The Court noted that such a system would do away with the "unwanted and unbridled discretion" currently left with the executing authorities.

A Bench of Justice Saumitra Dayal Singh and Justice Swarupama Chaturvedi observed thus while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the UP Koli Kori Pratinidhi Sabha.

The petitioner's body had raised concerns regarding the wrongful issuance of caste certificates to persons belonging to the 'Koli' caste, which is not a Scheduled Caste (SC) under the guise of the phonetically similar 'Kori' caste, which is a recognised Scheduled Caste.

The petition stated that though the Scheduled Castes for which appropriate certificates may be issued are governed by the Presidential Order, the local authorities issue certificates to persons not belonging to those castes, but to castes that may sound (phonetically) similar or be spelt similarly.

Though no one appeared before the bench to press the petition, the Court heard Additional Advocate General Manish Goyal, assisted by Additional Chief Standing Counsel AK Goyal and Standing Counsel Ankit Gaur, appearing for the State-respondents.

The Bench highlighted that the current verification process vests excessive power in lower-level officials.

" Prima facie, it appears that at present technology enables the State to offer robust and transparent software-based certification for members of the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and OBCs, etc., throughout the State. This would do away with the unwanted and unbridled discretion currently left with the executing authorities, often not above the rank of Tehsildar, to issue doubtful or incorrect certificates”, the Court observed.

Therefore, the bench suggested that the State Government adopt digital verification models that are already standard practice in other sectors.

The bench added that unique numbering and QR code-enabled verification procedures may also be made available.

"Such measures, if adopted, may also allow for proper audits and checks as well as credible means to verify genuine certificates issued by the State authorities”, the bench noted.

In view of these observations of the bench, the Additional Advocate General prayed for time to obtain comprehensive instructions.

Accordingly, the bench directed that the matter be listed again on July 23, 2026, amongst the top 10 cases.