Madras HC Directs Government To Issue “No Caste No Religion” Certificates [Read Judgment]

Madras: The Madras High Court has delivered a landmark judgment directing the Tamil Nadu Government to issue certificates recognizing citizens as not belonging to any caste or religion — a significant step towards promoting a casteless and religion-free society.

A bench comprising Justice M.S. Ramesh and Justice N. Senthilkumar made crucial observations on constitutional rights and individual freedom of conscience in its judgment delivered on June 10, 2025.

The court was hearing a writ appeal filed by H. Santhosh against the District Collector and other revenue authorities of Thirupathur District. The court observed, “The paramount issue that arises for adjudication in this appeal is whether an Indian citizen can claim the issuance of a certificate recognizing him as not belonging to any caste or religion.”

Referring to the constitutional mandate, the court stated, “Article 25 of the Constitution of India guarantees the freedom of religion to all individuals by holding that every person has the right to freely profess, practice, and propagate their religion. The State is under a constitutional obligation to implement the intention and object of Article 25 — and in this case, to recognize the freedom of conscience of an individual to choose their own religious beliefs.”

Criticizing inconsistencies in government practice, the court noted, “The submission appears paradoxical, as we have been provided with three copies of certificates issued by the Tahsildars of Tirupathur (05.02.2019), Coimbatore (27.05.2022), and Ambattur (18.08.2022), all certifying the beneficiaries as not belonging to any caste or religion.”

In a specific directive, the court ordered, “We call upon the Government of Tamil Nadu to pass the necessary Government Orders, with specific instructions to the Revenue Authorities to positively entertain applications seeking the grant of a certificate of ‘No Caste No Religion’.”

Emphasizing the broader social implications, the bench remarked, “We are of the considered view that the appellant’s request to have himself and his family members certified as not belonging to any caste or religion is a laudable one, which, in the long run, would promote the prohibition of caste-based discrimination and serve as an eye-opener for like-minded citizens.”

The appellant, H. Santhosh — who is married to D. Suganya and has two children — had declared in his affidavit that he intends to raise his children in a casteless and religion-free society and has never claimed any benefits under caste or religious reservations.

The court has directed the District Collector and the Tahsildar of Thirupathur District to issue the “No Caste No Religion” certificate to the appellant within one month of receiving a copy of the judgment.

This decision overturns the earlier order dated January 22, 2024, which had rejected the appellant’s request on the grounds that the revenue authorities were not empowered by the government to issue such certificates.

Case Title: H. Santhosh vs. The District Collector, Thirupathur District & Ors.

Advocates: Mr. S.N. Subramani for Mr. M. Navin Kumar appeared for the appellant; Mr. A. Selvendran, Special Government Pleader, appeared for the respondents.

[Read Judgment]