NEET category certificate is one of the crucial documents for reserved category candidates. Recently, NTA released the NEET UG application form 2025 on the official website. So, aspirants must provide their social category such as general, OBC, SC, ST, etc while filling out the form. To avail of reservation benefits, it is mandatory to submit a valid NEET caste certificate 2025. Read further to learn more about the NEET Category Certificate for OBC, SC, ST and EWS on this page.
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What is a NEET Category Certificate?
A NEET category certificate is a government-issued document that verifies the caste or social category of an individual. It is required in the NEET application form to enjoy reservation benefits. It confirms an aspirant’s caste which can be a determining parameter in eligibility for reduced qualifying marks, the reservation policy for admission, etc. Thus, a NEET caste certificate is crucial. Candidates belonging to the following category must have a NEET category certificate:
- EWS: Economically Weaker Section
- OBC-NCL: Other Backward Classes belonging to the Non-Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL)
- SC: Scheduled Caste
- ST: Scheduled Tribe
Types of NEET Category Certificates
All eligible aspirants must possess valid NEET category certificates in the prescribed format when applying for the NEET UG 2025 exam. The size of the scanned category certificate must be between 50 kb to 300 kb (clearly legible). Typically, there are three types of NEET Caste Certificate 2025 specified below:
SC/ST Certificate in NEET
The NEET SC/ST Certificate is issued to the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students. In the NEET UG 2025 exam, 15% of the seats in every course are reserved for Scheduled Caste (SC) students, while Scheduled Tribe (ST) students get 7.5% of seats in every course. This NEET caste certificate states that aspirants belong to the SC/ST category based on the latest guidelines of the Government of India.
OBC-NCL Certificate in NEET
The NEET OBC Certificate is issued to the Other Backward Classes belonging to the Non-Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL) category students. In the NEET UG 2025 exam, OBC candidates get a reservation of 27% of seats in every course. This NEET category certificate states that aspirants belong to the OBC category based on the latest guidelines of the Government of India.
EWS Certificate in NEET
The NEET EWS Certificate is issued to the General category belonging to the Economically Weaker Section. In the NEET UG 2025 exam, EWS candidates get a reservation of 10% of seats in every course. This NEET caste certificate states that aspirants belong to the EWS category based on the latest guidelines of the Government of India.
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Can I fill NEET Form Without the NEET Caste Certificate?
No. It is mandatory to have a NEET category certificate while filling out the application form. All the OBC, EWS, SC, and ST students need to provide their caste certificate number, issuing certificate authority name, and date of issuance of the NEET caste certificate.
How to Obtain a NEET Category Certificate?
There are various steps involved in obtaining the NEET Category Certificate. It also varies state-wise and union territory depending on the requirements. Here is the general guide to obtaining a NEET Certificate given below:
- Firstly, aspirants must ensure they belong to one of the categories such as OBC, SC, ST, or EWS before applying.
- They must have all the essential documents like identity proof, residence proof, and other required certificates.
- Now, fill out the entire caste certificate application form with valid details. They can collect the form from the revenue department, local district office, or online on the state government portal.
- After this, they must submit the NEET caste certificate form along with the required documents through the prescribed mode.
- Lastly, the concerned authorities will verify the details and documents. Upon verification, they will issue the NEET category certificate.
Documents Required for NEET Category Certificate
Aspirants must have all the necessary documents to collect the caste certificate for the NEET exam. The list of documents required for the NEET category certificate is as follows:
- Proof of Identity i.e. Aadhaar card, Passport, or Voter ID.
- Ration card, bank statement, or electricity bill that confirms the candidate’s residency in the particular state.
- Date of Birth certificate
- Passport Size Photograph
- Documents like salary slips, income tax returns, and a certificate from the employer as proof of their employment and income.
NEET Category Certificate-Important Guidelines
Some of the important guidelines about the NEET category certificate are shared below:
- The NEET category certificate must be a valid and accurate document issued by the concerned authorities. Any false information will directly lead to the disqualification of the candidature.
- Aspirants must ensure that the validity of their NEET caste certificate is up to date before applying for the NEET UG exam.
- OBC students must confirm that they belong to the Non-Creamy Layer. This implies that the certificate issued to them is based on the latest guidelines of the Government of India.
NEET Category Certificate – FAQs
Yes. NEET caste certificate is mandatory for candidates belonging to reserved categories like OBC, SC, ST, and EWS.
You must fill out the relevant application form and attach the required documents to collect the NEET category certificate.
There are various types of NEET category certificates such as SC/ST certificates, OBC-NCL certificates, and EWS certificates. All the details related to these certificates are shared above in the article.
The size of the scanned NEET category certificate must be between 50 kb to 300 kb (clearly legible) when filling out the form.