Tamil Nadu Cancels 954 ST Certificates Issued to Kanikkaran Community Outside Notified Areas

The Tamil Nadu government has directed all district collectors to identify and cancel Scheduled Tribe (ST) community certificates issued to members of the Kanikkaran/Kanikkar community from areas where the community is not recognised under the state's ST list.

In a communication, N. Subbaiyan, Secretary of the Department of Social Justice, noted that the Kanikkaran/Kanikkar community is recognised as a Scheduled Tribe only in Kanniyakumari district and in Shencottai and Ambasamudram taluks of Tenkasi district. Accordingly, ST certificates should only be issued to individuals from these regions.

However, data from the Tamil Nadu e-Governance Agency revealed that 954 ST certificates for the Kanikkaran/Kanikkar community were issued online between January 1, 2018, and May 26, 2026, in districts including Chengalpattu, Chennai, Cuddalore, Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Kancheepuram, Madurai, Ramanathapuram, Tiruvarur, and Vellore — all outside the notified areas.

A government order from 2005 states that the competent authority to issue SC/ST certificates must be the revenue authority of the locality where the applicant has their permanent residence at the time of the relevant Presidential Order. Therefore, a revenue authority from one district cannot issue a certificate for a person belonging to another district.

In a separate directive, Mr. Subbaiyan instructed collectors to ensure speedy issuance of community certificates to SC/ST applicants. He cited complaints of delays and reminded officials of the timelines prescribed in the Manual for Issuance and Verification of Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe Community Certificates: SC certificates must be issued by the Tahsildar within two days, and ST certificates by the Revenue Divisional Officer within one week. If detailed verification is needed, the application should be processed within 15 days, and the applicant must be informed accordingly.