The Permanent Residence Certificate (PRC) has emerged as a major flashpoint amid Karnataka's ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. However, the state government has been quick to clarify that the PRC is not a citizenship document — it merely certifies that a person is a permanent resident of Karnataka, a status useful for accessing education, government jobs, and scholarships.
The certificate scheme was rolled out by the Congress-led state government in direct response to the Election Commission's SIR exercise, which mandates that voters provide specific proof of residence to remain on the electoral rolls. With this context in mind, the Revenue Department explained that the initiative is intended to help citizens who lack the usual documentation, allowing them to use the PRC instead to safeguard their place on the voter list.
The state government has further pointed out that Election Commission norms permit the use of residency certificates issued by a competent state authorityfor this purpose.
The PRC initiative was launched by the Congress government in response to the Election Commission's ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, which requires voters to submit specific documentation to keep their names on the voter list.
Against this backdrop, the Revenue Department said the campaign has been launched to ensure that eligible citizens who lack the required standard documents can rely on the PRC to ensure their names are retained on the electoral roll.
Besides, the Election Commission’s guidelines permit residency certificates issued by a competent state authority, argued the state government.
What is BJP's objection?
With the Karnataka government’s move to deliver PRCs and caste certificates triggering a political debate across the country, the BJP has raised objections.
BJP leaders have questioned the timing of the launch of the PRC service while the SIR exercise is underway, and alleging that it is politically motivated. They have alleged that the Constitution does not provide for a separate category called a "Permanent Residence Certificate", and that the certificate could be misused, and may also benefit illegal immigrants.
Government's response
The Karnataka government has rejected these allegations. It has clarified that the PRC is not a new citizenship document but a standardised and streamlined version of the residence certificate system that has been in use in the state for a long time.
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According to the Karnataka government's official position, the campaign has been launched to ensure that eligible citizens are not denied government services or excluded from the electoral rolls due to a lack of documentation.
How citizens can apply for PRC?
Citizens can apply through Nadakacheri, Grama One, Karnataka One, Bangalore One, Common Service Centres (CSCs), Bapuji Seva Kendras or online.
The government said the service's objective of the service is to establish a uniform, transparent and legally compliant procedure for issuing permanent residence certificates in Karnataka.
After due verification, the tahsildar (Grade-2) will issue the certificate after confirming that the applicant is a genuine and permanent resident of Karnataka. The Assistant Commissioner will serve as the appellate authority, while the deputy commissioner will be the revisional authority.
The following criteria will be considered while determining eligibility:The applicant should have been born in Karnataka.
The applicant, or their parents or legal guardians, should have resided in Karnataka for at least 10 years.
The applicant should have studied for a minimum of 10 academic years in recognised educational institutions in Karnataka.
The applicant's parents, legal guardians or spouse should be permanent residents of Karnataka.
The applicant should own, legally inherit or be in lawful possession or use of residential or other immovable property in Karnataka.
Doorstep delivery of caste certificates
Meanwhile, according to the Revenue Department, around 4.85 crore digital caste certificates have been sorted village-wise and handed over to deputy commissioners. The process of printing and delivering them to beneficiaries' homes has begun as well.
After delivering the certificates, officials will record the beneficiary's mobile number and upload the delivery details through a dedicated mobile application.
These caste certificates are available to the public through four modes:
Doorstep delivery: Printed certificates will be delivered directly to beneficiaries' homes.
Download through the website: Citizens can download the certificate free of cost from the dedicated portal using the RD number, ration card number or Aadhaar number.
Hobli-level help centres: Help centres have been set up in every hobli, where citizens can download and print their certificates free of cost.
WhatsApp and SMS: Download links have already been sent to around 85 lakh beneficiaries through WhatsApp or SMS.
(This article was originally published in The Federal Karnataka)
