Tue Dec 16 05:26:27 UTC 2025: Summary:
The article highlights the struggles faced by single mothers, especially those from Scheduled Caste (SC) communities in Bengaluru slums, in obtaining caste certificates and scholarships for their children. Due to rigid documentation requirements, particularly the insistence on the father’s Transfer Certificate (TC) despite the father’s absence or lack of formal education, many children are denied benefits and are effectively punished for their parents’ circumstances. The article notes the differential treatment of certain sub-castes, lack of awareness about welfare schemes, and the limitations of software-driven processes that create roadblocks. While some states like Rajasthan and Delhi have provisions for issuing caste certificates based on the mother’s name, Karnataka’s system continues to pose challenges. The article ends with the acknowledgment from Revenue Department officials of internal discussions regarding revisiting the policy for children of abandoned or single women, contingent upon a clear government policy to prevent misuse.
News Article:
Bengaluru Slum Dwellers Denied Scholarships Due to Outdated Documentation Rules
Bengaluru, December 16, 2025 – Single mothers from Scheduled Caste (SC) communities in Bengaluru slums are facing significant hurdles in securing caste certificates and scholarships for their children, a new report reveals. A survey by the Slum Mahila Sanghatane exposes how rigid documentation rules, particularly the requirement of the father’s Transfer Certificate (TC), are denying underprivileged children access to crucial benefits.
“If men and women are equal, why are my documents not accepted for my children’s scholarship?” questioned Saraswati M., a sanitation worker and single mother from Bhangi Colony in Bengaluru.
The insistence on the father’s TC, even when deceased or uneducated, effectively erases women as legal parents and prevents children from receiving assistance. Women interviewed cited instances where applications were rejected even when the father’s TC was provided but deemed invalid due to the father’s education outside of Karnataka.
The report further details how many women in these slums are illiterate themselves, making it impossible to obtain the required documents. They argue that the system unfairly punishes children for their parents’ lack of education, perpetuating a cycle of exclusion.
“Welfare schemes meant for SC communities never reach the families they are intended for,” alleged Kamala, a resident of Jai Bheem Nagar.
While some states like Rajasthan and Delhi allow caste certificates to be issued based on the mother’s credentials, Karnataka remains tied to a father-centric system.
Officials from the Revenue Department acknowledge the issue and stated that discussions are underway within the Karnataka government to revise the policy for children of single or abandoned women. However, they caution that any changes would require a clear government policy to prevent potential misuse. The current software-driven system, designed to mandate specific documents, also presents a significant obstacle to accommodating the unique circumstances of these families. The inability to process applications without the correct paternal documentation continues to deny children of single mothers access to vital educational opportunities.
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