Any document that carries certified information about a particular topic/ subject or purpose is called a certificate. It serves many purposes like offering proof of evidence, explicitly mentioning authority or ownership of an entity or object, respectful titles, or association with an event in any manner. Certificates are generally used throughout our lives; some common ones like medical and academic certificates are worth mentioning here. Educational certificates are issued on account of successful completion of a course from a particular institution, whereas medical certificates are issued based on the fitness criteria of the applicant.
Certification is the process or means through which a person is certified or attested to a particular subject or proof of belonging to a particular company or organisation. Educational institutions or other organisations issue certificates to account for a candidate’s merit or to indicate their performance. Companies issue certificates to highlight accreditation, accountability, audit purposes, and assessment of institutions. There are many kinds of variations in certificates. We discussed common types in the next segment, read on to know more.
Types of Certificates
Based on the scenario and context in question, certificates of different types are issued to candidates. On a general basis, they are classified into:
- Academic Certificates
- Professional Certificates
- Cyber Security Certificates
- Digital Certifications
- Medical Certificate
- Character Certificate
- Community Certificate
Academic Certificates
Certificates indicating the academic performance or achievement of a student are termed as academic certificates. They generally indicate the scores attained or level achieved by the candidate. After clearing any exams/ tests or attaining a certain level of education, candidates receive certificates from respective institutions. Common types under this category are:
- Matriculation Certificate
- Provisional Certificate
- Gap Certificate
- Bonafide Certificate
- SSLC Certificate
- Transfer Certificate
- Study Certificate
- CDA Certificate
- PUC Certificate
- PSTM Certificate
- UGC Certificate
- Degree Certificate
- CTET Certificate
- Web Development Certificate
- GED Certificate
- No Dues Certificate
- NCC Certificate
- Teaching Experience Certificate
Professional Certificates
Certificates issued by prospective companies, training institutions, professional societies, universities, or organisations where a candidate does an internship are called professional certificates. These certificates highlight the candidate’s necessary skills, experience, knowledge, and domain understanding with respect to a particular field or are or work or research.
It is job-specific and helps a candidate climb the professional ladder of his career. Usually, a third party provides the attested document on the candidate’s acquisition of the aforementioned skills. Professional certificates are offered in four groups:
- Product Specific Certifications
- Registration Certificate
- Profession Wide Certifications
- Internal Certifications
- Migration Certificate
- Salary Certificate
- Experience Certificate
- TDS Certificate
- Internship Certificate
- Income Certificate
- GST Certificate
- Residence Certificate
- NOC Certificate
- Nativity Certificate
- Registration Certificate
- SSL Certificates
- SC Certificate
- Service Certificate
- Accounting Certificate
Community Certificate
India is divided into many social, economic, and religious groups. Based on the designated social groups of classification, the government authorities issue community certificates to candidates indicating details about their community, caste, sub-caste, etc. This is, in general, called a community certificate. Individuals claiming reservations in employment, education, seat allocation, etc., should provide this community certificate as a document of proof to the concerned authority.
The Constitution of India has identified several categories under the social classification, namely, Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Other Backward Classes, etc. Almost all government exams and job vacancies are quoted with reservations allotted to these designated social castes. They are given special benefits when the reservation is claimed by providing the community certificate.
- Self Declaration of Minority Community Certificate
- Caste Certificate
- Birth Certificate
- Death Certificate
- SC Certificate
- OBC Certificate
- Life Certificate
- Disability Certificate
- Online Birth Certificate
- Marriage Certificate Online
- Legal Heir Certificate
- EWS Certificate
- Baptism Certificate
- Integrated Certificate
- Tax Exempt Certificate
Character Certificate
A character certificate, also popularly referred to as a ‘police certificate’ in India, is generally provided by government authorities, police officials, and designated departments indicating that the prospective candidate does not hold any criminal record nor has been tried under any criminal proceedings under official records.
- Police Clearance Certificate
- Police Verification Certificate
- Conduct Certificate
- Notary Certificate
- No Objection Certificate
- Certificate of Appreciation
Cyber Security Certificates
User data security and privacy are the most crucial elements in online transactions. Cyber security certificates are generally offered in the form of standards and techniques incorporated to display the kind of safety incorporated in any particular online transaction. Malicious programs and spyware, including viruses and Trojans, worms, rootkits, logic bombs, and back doors, induce risk on online platforms.
This results in data theft, the introduction of malicious software into systems, and the hacking of crucial data. To inhibit these occurrences, tools, programs, and software that ensure data security should be incorporated. Cyber Security certificates reflect security compliances, cyber security company guidelines, online safety policies, risk management practices, best policies adopted, and technologies adopted to beat cyber security loopholes.
Digital Certificate
Digital certificates are popularly known as ‘public key certificates.’ Between online users and the website, information exchange happens with the help of an ‘electronic key’ in an encrypted format. When the internet initially started its operations, the number of users was relatively less, and there were fewer requirements to look into the aspects of data safety and security. With increasing cyber crimes, there needs to be a way to keep cybercrimes at bay; hence, implementing digital certificates is considered compulsory. Digital certificates thus serve as a sure-shot solution to the problems created in the online digital world against data exploitation, theft, stealing sensitive data like passwords, and loss of money by fraudulent ways.
Medical Certificate
Recognised medical practitioners and doctors from the medical profession are qualified persons to issue a medical certificate to their patients attesting to their wellness or medical fitness for submission to companies or educational institutions. It also officially reflects the medical examination results performed on a patient. Some of the general purposes where medical certificates play an important role are employment, filing for insurance claims, claiming tax benefits, and legal proceedings.
Medical certificates that indicate the bad health of any prospective candidate could double up as a sick note or a reason for not offering employment on medical grounds. Students who submit medical certificates for taking leave from classes shall be duly considered. In other cases, a medical certificate could also act as a fitness certificate stating that a candidate is free from any kind of contagious disease, mental disorders, or other health issues.
- Medical Certificate Format
- Physical Fitness Certificate
- Medical Fitness Certificate
- Health Certificate
Other Certificates
Below is a list of other important certificates that we use for a general purpose in our everyday life. Some of them are:
- Estoppel Certificate
- Certificate of Excellence
- Data Science Certificate
- Encumbrance Certificate
- MSME Certificate
- CCC Certificate
- Elevation Certificate
- E-District Certificate
- Jeevan Pramaan Certificate
- Adoption Certificate
- Honor Roll Certificate
- Ordination Certificate
- Reseller Certificate
- Paralegal Certificate
- Ownership Certificate
- BIS Certificate
- Family Member Certificate
- First Aid Certificate
- Population Certificate
- NIOS Certificate
- NCL Certificate
- Incumbency Certificate
- Sports Certificate
- Essentiality Certificate
- Unmarried Certificate
- TENGA Verify Certificate
- CA Certificate
- Felicitation Certificate
- edX Certificate
- IELTS Certificate
- SBI Certificate
- ALISON Certificate
- NSDC Certificate
- Training Certificate
- Fire Safety Certificate
- NEBOSH Certificate
- Backlog Certificate
- NSIC Certificate
- Merit Certificate
- Participation Certificate
- Volunteer Certificate
- EBC certificate
- Attendance Certificate
- Blood Donation Certificate
- Dealership Certificate
- Project certificate
- Transcript Certificate
- Udyog Aadhaar Registration Certificate
- Conference Certificate
- Completion Certificate
- PMGDISHA Certificate
- O Level Certificate
- Leaving Certificate
- Viklang Certificate
- CVC Certificate
- Workshop Certificate
- Vilangam Certificate
- Military Payment Certificate
- Photography gift certificate
- CRL Certificate
- Georgia Resale Certificate
- Preschool Graduation Certificate
- Sellback Certificate
- Rabies Certificate
- National Career Readiness Certificate[NCRC]
- Ordination Certificate
- Honor Roll Certificate
- CBSE Migration Certificate
- Nonprofit Management Certificate
- Flood Elevation Certificate
- Student Pilot Certificate
- Age Certificate
Certificates are Bonafide documents that offer valid and attested facts and information. Certificates are required for academic purposes, professional uses, and employment requirements, amongst other areas. Medical certificates define the fitness or illness prevalent with the prospective candidate. Similarly, with the advent of information technology, data security and personal data safety have become crucial in online transactions, so digital certificates play a crucial role. In this manner, every certificate serves a specific purpose for society and is issued upon meeting certain conditions and criteria.
FAQs on Certificates
1. What do you mean by certificate?
A valid document containing certified information or attested data about particular subjects or areas of operation are popularly known as a certificate.
2. What is a community certificate?
A government issued document that certifies a particular individual as belonging to a particular community or social caste is commonly known as a community certificate.
3. What is a matriculation certificate?
Candidates who have successfully cleared their class 10 exams from any government recognised boards are awarded a matriculation certificate by the concerned government authority. The term was coined at the time of British rule but is still prevalent in modern times.
4. What is a gap certificate?
A self-declaration document created using a non-judicial stamp paper justifies a candidate’s break-in academics due to personal or specific reasons for a gap certificate.
5. What is a provisional certificate?
When a student has cleared a particular exam but is yet to receive the official certificate from the educational board, the educational institution where he studied can issue him a provisional certificate reflecting the results he obtained in the cleared exam.