📜 Affidavit of Caste – Comprehensive Guide via Digital Gujarat
1. What Is a Caste Affidavit?
A Caste Affidavit is a legal declaration confirming your caste identity, often required when obtaining caste-related documents (e.g., caste validity), university admissions, government jobs, or scholarships. In Gujarat, you can obtain this affidavit through the Digital Seva Setu initiative, eliminating the need to visit a notary reddit.com+15sarkariyojana.com+15reddit.com+15.
2. Policy Shift: From Affidavit to Self-Declaration
Since early 2022, the Government of Gujarat has replaced many affidavits—including for caste—with a self-declaration format (Annexure-A). It can be submitted at Talati offices, Jan Seva Kendras, or online instead of procuring stamp-paper affidavits studentmahitihelpdesk.com+1trickgujarati.com+1.
📌 Exception: Where a legal affidavit is required by law, the self-declaration cannot replace it.
3. Online Procedure via Digital Gujarat
🧩 Step 1: Registration / Login
- Visit Digital Gujarat and log in or register.
- OTP + captcha authentication is required before accessing the dashboard surat.nic.in+2chhotaudepur.nic.in+2govinfo.me+2.
🧾 Step 2: Choose the Service
- Navigate to Citizen Services → Social Justice & Empowerment Department.
- Select “Affidavit of Caste” under Panchayat services (rural/urban) reddit.com+9pmmodiyojana.website+9pmmodiyojanaye.in+9.
📄 Step 3: Fill the Form
- Provide your personal, address, and caste details.
- Declared information must match supporting documents.
📎 Step 4: Upload Documents
- Upload identity proof, address proof, and existing caste certificate (if any).
- Include a passport-size photo.
- Choose self-declaration (Annexure-A) or traditional affidavit as allowed.
💳 Step 5: Submit & Track
- Review and submit your application.
- Record the Application ID to track progress via portal or SMS.
✅ Step 6: Download Certificate
- Once approved (typically within 1–7 days), download the affidavit/self-declaration PDF from My Certificates.
4. Offline Process via Talati or Jan Seva Kendra
- Visit Talati office or Jan Seva Kendra in your area.
- Collect Form “Affidavit of Caste” or Annexure-A self-declaration.
- Fill in your personal, address, and caste details.
- Attach identity, address proof, and passport photo.
- Submit to the Talati—Issue of self-declaration is free or minimal charges.
- Certificate is issued on the same day or within 1–2 days via digital signature (e-Locker) reddit.com+1payalk.in+1reddit.com+2reddit.com+2payalk.in+2reddit.comtrickgujarati.com+1payalk.in+1reddit.com+5surendranagar.nic.in+5chhotaudepur.nic.in+5pmmodiyojanaye.in+1sarkariyojana.com+1.
5. When Do You Need This Affidavit?
- Use during caste validity checks, document mismatches (e.g., parent’s surname) reddit.com+1reddit.com+1.
- Submit along with caste certificate for college admissions or exams.
- Required when caste certificate is under process or under verification.
- Attached to caste-related applications under SEBC/SC/ST/nomadic caste reddit.com+15pmmodiyojana.website+15reddit.com+15reddit.com+1govinfo.me+1studentmahitihelpdesk.com+9chhotaudepur.nic.in+9surat.nic.in+9.
Redditor insights:
“An Affidavit can be given for caste validity, a period of 1 year is allowed for it.” reddit.com+2reddit.com+2reddit.com+2
6. Processing Time & Fees
| Mode | Fee | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Online | Free or nominal | 1–7 days |
| Offline | Charged by talati | Same day/2 days |
- Self-declaration is convenient and often free.
- Digitally signed certificates are accessible via Digital Locker reddit.comsarkariyojana.comsurendranagar.nic.intrickgujarati.com+1payalk.in+1payalk.in+2pmmodiyojanaye.in+2sarkariyojana.com+2.
7. Tips for Smooth Processing
- Scan documents clearly with all details visible.
- Match declaration data exactly with your supporting documents.
- Keep mobile/email active — OTPs and status updates depend on this.
- If using offline route, get a receipt and application ID.
- Track the application via the portal or contact Digital Gujarat Helpdesk at 1800‑233‑5500.
- If caste validation is urgent (for admissions), use affidavit for provisional admission edistrict.in+5payalk.in+5govinfo.me+5.
8. FAQs
Q. Is stamp paper required?
No — self-declaration suffices for most cases; stamp-paper affidavit optional unless legally mandated .
Q. Validity?
Typically issued once and accepted for 1 year or until the original caste certificate is verified.
Q. What if my documents don’t match?
Submit the affidavit explaining discrepancies (e.g., name mismatch). Authorities usually allow adjustments reddit.com.
Q. Online vs offline – which route is better?
Online is faster and contactless. Offline is helpful if you need talati’s assistance or lack digital access.
✅ Final Thoughts
The Affidavit of Caste (now often a self-declaration) is a key legal tool in Gujarat for caste verification and related purposes. With Digital Seva Setu and Digital Gujarat, this can be completed online or offline without a notary, saving time and cost.