On November 7th, 2022, the Supreme Court of India upheld the validity of the 103rd Amendment Act, 2019 which introduced a 10% reservation in education and government jobs in India for a section of the General category candidates. The constitutional bench set up by the Supreme Court upheld the decision by a 3:2 majority.
EWS Reservation Eligibility (EWS Criteria)
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The Parliament amended the Constitution of India in January 2019 to provide for a 10% reservation in education and government jobs for a section of the General category candidates. The amendment was challenged questioning the constitutional validity of economic reservations. The EWS certificate is a topic you find often in the daily news in the larger concept of reservations itself. Hence, the topics of EWS certificate, EWS reservations, EWS certificate criteria, etc. are important from the IAS exam point of view.
Know all about the EWS reservation, EWS certificate criteria, EWS criteria, who all are eligible for the EWS quota, how to apply for EWS reservation in the UPSC exam application, etc.
For more details, one can check the UPSC Online in the linked article.
Along with EWS Reservation Eligibility, get familiar with relevant articles on UPSC eligibility:
| UPSC Age Limit for SC & ST Category | PH Criteria for UPSC |
| IPS Eligibility | Ten things every PH candidate should know |
| Ex-servicemen in UPSC | Different Steps to Assist in Clearing Fitness Exam for IPS |
Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) Reservation
The government has introduced a 10% EWS reservation for general category candidates. This is for all those candidates who are not covered under any reservations (such as OBC, SC, ST and except PH and Ex-servicemen criteria) and belong to economically backward sections. In this article, we give you all the details of the EWS Criteria.
| Compliment your UPSC CSE preparation with the help of the links given below: |
EWS Certificate – Who is eligible to claim EWS Quota?
The government has laid down certain eligibility conditions for candidates to be able to claim reservations under this new category. EWS full form is ‘Economically Weaker Section’.
To be eligible for the EWS certificate, you will have to satisfy all the conditions mentioned below (EWS Criteria):
- You should be a ‘general’ candidate (not covered under reservation for SC, ST or OBC).
- Your family’s gross annual income should be below Rs. 8 lakhs. This includes income from all sources such as agriculture, salary, business, etc. for the financial year before you apply for the exam.
- Your family should not own agricultural land of size 5 acres or more.
- Your family should not own a residential flat of area 1000 square feet or more.
- Your family should not own a residential plot (in notified municipalities) of an area 100 square yards or more.
- Your family should not own a residential plot (other than in notified municipalities) of area 200 square yards or more.
What is ‘Family’ according to the EWS Reservation rules?
For this reservation, ‘family’ includes the following:
- The person seeking the reservation.
- His/her parents.
- His/her siblings below the age of 18 years.
- His/her spouse and children below the age of 18 years.
The land or property owned by the family in different locations should be clubbed while checking the eligibility conditions for EWS category reservations.
The IAS Notification contains detailed information on the EWS eligibility criteria.
How do I apply for EWS reservations?
You can get the EWS certificate from your local government authority (Tehsil). The certificate is called an ‘Income and Assets Certificate’, and this is the proof that is required to avail of the EWS category reservation.
There is no online method prescribed by the government for getting an EWS certificate. You need to go to your local Tehsil or any other local government authority. You will need additional documents such as Aadhar Card, PAN card, bank statements, passport-size photo, etc. along with the Income and Assets Certificate (downloadable from many government websites). The EWS certificate looks like this below:
The designated government officer will verify your documents and issue your EWS certificate. The certificate issued only by any of the following authorities will be accepted as proof of a candidate belonging to the EWS category:
- District Magistrate/Additional District Magistrate/Collector/Deputy Commissioner/Additional Deputy Commissioner/1st Class Stipendary Magistrate/ Sub-Divisional Magistrate/Taluka Magistrate/Executive Magistrate/Extra Assistant Commissioner
- Chief Presidency Magistrate/Additional Chief Presidency Magistrate/ Presidency Magistrate
- Revenue Officer not below the rank of Tehsildar and
- Sub-Divisional Officer of the area where the candidate and his family normally reside.
For best results, aspirants must review the civil services syllabus and accordingly strategise the preparation plan.
Candidates preparing for the upcoming IAS recruitment can refer to the UPSC topper list and get inspired and motivated by their success stories.
FAQ about EWS Certificate and EWS Reservation
Will candidates under EWS get other relaxations in age and the number of attempts?
EWS Reservation Eligibility – Is the criteria uniform across all states in India?
Who comes under EWS reservation?
How many seats are reserved for EWS category?
Is EWS reservation only for general category?
What are the benefits of EWS quota?
How do I claim EWS quota?
Can EWS take the general seat in UPSC ?
Difference between EWS and OBC reservations
The OBC reservations are for the non-creamy layer section of the Other Backward Classes section. For them, a 27% reservation is given. The EWS is for that section of the ‘General’ classes (not covered under OBC, SC or ST) whose family income is below Rs. 8 lakhs. For them, a 10% reservation in seats is provided.
There will be a separate (lower) cut-off for the EWS candidates, in the same manner for OBC, SC and ST candidates. However, there is no other relaxation concerning the number of attempts and the upper age limit for applying.
Another difference between EWS and OBC reservations is that in determining the family income for reservations, in the case of OBC candidates, the income of the spouse is not included. In contrast, it is included in the case of EWS reservations.
Related Links
| UPSC Syllabus | UPSC Exam Pattern |
| IAS Salary | Daily Video Analysis: The Hindu |
| NCERT Notes For UPSC | UPSC Online Registration |
| UPSC Monthly Current Affairs Magazine | UPSC Current Affairs Quiz |
I have filled the upsc prelims application form 2020 but there was not any column in which i have to upload the ews certificate. So can u plz. tell me when will i have to upload/submit the ews certificate.
Hi
Candidates clearing Prelims stage will have to submit EWS Certificate. For Mains Stage, an on-line detailed application form (DAF) will have to be filled where you will be required to upload scanned copies of all relevant documents in support of date of birth, category {viz. SC/ST/ OBC(without OBC Annexure) along with EWS Certificate.
hello sir,
the language of my ews certificate is gujarati. Is it valid for upsc form?
Yes, it will be valid.
Hello. The notification says certificate should be dated earlier than the closing date of application of Prelims examination. Should it also be dated earlier than the day i personally apply for the exam?
Hi,
No, it should just abide by the UPSC criteria, i.e., it should be dated earlier than the due date of UPSC Application Form 2020 (3rd March 2020).
For the exam on may 31st, EWS certificate for 2019-2020 should be taken or EWS for 2018-2019 should be taken?
Hi Raghvendra
You should produce an EWS Certificate for the year 2019-20. The validity of the certificate is one year. The ‘Income & asset certificate’ has to be of the year 2018-2019 producing which you can get your EWS certificate.
Sir,
I am attempting for 2021. I have procured “income and asset certificate for EWS” from my state for the year 2021-2022. This is based on my financial income for 2020-2021. In the notification it says income and asset certificate should be based on the income of 2019-2020. Will my certificate work or I need procure a revised on the income of year 2019-2020?
Hi
We suggest you follow the UPSC guidelines as mentioned in the notification so as to avoid any confusion in the latter part of the exams.
Any age relaxation in EWS candidate
No, there is no age relaxation for EWS candidates so far in UPSC Exam. The eligibility criteria for UPSC stands same for the general category and EWS candidates.
Hello sir,
I am Defence (Army) employee and belongs to OBC category. Age criteria / Relaxation in age limits is not understood. My dt of birth is 11Feb 1988 . Till which dt I will be able to apply in category of OBC and defence employee.
Thanking you
The maximum age limit is 37. While filling the form against the ex-servicemen quota, you will have to also mention your category as OBC.
Sir for upsc CSE main examination 2020 which year certificate required 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 while filing DAF
EWS certificate for the year 2019-20 will work.
I wanna to give upsc cse 2022 exam , now I have ews certificate for 2019-2020 term , is it useful their or I have to produce certificate of 2021-2022 , because even certificate of 2021-2022 expire in 2022 and the final result of cse 2022 comes in 2023 , what about that issue
For UPSC 2022, you have to produce an EWS Certificate for the last financial year. That is 2021-22.
Which caste will apply for ews certificate
EWS reservations are for those candidates who are not covered under any other reservations (such as OBC, SC, ST and except PH and Ex-servicemen criteria.)
Dear Sir,
I am a candidate from Karnataka, I got my EWS (Income Certificate) last year in 2019. But it is written in Kannada. will UPSC accept it?
Yes, Samuel. It is acceptable.
sir i belong to ews but dont have certificate for 2019-20 .nd i indicated ews in form . can i correct it.
i have certificate for 2020-21
am i treated as general or my form would be rejected
Hi Ankit
As per UPSC Guidelines for 2019 exam, the EWS certificate should be obtained by the candidates by 1st August 2019. Similarly, for 2020, the EWS certificate should be obtained by 1st August 2020. The validity of the certificate is one year. If you have the certificate with you before your Mains Exam, you will be eligible for the reservation.
Sir i indicated EWS category in my upsc 2020 prelims form. But i don’t have ews certificate now in October 2020. Will i be considered in general category if i can’t upload ews certificate during daf for mains??
Hi
The applicant is required to submit a copy of EWS certificate while filling Mains application form and the same has to be verified during the interview stage. As per UPSC guideline, “Candidates seeking reservation/ relaxation benefits available Economically Weaker Sections must ensure that they are entitled to such reservation/ relaxation in accordance with the eligibility prescribed in the Examination Rules/Notice. They should also be in possession of all the requisite certificates in the prescribed format in support of their claims for availing reservation before applying for the examination, and in any case, not later than the closing date for receipt of applications for the examination.”
Sir i will give upsc cse 2022 so which year’s ews certificate going to be eligible? And sir ews certificate is to be produced in mains form and intetview form both?
An EWS certificate will be issued after the income and asset certificate of the year 2020-21. Hence, that EWS certificate that dates before the application closing date of 2022 exam will be valid. The certificate has to be uploaded in Mains application form while it will be cross-checked in the interview stage in its original form.
Sir. Its notified regarding upsc cse 2020 that income and asset certification should belong to year 2018-19 for ews candidate. So how will candidate obtain this certificate of 2 years ago. The ews certificate is made of 2019-2020 so how to get 2018-19 income and asset certificate. Can 2019-20 income and asset certificate be suffice and valid?
Hi
A competent authority that is designated to issue the income and asset certificate will clear all the doubts. To have your EWS certificate, you have to get your income and asset certificate (before the closing date of the application) issued by any one of the following authorities mentioned in this post.
Sir, If i have applied for EWS category before prelims but not able to produce the certificate for mains DAF. What are the consequences ??
Such guidelines have not been mentioned in the UPSC notification. You may contact UPSC query portal for further assistance.
sir I got EWS CERTIFICATE ON 27 Oct 2020
Am I eligible for reservation benefit in 2020 upsc cse
If you have applied for CSE 2020, cleared the prelims as recently UPSC Prelims Result was out; you may sit for UPSC Mains (however, it is suggested you contact UPSC and fetch more details about it.)
Hello I am appearing for 2021 prelims so what should be the date on my EWS certificate 2020-2021 or 2021-22? And does central EWS allowed in upsc or we need of particular state only?
Hi
As per the DoPT guidelines, “The crucial date for submitting income and asset certificate by the candidate may be treated as the closing date for receipt of the application for the post, except in cases where the crucial date is fixed otherwise.” You can reach out to the competent authority to issue income and asset certificate following which you will get the recent EWS certificate which will be applicable for UPSC 2021.
Hello sir.
For CSE 2021 what should be the financial year in income and asset certificate. Whether it should be 2019-20 or 2020-21
When you will reach out to the authorized body to create your income and asset certificate; they will create the latest year’s certificate. Hence, 2020-21 will be applicable.
Can I change in my next attempt from EWS to general category while applying.
Yes, you can.
I have qualified UPSC GSI main in 2020 which ahs been published on 28 th november. I am General category student but now I got EWS certificate. During form fill up I had given general. Is it possible to give EWS in DAF from. Please reply urgently.
As per UPSC, once the application is submitted, no changes are entertained by the commission.
If my EWS certificate is not valid then whole application will be rejected or just EWS certificate will disregarded for UPSC exam?
As far as the information is available online, the candidature doesn’t get cancelled but the candidate is treated as a general category candidate.
I AM A POSTGRADUATE MEDICAL STUDENT WITH STIPEND. WILL STIPEND BE INCLUDED UNDER THE INCOME ???
Hi
As per DoPT, the income means income from all sources. Hence, for EWS category candidates, the annual income should be below 8 Lakhs (covering income from all sources.)
HI SIR/MA’AM,
IS THER ANY AGE LIMIT TO APPLY FOR EWS CERTIFICATE ?
All the candidates eligible for UPSC Exam can apply for EWS certificate if they belong to the EWS category.
sir , i have EWS certificate of year 2019-20. and the certificate issue date is 22/02/2020.
and our upsc form will release on 10th Feb. 2021.
if this certificate is valid for one year
then i can applied on the base on this certificate ?
and first thing i want to know that
EWS certificate needed at filling the prelims form OR this is needed when we apply for mains ???
Hi
The EWS Certificate for UPSC 2021 should be dated 2020-21 so that it remains valid for a year.
hi sir/madam,
I had filled the form for prelims 2020 In general category. as i have got my ews certificate now,can i change the category from general to ews for prelims 2021?
Yes, you can.
Hi Sir,
I am salaried employee and my father is shopkeeper, we both are earning hand in our family and living in Delhi.
So, for EWS certificate whom should have to make Income certifcate from below options:-
1. Income Certificate of the father in which my salary is mentioned.
2. My Income Certificate (EWS Certificate Seeker) in which father earning is mentioned.
3. Or we have to make Income Certificate Individually.
Please give response asap.
Thank You
Hi
Your income certificate will be required for the grant of EWS certificate.
Sir,
My name is SHAIK AKBAR SALEEM, I have already BC-E certificate with me which is providing 4% reservation for minority muslims in my State Andhra Pradesh.
But when we (SHAIK) came to central list, we fall under (GENERAL CATEGORY/UN Reserved/OC) .
Can we ( SHAIK ) apply for EWS reservation?
Yes, if you meet EWS eligibility, you can apply for it.
sir i am applying for ews certificate can i produce 2020-21 income certificate and ews certificate as i dont have 2019-20 income certificate and ews
Yes, the latest EWS certificate can be produced.
Hi sir,
Can I apply for this as General candidate and next year can I change it to EWS as I don’t have my EWS certificate at present. And it takes nearly 15 days of time to get. So, can I change my category for next year. Is their any possibility for that?
One can apply for EWS only if they have an EWS certificate. Otherwise, they have to submit the application as a General Category candidate.
Respected Sir,
I have filled the UPSC CSE Pre2021 From ews certificate
But, I have not been able to make ews on time.
Now what will about me?
Tell Me Any solution please?
The general procedure is to settle the candidate in the general category. However, you must reach out to UPSC for clarification (UPSC – 011 ‐ 23385271 / 23381125 / 23098543)
I have EWS certificate issued by Tamilnadu state government. Do I need a central EWS certificate?
Dear Aspirant,
Your income and asset certificate should have to be issued by any of the following:
1. District Magistrate/Additional District Magistrate/ Collector/ Deputy Commissioner/Additional’ Deputy Commissioner/ 1st Class Stipendary Magistrate/ Sub-Divisional Magistrate/ Taluka Magistrate! Executive Magistrate/ Extra Assistant Commissioner
2. Chief Presidency Magistrate/Additional Chief Presidency Magistrate/ Presidency Magistrate
3. Revenue Officer not below the rank of Tehsildar
4. Sub-Divisional Officer or the area where the candidate and/or his family normally resides.
As per point 4, your EWS certificate will be valid. Please do check the format of EWS Certificate as mentioned by the UPSC in its official notification.
Great
Can a candidate who eligible for OBC but not apply because his eligibility criteria for EWS certificate also comes.
Does he apply EWS certificate because he comes under EWS eligibility criteria and also eligible for OBC certificate but don’t apply because he wants to apply for EWS ?
Plz Sir reply me
Dear aspirant,
The government has introduced a 10% EWS reservation for general category candidates. This is for all those candidates who are not covered under any reservations (such as OBC, SC, ST and except PH and Ex-servicemen criteria) and belong to economically backward sections. Hence, if one belongs to OBC category, he/se can’t apply for EWS reservation.
Wish you all the best!
whether parents salary income will be considered for assessing annual income of a married woman,to get EWS certificate
Dear Aspirant,
For a married woman, parents’ annual income is not considered while assessing the annual income of the candidates.
All the best!
I applied as General category in UPSC 2021, but now since I have the EWS certificate, can I apply in EWS category for 2022 attempt?
Dear Aspirant,
If you meet the EWS eligibility and possess the latest EWS certificate, you can apply for UPSC 2022 as an EWS category candidate. To know more updates about the UPSC exam, click here.
All the Best!