Non-Creamy Layer Certificate (NCL Certificate)

1. It proves that the applicant is not from the economically advanced section of OBCs. 

1. It gives age relaxation and extra attempts in competitive exams. 

1. It is required to get admissions and jobs under the central government quota. 

Difference Between The Creamy and The Non-Creamy Layer of OBC  

The creamy layer does not include the OBC individuals from reservations who are wealthy, while the non-creamy layer includes economically disadvantaged OBCs. Mentioned below are some of the key differences between these: 

Eligibility for Non-Creamy Layer Certificate

To apply for a Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) certificate, you need to meet the following criteria:

1. Citizenship: You must be a citizen of India.
2. Income Criteria: Your parents' annual income should be below Rs.8 lakhs. This places you in the non-creamy layer of the Other Backwards Class (OBC) category.
3. Parent's Employment: Either of your parents should be employed as a Group C or Group D Central Government employee.
4. Spousal Consideration: If your husband is a Central Government employee and your parents do not have a stable source of income, you may still be eligible to apply for an NCL certificate.

Who is not eligible for the Non-Creamy Layer Certificate

If you belong to the Other Backwards Class (OBC) category, you will not be eligible to apply for a Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) certificate if any of the following conditions apply to you:

1. Caste Not Mentioned: If your caste is not included in the Central Government's list of OBC, even if it falls under Backward Class (BC) or Most Backward Class (MBC).
2. Parent's Employment: If either of your parents is employed in Group A services of the Central Government, such as IAS (Indian Administrative Service), IPS (Indian Police Service), or IFS (Indian Foreign Service).
3. Income Exceeds Rs.8 lakh: If your parent’s annual income exceeds Rs.8 lakh.

1. Parent's Employment Category: If your parents are employees of Group B in the Central Government or Group I in the State Government.

Income Criteria for Non-Creamy Layer Certificate 

The income eligibility for the Non-Creamy Layer certificate depends on the annual income of the applicant’s parents. Given below are the detailed criteria:  

1. The total parental income from all sources must not be more than Rs.8 lakh per year. 

1. Income from farming or agricultural activities is excluded from the total income calculation. 

1. Any additional income earned by the parents, apart from their primary job, is also considered. 

1. Income earned by parents working in the private sector is included in the calculation of total income. 

Documents Required for Obtaining a Non-Creamy Layer Certificate

These documents are required to be submitted while applying for an NCL/OBC certificate:

1. Identity Proof (any one document from the following):
   1. Aadhaar Card
   2. PAN Card
   3. Passport
   4. Driving License
   5. Voter ID Card

1. Address Proof (any one document from the following):
   1. Aadhaar Card
   2. Ration Card
   3. Passport
   4. Telephone Bill
   5. Electricity Bill
   6. Voter ID Card
   7. Property Tax Receipt

1. Caste Proof of the Parent or Relative (if parents are not present)
2. Proof of Caste before and after Marriage (if applicable)
3. Proof of Name Change for Married Women (if applicable)

1. Certificate from Muslim Societies (for Muslim applicants)
2. Documents of Home State (if applicable for migration)
3. Applicant's Photograph

How to Apply for a Non-Creamy Layer Certificate Offline

Applying for the Non-Creamy Layer certificate offline is a straightforward process. Just follow the steps outlined below:

Step 1: Obtain the application form from your nearby Tehsildar or Revenue office.

Step 2: Fill in the application form accurately with the required information.

Step 3: If you have migrated, provide the relevant documents related to your home state.

Step 4: If the father is not available, submit a blood relative's caste certificate.

Step 5: Sign the self-attestation section, attach a passport-size photograph, and submit the form along with the necessary documents.

Step 6: After verification, you can expect to receive your OBC certificate within 30 to 35 days from the submission date.

How to Apply for a Non-Creamy Layer Certificate Online

You can apply for the Non-Creamy Layer certificate online as well. It is a simple and convenient process. Just follow the steps given below:

Step 1: Visit the social welfare portal of your state.

Step 2: Look for the ‘Apply for Caste Certificate’ option and click on it.

Step 3: Create an account on the portal and fill out the online application form with the required details.

Step 4: Upload the necessary documents and submit your application. Note down the application ID provided to track your application's progress.

Step 5: Once the verification is complete, you can download the OBC certificate from the portal.

Fees and Charges for Non-Creamy Layer Certificate

In order to apply for a Non-Creamy Layer Certificate, a small fee is charged for processing and documentation services. These are as mentioned below: 

How to Check the Status of the Application  

To check the status of your Non-Creamy Layer Certificate. You need to follow the given below steps:  

1. Go to the social welfare portal of your state. 

1. Look for the option “Check Application Status” 

1. Fill in your application number  

1. The status will be displayed on the screen