Need to change my caste from Schedule Caste to Maratha

In India, caste is considered a birth-based identity and cannot be legally changed. Unlike religion or name, which can be altered through proper legal procedures, caste is inherited from one's parents and is seen as a permanent social status. Indian laws, including various Supreme Court judgments, have repeatedly upheld that caste is determined by birth and cannot be changed by personal choice, marriage, adoption, or religious conversion. While a person may convert to another religion, their caste especially in the context of reservation benefits typically remains the same or may no longer be recognized for affirmative action, depending on the religion they adopt. However, in some rare cases, such as children born to parents of different castes, a few state governments (like Tamil Nadu) allow the child to choose either parent's caste for official documentation, but this is tightly regulated. What is legally allowed is the correction of caste details if there is an error in official records. For example, if someone's caste is mistakenly recorded on certificates, they can apply for a correction with proper documentary proof. Attempting to change one's caste fraudulently for example, to obtain a reserved category certificate can lead to serious legal consequences, including cancellation of benefits, disqualification from jobs or admissions, and even imprisonment. In short, while you can update or fix mistakes in caste records, legally changing your caste is not allowed in India.