The move follows a September 2025 government resolution, based on the Hyderabad Gazetteer, allowing such applications across Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Beed, Hingoli, Jalna, Latur, Nanded, Dharashiv and Parbhani
Maharashtra Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil. File Pic
Maharashtra minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil on Tuesday asked officials to fast-track Kunbi caste certificate applications filed by Marathas in all eight Marathwada districts, according the PTI.
The move follows a September 2025 government resolution, based on the Hyderabad Gazetteer, allowing such applications across Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Beed, Hingoli, Jalna, Latur, Nanded, Dharashiv and Parbhani.
An official release said that Vikhe Patil instructed officials to ensure that no application remains pending and asked them to work proactively at the village level to clear cases. Chairing a meeting of the Maratha Reservation Sub-Committee at the Mantralaya in Mumbai, he said clear government orders have been issued for granting Maratha Kunbi caste and validity certificates and stressed that the process must strictly adhere to the resolution, as per the PTI.
He also directed divisional commissioners to regularly review the progress made by district administrations.
High-level meeting on issue
The meeting was attended by Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil, School Education Minister Dada Bhuse, former judge Sambhaji Shinde, and senior officials. Divisional Commissioner of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Jitendra Papalkar and collectors of all eight Marathwada districts participated via video conferencing.
Sambhaji Shinde, who has been appointed to determine the methodology for issuing OBC certificates to Marathas, will visit districts in Marathwada to guide officials and help speed up the distribution of certificates.
Number of applications processed
Vikhe Patil said the number of applications processed and certificates issued since September 2025 remains low and must be increased. Chandrakant Patil said students from the Maratha community are receiving educational benefits and called for better inter-departmental coordination for scholarships and fee reimbursements. School Education Minister Dada Bhuse urged officials to immediately clear pending applications and address procedural gaps, according to the PTI.
Officials also presented the current status of certificate distribution, stating that applications are being processed based on residence proof, family records and documents dated prior to 1967.
Kunbi caste certificates to Maratha community
In September last year, the state government announced the formation of a committee to issue Kunbi caste certificates to Maratha community members with historical evidence of Kunbi lineage. The Kunbi community, a traditional farming group, is classified as an Other Backward Class (OBC) in Maharashtra, making its members eligible for government reservations in education and employment.
(With PTI inputs)
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