How to apply for EWS Certificate Online

What is the EWS Certificate

An Economically Weaker Section (EWS certificate )serves as an income and asset certificate issued to individuals from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. This certificate is specifically provided to citizens who belong to the economically weaker sections of society. The concept of EWS is a recent addition and was introduced as a new reservation sub-category within the General category in the year 2019.

Individuals falling under the EWS category, who do not fall under the reservation schemes for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC), are eligible for a 10% reservation in direct recruitment for various government job positions and services within the Government of Assam.

To avail of the 10% EWS reservation benefit in government jobs or for admission to higher education institutions, candidates are required to provide a valid EWS certificate issued by a competent authority. This certificate serves as proof of their eligibility for the reservation and ensures that candidates from economically weaker sections are given equitable opportunities in various fields.

Eligibility Criteria for EWS Certificate 

Persons who are not covered under the reservation schemes for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs), and whose family’s gross annual income is below Rs. 8.00 lakh (Rupees Eight lakh only), are eligible to be identified as Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) for the purpose of reservation benefits.

The calculation of income includes all sources such as salary, agriculture, business, and profession, among others, for the financial year prior to the year of application.

Additionally, individuals whose families own or possess any of the following assets will be excluded from being identified as EWS, regardless of family income:

i. 15 Bigha of agricultural land and above in rural areas. ii. 1 Bigha of residential land and above in rural areas. iii. 1.5 Katha of land in notified Municipal Corporation/Municipal Board/Town Committee Area. iv. A house with a built-up area of more than 1000 Sq. ft. and above in a notified Municipal Corporation/Municipal Board/Town Committee area.

Important considerations for the EWS certificate :

• The total property owned by a “Family” in different locations of different places/cities will be combined when applying the land or property holding test to determine EWS status.
• The term “Family” for this purpose includes the person seeking the benefit of reservation, his/her parents, siblings below the age of 18 years, spouse, and children below the age of 18 years.

These criteria help define and identify individuals who qualify for EWS reservation benefits based on their income and asset ownership.

Issuing Authority & Verifying Authority

The process and guidelines for availing the benefit of reservation under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category are as follows:

1. Income and Asset Certificate: To avail of the reservation benefits under the EWS category, candidates need to produce an Income and Asset Certificate. This certificate is issued by the Circle Officer or Circle Officer (A) of the Revenue Circle where the candidate and/or their family normally resides.
2. Acceptable Authorities for Issuance: The Income and Asset Certificate must be issued by one of the following authorities in the prescribed format. The officer issuing the certificate will carefully verify all relevant documents following the prescribed process.
3. Crucial Date for Submission: The candidate’s submission of the Income and Asset Certificate should be treated as the closing date for the receipt of the application for the post unless the crucial date is determined otherwise.
4. Appointment and Verification: In the offer of appointment to candidates claiming EWS status, the appointing authorities should include a clause indicating that the appointment is provisional and subject to the verification of the Income and Asset Certificate through proper channels. If the verification reveals that the claim is fake or false, the appointment will be terminated immediately without assigning further reasons, and appropriate action may be taken under the provisions of the Indian Penal Code for producing a fake or false certificate.
5. Verification Process: The appointing authority is responsible for verifying the authenticity of the Income and Asset Certificate submitted by the candidate. This verification is to be conducted through the certificate-issuing authority.

These guidelines ensure that the reservation benefits under the EWS category are granted only to eligible candidates, and any misuse or falsification of certificates is rigorously addressed.

Important points regarding appointment by EWS category

These points clarify certain aspects of the reservation policy for the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category:

1. Filling of EWS Reserved Posts: If all the posts reserved for the EWS category in a State Government are not filled up by eligible EWS candidates during the recruitment process due to a shortage of eligible candidates, the remaining vacant posts will be filled from candidates belonging to the unreserved category.
2. EWS Candidates with Benchmark Disabilities/Ex-Servicemen: EWS candidates who are selected against the quota reserved for persons with benchmark disabilities or ex-servicemen will be placed against the roster points earmarked for the EWS category.
3. Right to Compete for Unreserved Vacancies: A person belonging to the EWS category has the right to compete for an appointment against an unreserved vacancy. This means that EWS candidates can apply for and compete for positions that are not specifically reserved under the EWS category.
4. EWS Candidates Selected on Merit: EWS candidates who are selected based on merit, rather than on account of reservation, should not be counted towards the quota meant for reservation. This ensures that candidates who excel on their own merit do not affect the overall reservation quota.

These points ensure fairness and equitable treatment for candidates belonging to the EWS category while also maintaining the integrity of the reservation system.

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Documents Required for Income and Asset Certificate

To issue an Income and Asset Certificate for the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category, the following documents are required:

1. Address Proof: A document that serves as proof of the candidate’s address, such as a valid Aadhar card, passport, voter ID card, or utility bill.
2. Identity Proof: A document that establishes the candidate’s identity, such as a valid Aadhar card, passport, voter ID card, or driver’s license.
3. Salary Slip (if Employed): For candidates who are employed, a recent salary slip or income certificate may be required to verify their source of income.
4. Land Revenue Receipt (for Farmers): In the case of candidates who are farmers, a land revenue receipt is required for verification by the Land Management authority to determine land ownership and related income.
5. Other Documents: Additional documents that can serve as evidence of income and assets. These may include items like a voter list, Gaon Burrah Certificate (a certificate issued by the village head), or Land Revenue Payment Receipt.

These documents collectively help establish the candidate’s eligibility for the EWS category by verifying their income and asset status. The provided documents play a vital role in the issuance of the Income and Asset Certificate, ensuring transparency and accuracy in the process.

Authorities to issue Income and Asset Certificate

The issuance of Income and Asset Certificates for the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category is officially authorized by the following officers:

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 of the area where the candidate and/or their family normally resides

These authorized officers have the responsibility to carefully verify the relevant documents and process the issuance of the Income and Asset Certificate for candidates who belong to the EWS category. This ensures that the certificate is issued through proper channels and in accordance with the established guidelines.

Important Links of EWS Certificate