuine and in the correct format.
For SC/ST certificates: Your certificate must have been issued on or after 1 January 1996. Any SC/ST certificate issued before 1 January 1996 will be rejected. If you have an old certificate, you must obtain a fresh one from the prescribed authority.
For OBC certificates: Your certificate must have been issued on or after 20 April 2002 (the date of the government order). Any OBC certificate issued before 20 April 2002 will be rejected.
For EWS certificates: Your certificate must have been issued on or after 1 January 2010. This is a strict deadline. Any EWS certificate issued before 1 January 2010 will be rejected, even if it was valid when issued. If your EWS certificate is older, obtain a fresh one immediately.
- ⚠️ SC/ST certificates: must be issued on or after 1 January 1996
- ⚠️ OBC certificates: must be issued on or after 20 April 2002
- ⚠️ EWS certificates: must be issued on or after 1 January 2010
- Certificates issued before these dates will be rejected
- If your certificate is older, obtain a fresh one from the prescribed authority
Special Rules for Candidates Who Have Migrated Between States
If you or your family has migrated from one state or union territory to another, you can still claim SC/ST status in Kerala, but your certificate must be issued by the prescribed authority in the state/union territory where you or your family originally belonged.
Your certificate must state that you belong to a caste or tribe recognised as Scheduled in that state/union territory. The certificate must be issued by the authority of that state/union territory and must reference the specific constitutional order under which your caste/tribe is recognised there.
If you have migrated and do not have a certificate from your original state, contact the prescribed authority in that state to obtain one. Do not attempt to obtain a certificate from Kerala if your caste/tribe is not recognised in Kerala—it will be rejected.
- Certificate must be from the state/union territory where you or your family originally belonged
- Certificate must state recognition under that state's constitutional order
- Certificate must be issued by the prescribed authority of that state
- If you have migrated, contact your original state's authority for a certificate
What Happens If Your Certificate Is Rejected
If your caste certificate does not meet the requirements in this government order, it will be rejected during counselling. You will not be allotted a seat in your claimed SC/ST/OBC/EWS category. Instead, you may be considered for a general (unreserved) seat if your NEET score qualifies, but this is not guaranteed.
Common reasons for rejection include: certificate issued by an unauthorised person; certificate in the wrong format; certificate issued before the required date; missing information (such as caste name, issuing authority, or date); certificate not signed or sealed; or certificate stating a caste/tribe not recognised in your state.
If your certificate is rejected, you cannot appeal or resubmit during the same counselling round. You will lose your reserved seat opportunity for that round. To avoid this, verify your certificate well before counselling begins and obtain a fresh one if it does not meet the requirements.
- Rejection means no seat in your claimed category
- You may be considered for a general seat only if your score qualifies
- No appeal or resubmission in the same round
- Common rejection reasons: wrong issuing authority, wrong format, old date, missing information, unrecognised caste
- Verify your certificate NOW—do not wait until counselling
Documents You Must Bring to Counselling
When you report for counselling, you must bring the following documents. If any are missing, you will not be allotted a seat:
Your original caste/community certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS) in the prescribed format, issued by an authorised authority, and dated on or after the required date. Your NEET admit card and NEET score card. Your 10th or 12th mark sheet or birth certificate as proof of date of birth. Your school/college leaving certificate or transfer certificate. Your passport-size photographs (as specified by CEE). Your identity proof (Aadhaar, PAN, voter ID, or driving licence). Your address proof (electricity bill, water bill, or rental agreement). If you are claiming EWS status, your income certificate issued by the prescribed authority. If you have migrated, your original state's caste certificate and proof of migration (such as a transfer certificate or residence proof).
- ✅ Original caste/community certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS)
- ✅ NEET admit card and score card
- ✅ 10th or 12th mark sheet or birth certificate
- ✅ School/college leaving or transfer certificate
- ✅ Passport-size photographs
- ✅ Identity proof (Aadhaar, PAN, voter ID, driving licence)
- ✅ Address proof (electricity bill, water bill, rental agreement)
- ✅ Income certificate (if claiming EWS)
- ✅ Migration proof (if applicable)
How to Verify Your Certificate Before Counselling
Do not wait until counselling to check your certificate. Verify it now by comparing it against the requirements in this government order. Check that your certificate is in the prescribed form (as per Office Memorandum BC/12025/18/94-SCD(R.L.Cell) dated 10 August 1994 for SC/ST, or the 2002 order for OBC/EWS). Check that it was issued by one of the authorised authorities listed above. Check that it was issued on or after the required date (1 January 1996 for SC/ST, 20 April 2002 for OBC, 1 January 2010 for EWS). Check that it contains all mandatory information: your name, father's/mother's name, village/town, district, state, caste/tribe name, issuing authority, date, and signature/seal. If any of these are missing or unclear, contact the issuing authority and obtain a corrected or fresh certificate.
If you are unsure whether your certificate meets the requirements, contact the CEE or your district administration. It is better to clarify now than to face rejection during counselling.
- Check certificate format matches the prescribed form
- Check issuing authority is on the authorised list
- Check date meets the requirement (1996 for SC/ST, 2002 for OBC, 2010 for EWS)
- Check all mandatory information is present and clear
- If unsure, contact CEE or district administration NOW
- Obtain a fresh certificate if the current one does not meet requirements
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See My CollegesFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between a SC/ST certificate and an OBC certificate?
A SC/ST certificate is issued under the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, or the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950, and recognises your caste or tribe as a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe. An OBC certificate is issued under the 2002 government order (G.O. (Rt.) No. 18/2002/PRS) and recognises your caste as an Other Backward Class. They are different categories with different eligibility criteria and must be issued in different formats. You cannot use an OBC certificate to claim SC/ST status, or vice versa.
My SC/ST certificate was issued in 1995. Can I use it for NEET UG 2026 counselling?
No. The government order requires SC/ST certificates to be issued on or after 1 January 1996. Any certificate issued before this date will be rejected. You must obtain a fresh SC/ST certificate from the prescribed authority (District Magistrate, Collector, or other authorised officer) dated on or after 1 January 1996.
My EWS certificate was issued in 2008. Will it be accepted?
No. The government order requires EWS certificates to be issued on or after 1 January 2010. Any EWS certificate issued before this date will be rejected, even if it was valid when issued. You must obtain a fresh EWS certificate from the prescribed authority dated on or after 1 January 2010. Do this immediately—do not wait until counselling.
Who can issue a caste certificate? Can my Gram Panchayat issue one?
No. Only specific authorities can issue caste certificates: District Magistrate, Additional District Magistrate, Collector, Deputy Commissioner, Chief Presidency Magistrate, Revenue Officer (Tehsildar rank or above), Sub-Divisional Officer, Executive Magistrate, or Extra Assistant Commissioner. A Gram Panchayat, village clerk, or any other unofficial source cannot issue a valid certificate. If your certificate is from an unauthorised source, it will be rejected.
My caste is recognised in my original state but not in Kerala. Can I claim SC/ST status in Kerala?
If you have migrated to Kerala from another state, you can claim SC/ST status based on your original state's recognition. Your certificate must be issued by the prescribed authority in your original state and must state that your caste/tribe is recognised as Scheduled in that state under the relevant constitutional order. However, if your caste is not recognised in Kerala, you may face issues during counselling. Contact the CEE to clarify before submitting your application.
What happens if my caste certificate is rejected during counselling?
If your certificate is rejected, you will not be allotted a seat in your claimed SC/ST/OBC/EWS category. You may be considered for a general (unreserved) seat only if your NEET score qualifies, but this is not guaranteed. You cannot appeal or resubmit your certificate in the same counselling round. To avoid this, verify your certificate now and obtain a fresh one if it does not meet the requirements.
I have both an old OBC certificate (issued in 2000) and a new one (issued in 2024). Which one should I submit?
Submit the new certificate issued in 2024. The government order requires OBC certificates to be issued on or after 20 April 2002. While your 2000 certificate is too old and will be rejected, your 2024 certificate meets the requirement. Always submit the most recent certificate that meets the date requirement.
My EWS certificate states my family income as ₹2,50,000. Will it be accepted?
No. The government order specifies that family income must not exceed ₹2,00,000 (two lakh rupees) as per the 2010 limit, or the current revised limit if updated by the government. If your certificate states an income above this threshold, it will be rejected. You must obtain a fresh EWS certificate with income within the prescribed limit.
Can I submit a photocopy of my caste certificate, or must I bring the original?
The government order requires you to bring your original caste certificate to counselling. A photocopy will not be accepted. Bring the original certificate along with all other required documents.
I migrated from Andhra Pradesh to Kerala 5 years ago. How do I get a caste certificate for NEET UG 2026 counselling?
You must obtain a caste certificate from the prescribed authority in Andhra Pradesh (your original state). Contact the District Magistrate or Collector in your original district in Andhra Pradesh and request a caste certificate. The certificate must state that your caste/tribe is recognised as Scheduled in Andhra Pradesh under the relevant constitutional order. Once you receive it, bring it to Kerala counselling. If you have difficulty obtaining it, contact the CEE for guidance.
What is the prescribed form for a SC/ST certificate?
The prescribed form is specified in Office Memorandum BC/12025/18/94-SCD(R.L.Cell) dated 10 August 1994. Your certificate must follow this exact format. If your certificate is in a different format, it will be rejected. If you are unsure whether your certificate is in the correct format, contact the issuing authority or the CEE.
If I claim EWS status, do I also need to submit an SC/ST or OBC certificate?
No. EWS is a separate category. If you are claiming EWS status, you submit only an EWS certificate. However, if you belong to an OBC caste and are also eligible for EWS, your OBC certificate must explicitly state that you are EWS within OBC. In that case, you submit the OBC certificate that mentions EWS status.
Your caste certificate is critical for counselling. Verify it now against the requirements in this government order: correct format, authorised issuing authority, required date (1996 for SC/ST, 2002 for OBC, 2010 for EWS), and all mandatory information. If your certificate does not meet these requirements, obtain a fresh one immediately from the prescribed authority. Do not wait until counselling—a rejected certificate means you lose your reserved seat. Contact the CEE (cee.kerala.gov.in) or your district administration if you have any doubts.
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