List of Documents Required for EWS Certificate

The documents required for EWS certificate include different types of documentation like valid photo ID proof, family income documents, Aadhar card, ration card, income tax return documents, etc. The purpose of these documents is solely to verify whether the individual applying for the EWS certificate falls in the Economically Weaker Section or not. Several requirements must be met in order to be eligible for an EWS certificate and the same includes not being from any of the Reserved categories like SC/ST/OBC. Take a look at the complete list of documents required for EWS certificate and also other requirements below. 

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What are EWS Certificate Documents?

EWS stands for Economically Weaker Sections. EWS certificate is issued to the candidates with a family income below the conditioned bracket. Through this certificate, the holder can avail the benefits of a new kind of reservation that was introduced in 2019. EWS is a sub-category under the General category and is separate from other categories like Backwards Classes, ST, and SC. 

The President of India passed the EWS Bill on 12th January 2019 under which, 10% of the total seats are reserved for the EWS category holder in a recruitment or entrance exam. Gujarat was the first state to pass this bill on 14th January 2019. 

EWS certificate documents may be a sub-category under the General category but it is considered as an income certificate and not a caste certificate. If you wish to apply for a recruitment or entrance exam and fall under this category, you can get an EWS Certificate issued by the competent authority and attach this document to your application. The issuance of this document requires you to apply for it and present the important documents required for EWS certificate. 

If you are wondering what does an EWS Certificate look like, here’s a proforma for you:

EWS Certificate Documents: Overview

To truly understand what is EWS certificate, candidates must have a quick look at the overview. 

Who Can Apply for an EWS Certificate?

List of EWS Certificate Documents

Here is the list of documents required for EWS certificate:

• Passport Size Photograph

• EWS Certificate Application Form

• Ration Card/ Epic Card/ Aadhaar Card

• ID Proof (Voter ID, PAN Card, etc)

• Affidavit or Self-Declaration

• Domicile Certificate

• Residential Proof

• Land or Property Documents

• Copy of IT Returns/ Pay Slips or Any Other Document 

• Valid Documents Proving Family Income and Asset

Note: The documents required for EWS certificate must prove family income or assets certified by an officer, not below the rank of a Tehsildar in the Union Territories or States. 

Benefits of Acquiring EWS Certificate Documents

Here are the advantages of possessing an Economically Weaker Section (EWS) Certificate:

• The EWS certificate enables people from the General category facing financial difficulties to access a 10% reservation in government employment.
• All significant universities affiliated with the UGC reserve 10% of their seats for individuals belonging to the EWS category.
• Qualified individuals can utilize their EWS certificate to participate in State and Central government subsidy programs.

EWS Certificate Eligibility Criteria

Apart from submitting the necessary EWS certificate documents, one must be aware of eligibility criteria before applying for an EWS certificate. The EWS certificate eligibility criteria are -

• Students should belong only to the general category 
• The annum family income must be less than Rs. 8 lakh 
• Students must neither comprise agricultural land nor own more than 5 acres of area 
• Aspirants should have a residential property of less than 100 sq. feet of area in terms of overall size
• Residential plots owned in the municipality sector must be less than 100 sq. yards 
• Residential plots owned by the family in the non-notified municipality sector must be below 240 sq. Yards 

Important Note:  

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

How to Apply for an EWS Certificate?

The application for an EWS certificate document can be done online as well as offline. Here are the steps involved:

Online:

• The application process for the EWS certificate document is dependent on the respective state government. 

• You will have to visit the official portal of the respective state government and apply there. 

• The application instructions for the same will be provided on the portal itself. 

• Make sure to carry the scanned copies of the EWS certificate documents at the time of the application. You will be required to upload these scanned copies.

• Fill in the details diligently and leave no space for any kind of error or discrepancy.

• You can finally submit the form after paying an application fee. 

Offline:

• For the offline process, you can get an application from the nearby certificate issuance authority. 

• You can also download an application from the official website of the respective state government. 

• After downloading the form, get a printout and fill it out diligently. 

• You will have to attach the documents required for the EWS certificate along with the application and post it to the provided address.

• You can have a look at the offline copy of the application below and download it for future use. 

How to Check Status of an EWS Certificate Document? 

Students can visit the official websites of the states to check their EWS certificate application status online. Given below are the official portals to check the application status of the EWS certificate. 

Competent Authorities to Issue EWS Certificate Documents

Here is a list of the authorities that are competent to issue an EWS Certificate and verify the EWS documents required. The authority must be concerned with the locality you are from. 

• Collector

• Deputy Collector

• DM (District Magistrate)

• Additional District Magistrate

• City Magistrate - Taluka Magistrate

• Deputy Commissioner

• Additional Deputy Commissioner

• Revenue Officers not below the rank of Tahsildar

• Sub Divisional Officer (of the area of  your residence)

• Executive Magistrate

• Extra Assistant Commissioner

• Development Officer

• Chief Presidency Magistrate

• Additional Chief Presidency Magistrate

• I-Class Stipendiary Magistrate

• President Magistrate

How Long Does it Take to Process an EWS Certificate?

How Does EWS Certificate Differ from OBC Certificate?

Here are the differences between an EWS certificate and an OBC certificate:

Hopefully, this article on the documents required for EWS certificate was helpful to candidates. Take a look at the articles mentioned below to learn more!

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