OBC Certificate from 2021: Valid for NEET 2025?

Ans: Hi,
You need to produce the certificate according to the specifications provided by the NTA. The NTA requires candidates to be categorized as either creamy layer or non-creamy layer, along with their caste or community certificate. When applying for the community or caste certificate for the NEET exam, it is important to inform the officials of your status. Alternatively, you can visit the e-Seva center in your area, where they will guide you through the process.

For your reference, i have extracted the details from NEET bulletin.
Category: General, General-EWS, SC, ST & OBC-NCL are available in the
drop-down list under the Category option. Caste Certificate uploaded in
the Online Application Form of NEET (UG) – 2025, necessary document
(s) related to Caste / Community will be verified at the Counselling by
concerned Central/State Counselling Authority.
• Other Backward Classes (OBC-NCL)- Non-Creamy Layer as per the
Central List of Other Backward Classes available on National
Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC), Government of India
website (www.ncbc.nic.in). Thus, the candidates falling in this list
may mention OBC-NCL in the Category Column. State list OBC-NCL
Candidates who are not in OBC-NCL (Central List) must choose
General.
• Economically Weaker Section (EWS) - As per the OM No.
20013/01/2018-BC-II dated January 17, 2019, issued by the
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the OM No. 12-
4/2019-U1 dated 17.01.2019 as well as the Letters No 35-2/2019-
T.S.I dated 21.01.2019, 01.02.2019, 04.02.2019, and 15.02.2019 of
the MHRD Department of Higher Education (now known as Ministry
of Education) regarding the implementation of reservation for
Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) for admission in Central
Educational Institutions.

Ans: NEET generally requires a central government caste certificate, which should specify whether it is for NCL (Non-Creamy Layer) or Creamy Layer. It is advisable to apply for and obtain this certificate.

Ans: The validity of the caste certificate is only one year, ending every March of the respective year. Therefore, you need to update it, and they will accept the new one.

Ans: Hi Sona,
The validity of the caste certificate is one year. You may use the same certificate for application purposes, but you must have a valid one, including the creamy layer and Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) status, at the time of admission. Your admission will be based on this. Therefore, it is advisable to obtain a new certificate.
Best of Luck.
Poocho. LIfe Change Karo!