Maratha Reservation: Step-by-Step Process To Apply For Kunbi Certificate
Maratha Reservation: Step-by-Step Process To Apply For Kunbi Certificate
Mumbai, September 4, 2025: In a significant move towards addressing the long-standing demand for Maratha reservation, the Maharashtra government has issued a Government Resolution (GR) to grant Kunbi caste certificates to eligible members of the Maratha community.
The decision comes after the agitation led by Manoj Jarange Patil at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan, which put strong pressure on the government. As per the GR, historical records from the Hyderabad Gazetteer of 1921 and 1931 will be considered while issuing Kunbi certificates. The records identify the Kunbi caste, also referred to as “Kapu,” as primarily engaged in agriculture.
To streamline the process, a three-member committee will be formed at the village level, comprising the revenue officer, gram panchayat officer, and agriculture officer.
How To Apply For A Kunbi Certificate:
Maratha applicants without proof of farmland ownership must submit an affidavit confirming that they or their ancestors resided in the respective area before October 13, 1967.
Based on this affidavit, competent authorities will conduct a local inquiry.
If the applicant’s family lineage connects to someone already holding a Kunbi certificate, the applicant will also be granted the same certificate.
The GR also incorporates recommendations made by the committee headed by retired Justice Sandeep Shinde, which surveyed Marathwada districts to trace Kunbi records. The committee has been given an extension until December 31, 2025, to complete further studies based on Hyderabad, Satara, and Bombay Gazetteers.
This decision is seen as a major step in paving the way for reservation benefits for the Maratha community.
