What is an EWS certificate, and who is eligible for it, are questions you may have if you are a student planning your higher education. First, you must know that EWS stands for Economically Weaker Section, and an EWS certificate is a document issued to candidates with a family income below the prescribed EWS bracket. Using an EWS certificate, the holder can take advantage of reservations and subsidies put in place by the Government of India, which were introduced in 2019. EWS is a sub-category under the General category and is separate from other categories like Backwards Classes, ST, and SC.
Also Read: List of Documents Required for EWS Certificate
What is an EWS Certificate?
An EWS certificate is a government-issued income and asset certificate for Indian citizens belonging to the general (unreserved) category who meet specific income and asset criteria, proving they fall under the Economically Weaker Section. It serves as an eligibility requirement for a 10% reservation in central government jobs and educational institutions. The economically disadvantaged can access opportunities for housing, education, and employment, especially since there are no reservation policies for the general category, similar to SC, ST, or OBC reservation policies. Check the major highlights of the EWS certificate below:
Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
Full Form | Economically Weaker Section Certificate |
Purpose | To provide reservation benefits in education and government jobs to individuals belonging to the General category but with low family income. |
Issued By | Revenue Department or designated authority of the respective State/UT government (e.g., Tehsildar, SDM, or District Magistrate). |
Beneficiary Group | General (Unreserved) category candidates who are not covered under SC, ST, or OBC categories. |
Income Limit | Annual family income must be less than INR 8,00,000 from all sources. |
Property Criteria | Applicants must not own certain levels of agricultural land, residential flats, or plots beyond specified limits. |
Validity Period | Usually, 1 year from the date of issue (may vary by state). |
Use | Required for EWS quota in government jobs, central/ state educational institutions, and competitive exams (like UPSC, NEET, JEE, etc.). |
Verification Authority | The concerned State or District Revenue Officer verifies documents and eligibility before issuance. |
Document Type | An official certificate confirming that the applicant belongs to the Economically Weaker Section of society. |
Also Read: Benefits of Holding an EWS Certificate: Reservation and Subsidies
EWS Certificate Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for an EWS certificate, you must meet the criteria for the same set by the Government of India. Check the EWS certificate eligibility criteria below:
Eligibility Criteria | Details | Required Proof / Notes |
|---|---|---|
Category | Must belong to the General (Unreserved) category | Caste certificate not required; Aadhaar/ ID sufficient |
Annual Family Income | Less than INR 8,00,000 from all sources (previous financial year) | Income certificate, ITR, salary slips, bank statements |
Agricultural Land | Less than 5 acres | Land records/property papers |
Residential Plot | < 100 sq. yards in municipality OR < 200 sq. yards in non-municipality | Municipal property records/registry papers |
Residential Flat | < 1000 sq. ft | Registry papers/property documents |
Family Definition | Includes parents, spouse, and children | Birth/marriage certificates or ID proofs for all family members |
Exclusions | SC/ST/OBC (central list) are not eligible under EWS | Verify category certificates before applying |
EWS Certificate Application Process
The EWS certificate application process is simple, but you need to understand the stages involved in the same to ensure you do not make any mistakes during the process. Check the EWS certificate application process explained below:
Step | Process | Details / Documents Needed |
|---|---|---|
1. Check Eligibility | Ensure you belong to the General category, annual family income < INR 8,00,000, and do not hold excluded assets. | Income proof, land/ house details. |
2. Visit State Portal | Go to your state’s e-District / Revenue / Citizen Services portal. | Search: “<State> eDistrict EWS Certificate”. |
3. Register / Login | Create an account or log in via Aadhaar/DigiLocker. | Aadhaar, mobile number, email. |
4. Select EWS Service | Choose “Income & Asset / EWS Certificate” from the services list. | Fill applicant & family details. |
5. Upload Documents | Provide the required proofs. | Aadhaar, ID proof, address proof, income proof (ITR/salary slips), property docs, passport-size photo, affidavit if required. |
6. Pay Fees | Pay a nominal fee (varies by state). | Online payment through the portal. |
7. Verification | Revenue authority verifies details (may be physical or online). | Keep originals ready if called. |
8. Download Certificate | Once approved, download from the portal or access via DigiLocker. | Use for education, jobs, and reservations. |
We hope we were able to answer what an EWS certificate is and who is eligible for it through this article. Check the links below to learn more!
Related Articles:
| How to Apply for EWS Certificate Online: Step-by-Step Process | Common Mistakes to Avoid While Applying for EWS Certificate |
|---|---|
CAT 2025 Reservation Policy for OBC, SC, ST, EWS, PwD at IIMs |
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