EWS Certificate - Eligibility, Application, and Benefits

Note: Candidates under the EWS category are not eligible for the reservation schemes under the SC, ST, and OBC category. 

Highlights of EWS Certificate

The following are some of the key highlights of EWS certificate: 

Purpose of EWS Certificate in India

The following are the objectives of EWS Bill:

1. Provide opportunities to deprived individuals
2. Provides a 10% reservation facility to the economically backward applicants of the General category
3. The government provides reservations based on income

Note: Other castes are exempted from availing of this facility

Benefits of EWS Certificate

Here are the benefits of the EWS certificate: 

1. Helps those individuals under the General category who are financially weak
2. Enables applicants to avail benefits in the education field and government schemes
3. The EWS reservation of 10% is applicable for all major universities under UGC
4. Applicants can avail of the state government and the central government subsidy schemes using an EWS certificate.

Eligibility Criteria of EWS Certificate

Here are the eligibility criteria for applying for an EWS certificate:

1. Candidate must belong only to the General category
2. Per annum family income should be less than Rs.8 lakh
3. Candidates should not have agricultural land not more than 5 acres of area
4. Candidates must have a residential property not more than 100 sq. feet of area
5. Residential plots owned in the notified municipality sector should be below 100 sq. yards
6. Residential plots owned in the non-notified municipality sector should be below 240 sq. Yards

Note:  

1. Family income includes income from sources such as salary, business, agriculture, private job, etc. 
2. Family includes the members such as self, the applicant’s parents, spouse, children and siblings below 18 years of age. 

Documents Required for EWS Certificate

The following are the essential documents that are required to apply for EWS certificate: 

1. Passport-size photographs 

1. Proof of identity, such as Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Driving License, or Ration Card 

1. Community Certificate 

1. Affidavit 

1. Income Tax Return copies, duly attested by an authorized Chartered Accountant 

1. Property-related documents, if applicable 

How to Apply for EWS Certificate?

EWS certificate applicants can fill out applications both online and offline depending on the policy of the state government.

Online Mode

The following are the steps to apply for an EWS certificate online:

Step 1: Visit the official portal of your state’s e-District. 

Step 2: Search for the application forms and select the form ‘Issuance of Income and Assets Certificate for EWS’. 

Step 3: Complete the application form correctly and attach the required documents. 

Step 4: Pay the required fee and submit your application form. 

Offline Mode 

The following are the steps to apply for an EWS certificate offline: 

1. Visit the revenue department or the issuing authority’s office in your region
2. Get the application form or download it online
3. Fill in the required details as mentioned in the form
4. Make the payment to receive the application receipt

Fees for Getting an EWS Certificate 

The fee for obtaining an EWS Certificate varies depending on the application mode: 

Note: In some states, such as Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, the EWS Certificate is issued free of cost.

How to Check EWS Certificate Status?

Applicants can check their EWS certificate application status online by visiting  on the respective state-wise  website and following the steps given below :

• Log in or register by filling out the details. 
• After logging in, enter your application details. 
• View the status of your application. 

Common Errors to Avoid While Applying for an EWS Certificate

While applying for an EWS Certificate, you should be careful to avoid the following common mistakes: 

1. Not fully understanding eligibility criteria before applying 

1. Providing incorrect or incomplete information in the application form 

1. Failing to verify or confirm the application after submission 

1. Ignoring official instructions or guidelines during the process 

1. Not submitting all the required documents 

Difference Between EWS certificate and OBC certificate 

The following are the differences between EWS certificate and OBC certificate: