HOW TO Obtain a Domicile Certificate

What is a Domicile Certificate and Why is it Needed?

A Domicile/Residence Certificate is generally issued to prove that the person bearing the Certificate is a Domicile/Resident of the State/UT by which the Certificate is being issued. This Certificate is required as proof of residence to avail Domicile/Resident Quotas in educational institutions and in the Government Service, as also in case of jobs where local residents are preferred.
What You Need to Do to Obtain a Domicile Certificate

The prescribed application forms are either available online or from the local authorities, i.e. the Sub-Divisional Magistrate/Tehsildar's office/Revenue Department/District Collector's Office, or any other authority as specified in the State/UT of your residence. You will be required to produce proof of continuous residence in the State/UT for a specified minimum period, or that of holding land in the State/UT, depending on the rules in the State/UT concerned. Documents for proving your identity, attestation of the form by officers with the necessary authority, school certificates and the Tehsil Enquiry Report may also be required.

Women not originally belonging to a State/UT, but married to men who are permanent residents of the State/UT or who are eligible for the State's/UT's Domicile Certificate, are eligible to apply for Domicile Certificate.

Note:

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HOW TO Obtain Death Certificate

What is a Death Certificate and Why is it Needed?

A Death Certificate is a document issued by the Government to the nearest relatives of the deceased, stating the date, fact and cause of death. It is essential to register death to prove the time and date of death, to establish the fact of death for relieving the individual from social, legal and official obligations, to enable settlement of property inheritance, and to authorise the family to collect insurance and other benefits.
The Legal Framework

In India, it is mandatory under the law (as per the Registration of Births & Deaths Act, 1969 (External website that opens in a new window)) to register every death with the concerned State/UT Government within 21 days of its occurrence. The Government accordingly has provided for a well-defined system for registration of Death, with the Registrar General, India, at the centre and the Chief Registrars in States, running through district registrars to the village and town registrars at the periphery.
What You Need to Do to Obtain a Death Certificate

A death can be reported and registered by the head of the family, in case it occurs in a house; by the medical in-charge if it occurs in a hospital; by the jail in-charge if it occurs in a jail; and by the headman of the village or the in-charge of the local police station in case the body is found deserted in that area.

To apply for a Death Certificate, you must first register the death. The death has to be registered with the concerned local authorities within 21 days of its occurrence, by filling up the form prescribed by the Registrar. Death Certificate is then issued after proper verification.

If a death is not registered within 21 days of its occurrence, permission from the Registrar/Area Magistrate, along with the fee prescribed in case of late registration, is required.

The application form in which you are required to apply is usually available with the area's local body authorities, or with the Registrar who maintains the Register of Deaths. You might also need to submit proof of birth of the deceased, an affidavit specifying the date and time of death, a copy of the ration card, and the required fee in the form of court fee stamps.

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HOW TO Obtain a Tribe Certificate

Scheduled Tribes as defined by the Law

Tribal population is found in various States and UTs of India. In the post-Independence period, all the tribal communities were grouped together as "Scheduled Tribes", under the Constitution.

The main criteria adopted for specifying communities as "Scheduled Tribes" include:

* Traditional occupation of a definite geographical area.
* Distinctive culture that includes a whole spectrum of tribal ways of life, i.e., language, customs, traditions, religious beliefs, arts and crafts, etc.
* Primitive traits depicting occupational pattern, economy, etc.
* Lack of educational and techno-economic development

The first specification of Scheduled Tribes in relation to a particular State/ Union Territory is by a notified order of the President, after consultation with the State Government concerned. These orders can be modified subsequently only through an Act of Parliament. As per Article 342 of the Constitution of India, the President, after consultation with the State Governments concerned, has promulgated 9 orders so far, specifying the Scheduled Tribes in relation to the concerned State and Union Territories.

Know more about the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950 (External website that opens in a new window).
What is a Tribe Certificate and Why Is it Needed?

A Tribe Certificate is the proof of ones belonging to a "Scheduled Tribe", as per the specifications mentioned in the Indian Constitution. The Government felt that the Scheduled Tribes need special encouragement and opportunities to progress at the same pace as the rest of the citizenry. As a result, as part of the Indian system of Protective Discrimination, there exist certain special privileges granted to this category of citizens, such as reservation of seats in the Legislatures and in the Government Service, waiving of a part or the whole of the fees for admission to schools and colleges, quotas in educational institutions, relaxation of upper age limits for applying to certain jobs,etc. To be able to avail these privileges, a citizen belonging to a Scheduled Tribe must be in possession of a valid Tribe Certificate.
How to Apply for a Tribe Certificate

People belonging to the tribes enlisted in the notified orders of the President can apply for obtaining a Tribe Certificate. Tribal development departments in some states provide certain online facilities such as downloading the concerned application form, details on tribal welfare schemes, etc., on their websites. Click on any of the States given below to access the 'Tribe Certificate' application form for that State.

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HOW TO Obtain Caste Certificate

What is a Caste Certificate and Why is it Needed?

A Caste Certificate is the proof of one's belonging to a particular caste, especially in case one belongs to any of the 'Scheduled Castes', as specified in the Indian Constitution. The Government felt that the Scheduled Castes and Tribes need special encouragement and opportunities to progress at the same pace as the rest of the citizenry. As a result, as part of the Indian system of Protective Discrimination, there exist certain special privileges granted to this category of citizens, such as reservation of seats in the Legislatures and in the Government Service, waiving off a part or the whole of the fees for admission to schools and colleges, quotas in educational institutions, relaxation of upper age limits for applying to certain jobs, etc. To be able to avail these privileges, a citizen belonging to a Scheduled Caste must be in possession of a valid Caste Certificate.
The Legal Framework

The statutory lists of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes, in pursuance of Articles 341 and 342 of the Indian Constitution, were notified for the first time under the Constitution (Schedule Castes) Order, 1950 and the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950. These lists have been modified/amended/supplemented from time to time. On the reorganisation of the States, the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes List (Modification) Order came into force from 29th October, 1956. Thereafter, a few other orders in respect of the Scheduled Castes and Tribes list in some individual States also came into force.

Know more about the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950 (External website that opens in a new window).
What You Need to Do to Get a Caste Certificate

The application forms are available either online or from the concerned local office in the City/Town/Village, which is usually the office of the SDM (Sub-Divisional Magistrate) or of the Tehsil or Revenue Department. In case none of your family members have earlier been issued a Caste Certificate, a local enquiry is conducted before issuing the Certificate to you. Proof of residence in your State for a minimum specified period, an affidavit stating that you belong to a Scheduled Caste, and the specified court stamp fee are required at the time of application.

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HOW TO Obtain Marriage Certificate

What is a Marriage Certificate and Why is it Needed?

A Marriage Certificate is the proof of registration of a marriage. The need for a Marriage Certificate arises in case you need to prove that you are legally married to someone, for purposes like obtaining a passport, changing your maiden name, etc.
Legal Framework

In India, a marriage can be registered under either of the two Marriage Acts: the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 (External website that opens in a new window) or the Special Marriage Act, 1954 (External website that opens in a new window). To be eligible for marriage, the minimum age limit is 21 for males and 18 for females. The parties to a Hindu marriage should be unmarried or divorced, or if previously married, the spouse by that marriage should not be alive. In addition, the parties should be physically and mentally healthy and must not be related in a way prohibited by the law.

The Hindu Marriage Act is applicable only to the Hindus, whereas the Special Marriage Act is applicable to all citizens of India.

The Hindu Marriage Act provides for registration of an already solemnised marriage. It does not provide for solemnisation of a marriage by the Registrar. The Special Marriage Act provides for solemnisation of a marriage as well as registration by a Marriage Officer.
What You Need to Do to Obtain a Marriage Certificate
Under the Hindu Marriage Act:

Parties to the marriage have to apply to the Registrar in whose jurisdiction the marriage is solemnised or to the Registrar in whose jurisdiction either party to the marriage has been residing at least for six months immediately preceding the date of marriage. Both the parties have to appear before the Registrar along with their parents or guardians or other witnesses within one month from the date of marriage. There is a provision for condonation of delay up to 5 years, by the Registrar, and thereafter by the District Registrar concerned.
Under the Special Marriage Act:

The parties to the intended marriage have to give a notice to the Marriage Officer in whose jurisdiction at least one of the parties has resided for not less than 30 days prior to the date of notice. It should be affixed at some conspicuous place in his office. If either of the parties is residing in the area of another Marriage Officer, a copy of the notice should be sent to him for similar publication. The marriage may be solemnised after the expiry of one month from the date of publication of the notice, if no objections are received. If any objections are received, the Marriage Officer has to enquire into them and take a decision either to solemnise the marriage or to refuse it. Registration will be done after solemnisation of the marriage.

Any marriage already celebrated can also be registered under the Special Marriage Act after giving a public notice of 30 days, subject to conditions. However, as stated above, the bridegroom and the bride must have completed 21 years and 18 years of age respectively.

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HOW TO Obtain Driving Licence

What is a Driving Licence and Why is it Necessary?

A Driving Licence is an official document certifying that the holder is suitably qualified to drive a motor vehicle or vehicles. Under the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (External website that opens in a new window) in India, no person can drive a motor vehicle in any public place unless he holds a valid Driving Licence issued to him, authorising him to drive a vehicle of that particular category.

In India, two kinds of Driving Licences are issued: Learner's Licence and Permanent Licence. Learner's Licence is valid only for six months. Permanent Licence can be availed only after the expiry of one month from the date of issuance of the Learner's Licence.
What You Need to Do to Obtain a Driving Licence

A Learner's Licence is essential for obtaining a Permanent Licence. The eligibility for obtaining a Learner's Licence for a private motor vehicle for a vehicle of 50 CC engine capacity and without any gear, is 16 years (if the applicant's parents or guardians give their consent). The minimum age to apply for a permanent licence to drive a private motor vehicle is 18 years.

A person who is at least 20 years old and possesses a Learner's License can obtain a Licence for driving a commercial vehicle. Also, one has to be conversant with the traffic rules and regulations in all the cases.

For obtaining a Learner's Licence, you will need to apply in the prescribed format to the Local Transport Office in your region, along with your passport-sized photographs, proof of your age and residence, declaration of medical fitness and the required fee. After verification of your documents, you will have to go through the Learner's Test. Usually a handbook of traffic rules, signs and regulations is provided with the application form. On passing the Learner's Test, you will be issued a Learner's Licence. If you fail the test, you will be given a chance to take the test again.

For obtaining a Permanent Licence, you must have a valid Learner's Licence, and must apply after 30 days and within 180 days of issue of the Learner's Licence. You should be conversant about vehicle systems, driving, traffic rules regulations. You will be put through a driving test, for which you must bring a vehicle with you. On passing the test, you will be issued a Permanent Driving Licence.
International Driving Licence

The motor licensing authority also issues International Driving Licence to the citizens of India. Application for the International Driving Licence can be made to the licensing authority having jurisdiction over the area in which the holder of the driving licence ordinarily resides or carries on business, along with relevant documents. Citizens of India may drive in foreign countries with an International Driving Licence, which has the maximum validity of one year. Citizens are required to get their licence from the country they're visiting within one year period. Following documents are to be produced at the time of applying for an International Driving Permit :-

* Valid driving licence
* Attested copy of address proof
* Attested copy of Birth Certificate
* Valid passport
* Valid Visa
* Required Fees
* Two passport size photograph.

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Human Development Reports 2009

Human Development Reports 2009 on Kerala by
UNDP (United Nations Development Programme)

Human Development Report-Madapally PANCHAYAT

District Human Development Report Kannur

District Human Development Report 2009 Ernakulam district

District Human Development Report-Wayanad

District Human Development Report-Kottayam

Human Development Report 2009 by United Nations Development Programme(UNDP) on Kottathara PANCHAYAT

Courtesy: UNDP Cell ,Kerala State Planning Board

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