The Parliament amended India’s Constitution to provide for a portion of the General Category candidates with a 10 per cent reservation in education and government jobs in India. Know more about the EWS reservation, who can qualify for the EWS quota, apply for an EWS reservation in the UPSC exam application, etc.

Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) Reservation

The government of India introduced a 10 per cent EWS reservations for candidates of general category. This extends to all candidates not covered by any reservations (such as OBC, SC, ST and excluding criteria for PH and Ex-servicemen) and belonging to economically backward sections.

Who is eligible to claim EWS Quota?

EWS stands for ‘Economically Weaker Section.’ Here are the conditions that a candidate should satisfy to be eligible for the EWS certificate. 

1. One needs to be a general category candidate (not covered under SC, ST or OBC reservation)
2. The total annual income of the family should be below Rs. 8 lakh. The income includes income from all sources like agriculture, salary, business, etc. for a particular financial year before he applies for the exam 
3. The family should not own 5 acres or more of an agricultural land
4. The family should not own a residential flat of area 1000 square feet or more
5. The family should not own an area of 100 square yards or more in a residential plot (in notified municipalities)
6. The family should not own a residential plot of 200 square yards or more (other than in the notified municipalities).

According to the EWS reservation rules, ‘family’ includes

1. The candidate seeking reservation
2. Their parents
3. Their siblings below 18 years of age
4. Their spouse and children below 18 years of age

If the family owns land or property at different locations, then all the land or properties will be clubbed while checking the eligibility criteria for EWS reservations. 

How do I apply for EWS reservations?

You should have the local government authority’s EWS credential (Tehsil). The certificate is referred to as an ‘Income and Assets Certificate’, and this is the evidence needed to avail EWS reservation.

The government recommends no online method to get an EWS certificate. You need to go to your local Tehsil or some other authority in the local government. Along with the Income and Assets Certificate, you would require additional documents such as the Aadhar Card, Pan, bank statements, passport size photo, etc. (downloadable from many government websites). The certificate looks like this:

Your records will be checked by the designated government officer,  and post that your EWS certificate will be issued. A certificate issued by one of the following officials shall be accepted as proof of an applicant in the category of EWS:

• District Magistrate/Additional District Magistrate/Collector/Deputy Commissioner/Additional Deputy Commissioner/1st Class Stipendiary 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 resides

Will candidates under EWS get other relaxations in age and the number of attempts?

No, the candidates under EWS will not get any relaxations in age and the number of attempts. 

EWS Reservation Eligibility – Is the criteria uniform across all states in India?

Even though the Central Government introduced the EWS requirement, states may have their income cut-offs. The cut-offs recommended by the Centre will be valid, however, for the UPSC 2021 and other central government jobs.

We, at Direction, will provide you with all the study materials to pass the examination. Many EWS reserved candidates have got their dream job with the help of Direction, and their hard work and dedication.