EWS certificate: Learn the process, eligibility, & required documents for socio-economic empowerment

Last Updated : Aug. 8, 2023, 12:34 p.m.

The Government of India has made significant strides in creating a more inclusive society by including people from every walk of life. Introducing the EWS certificate for the economically weaker sections of society was crucial to achieving a more inclusive society. The EWS certificate can open a whole new world for individuals from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Understanding the application procedure and the required EWS certificate documents is necessary for those who want to avail of the benefits. This article has all the ins and outs of the EWS certificate, the EWS certificate documents required, the eligibility criteria, and the application process.

What is the EWS Certificate?

The EWS (Economically Weaker Section) certificate is a document that validates whether a person belongs to the economically weaker section of society. It validates an individual’s eligibility for reservation benefits and socio-economic empowerment. The government issues the EWS certificate to provide 10% reservation in education and government jobs for such people.

You must provide valid EWS certificate documents to substantiate your income and socio-economic background to obtain this certificate. This certificate promotes inclusivity by providing equitable opportunities to individuals from economically weaker sections.

Benefits of the EWS Certificate

The EWS certificate provides several benefits to the economically weaker section of society. Some of these benefits are:

• It gives access to reservation benefits in education and government jobs.
• It enhances opportunities for better quality education and job prospects.
• It empowers the socio-economic status of individuals from the economically weaker section of society.
• It reduces the socio-economic disparity.
• It validates an individual’s eligibility for availing reservation benefits.
• It improves the social and economic well-being of the general public.
• It provides an equitable distribution of opportunities.
• It levels the playing field for economically disadvantaged individuals.

Eligibility Criteria to Apply for EWS Certificate

The eligibility criteria for an individual to apply for this certificate are as follows:

• The applicant must belong to the general category and not to any other reserved category such as SC, ST, or OBC.
• The gross annual income of the applicant’s family must be below Rs. 8 lakhs. It includes income from all sources, such as agriculture, salary, business, etc.
• The applicant’s family must not own agricultural land of more than 5 acres of area.
• The applicant’s family must not own a residential flat of more than 1000 square feet of area.
• The applicant’s family must not own a residential plot with 100 square yards or more in notified municipalities or more than 200 square yards in other areas.

Documents Required to Apply for EWS Certificate

The EWS certificate documents required to apply for this certificate are as follows:

• Income proof such as income tax return, salary slip, bank statement, etc.
• Identity proof such as an Aadhaar card, PAN card, voter ID card, etc.
• Address proof like electricity bill, water bill, and ration card.
• Other relevant documents like land records, property papers, caste certificates, etc.

Applying for the EWS Certificate Online

To apply for the EWS certificate online, follow the given steps.

• Visit the official website of the National Government Service Portal and select the state or union territory where the applicant resides.
• Click on the ‘Revenue’ department and then the ‘EWS Certificate’ service.
• Read the instructions and guidelines carefully and download the EWS certificate application form.
• Fill in the required details in the application form and attach the necessary EWS certificate documents, such as income proof, identity proof, address proof, etc.
• Submit the application form and the EWS certificate documents to the nearest issuing authority, such as tehsildar, sub-divisional magistrate, district magistrate, etc.
• Pay the prescribed fee for the EWS certificate and collect the receipt.
• The issuing authority will verify the application and the EWS certificate documents and issue the EWS certificate within 15 to 30 days.

The applicant can check the EWS certificate application status online or offline by using the receipt number or by contacting the issuing authority.

Applying for the EWS Certificate Offline

To apply for the EWS Certificate offline, follow the given steps.

• Visit the nearest issuing authority, such as tehsildar, sub-divisional magistrate, district magistrate, etc., and collect the EWS certificate application form.
• Fill in the required details in the application form and attach the necessary EWS certificate documents, such as income proof, identity proof, address proof, etc.
• Submit the application form and the EWS certificate documents to the issuing authority and pay the prescribed fee for the EWS certificate.
• Collect the receipt and wait until the verification process is complete.
• The issuing authority will issue the EWS certificate within 15 to 30 days after verifying the application and the EWS certificate documents.

The applicant can collect the EWS certificate from the issuing authority or check its status by using the receipt number or by contacting them.

Conclu s ion

The economically weaker section of society may find it hard to afford quality education and get better jobs. That is why the Government of India gives them a chance to uplift themselves by introducing the EWS Certificate. The EWS certificate is a commendable initiative taken to ensure equal opportunities are granted to people from all sections of society. It helps increase inclusion in society and decrease socio-economic disparity.

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