How To Link Aadhaar Card To Caste Certificate

Once an Aadhaar Card is issued, the caste certificate or domicile certificate possessed by the person is linked to it. This process is taken care of by the State Government as the caste certificate is issued by them. The caste certificate categorizes people as SC/ST or most backward class people. The local administration in all states of the country needs to ensure that people are enrolled into the Aadhaar system and then complete the linking process with the caste certificate. Even the poorest of the economically backward class is eligible to get their Aadhaar card linked to the caste certificate to receive benefits announced by the Government. This is a tedious process with many bottlenecks however, continual efforts are being made to ensure the success of this initiative.

There are numerous benefits of getting the Aadhaar card linked to Caste Certificate. The government has rolled out this program through the State Governments and notices have been issued to ensure the completion. The major benefits of linking Aadhaar card to Caste Certificate are:

Availability of Scholarships

The students who fall into the category of backward class and SC/ST can avail scholarships for their education by authentication of their caste on Aadhaar card. The State Governments are responsible for linking the Aadhaar cards of students from 5th to 8th standards from the SC/ST category to the Aadhaar through caste certificates. There have been focused efforts to ensure that this activity is completed.

Admission to Colleges/Professional Institutes

With the help of this linkage, the economically backward students can gain free admissions and various other allowances for their higher studies. Aadhaar card offers the authentication that authorities require to offer these benefits. The process of linking Aadhaar card with the caste certificate has been made mandatory by the Central Government for taking admissions into prestigious institutions like IITs/IIMs and major universities across the country.

Reservation in Politics

Representing people in the political domain is much sought after in our country. Aadhaar card linked with caste will ensure transparency in any political body for fair representation of the people. The seat for any election constituency can be correctly based on the basis of population. This serves as a huge advantage to the deprived sections of the society who are often marginalised in such activities.

Government Employment

Any discrimination on the basis of caste will be reduced to a great extent with the help of Aadhaar – Caste linkage. Government jobs have reservations and quotas which have been misused in the past. With correct information and authentication through Aadhaar card, such malpractices can be eliminated and fairness in the system of Government recruiting can be brought about.

Attack Corruption

Aadhaar card provides authentic information about any resident of India. With the linkage of caste certificate, corruption can be eliminated at various stages of application for education, employment etc. as fake certificates can be easily spotted. Many have resorted to fake certificates to receive subsidies or gain admissions to prestigious institutions. Authorities have little control or ways to check the authenticity of the documents provided. Now, with the help of Aadhaar card and linked caste certificate, this problem is tackled to a great extent.

The primary responsibility of linking Aadhaar card to Caste certificate lies with the State Government. While the Aadhaar card is actually issued by a separate body called UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India), the State Government needs to get the actual ground work done.

• State Governments to drive efforts to ensure all people get an Aadhaar card.
• Caste Certificate or Domicile Certificate needs to be issued by the State Government.
• Government needs to link Aadhaar Card and Caste Certificate of all students in class 10 and 12 within a month or two of their admission.
• In case of the most backward class, the State Government shoulders the responsibility of this linkage irrespective of their education status.