EWS Quota in NEET 2024: Full Form, Rules, Eligibility, Reservation, EWS Certificate

EWS Quota in NEET 2024 is 10% in the All India Quota (AIQ), for undergraduate and postgraduate medical/dental courses (MBBS/MD/MS/Diploma/BDS/MDS). This was introduced in the academic year of 2021-’22, to help provide an equal opportunity to all candidates appearing for the NEET UG exam. However, for cases when the 10% reserved EWS criteria for NEET is exhausted, candidates may opt for the general category seats as well. The EWS reservation in NEET brings forth the students from Economically Weaker Sections, to have a fair chance at the NEET UG entrance exam, without worrying about financial constraints. 

The NEET UG 2024 Exam is scheduled to be held on May 5, 2024. The results for the same are to be published on July 25, 2024. While many students often experience confusion regarding the EWS Quota in NEET 2024, the decision to introduce EWS reservation in NEET has benefitted many candidates in the recent past. This article provides detailed information on the different aspects of EWS Quota in NEET 2024, including the eligibility, reservation, certificate, and more. Read on to find out more. 

Must refer to:

What is EWS Quota in NEET 2024?

The Indian government introduced a policy in 2019 that reserved 10% of total seats in NEET for GEN-EWS (Economically Weaker Section) candidates. This reservation was implemented to provide an opportunity for students from economically weaker backgrounds to pursue their dreams of becoming doctors or dentists. The reservation criteria for GEN-EWS candidates is based on the family's gross annual income, which should not exceed INR 8 LPA (lakhs per annum). Candidates falling under the GEN-EWS category and meeting the income criteria are eligible to apply for the reserved seats.

Once the reservation for the 10% EWS quota is exhausted, the remaining seats become available for general category candidates as well. This means that candidates from the general category, irrespective of their family's income, can also compete for the remaining seats. The introduction of the EWS quota in NEET has opened up new opportunities for students from economically weaker sections of society.

How EWS Quota Works in NEET 2024

The EWS (Economically Weaker Section) quota was introduced by the Indian government to provide a reservation for individuals from economically weaker backgrounds in higher education. The EWS quota is implemented in NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test), the national-level medical entrance exam for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate medical courses in India.

The EWS quota in NEET 2024 is implemented as a reservation of up to 10% of the total seats available in MBBS/BDS colleges in India. To be eligible for the EWS quota, candidates must meet the following criteria:

1. They must belong to the EWS category as defined by the government of India.

2. Their family income must be less than Rs. 8 lakhs per annum.

3. They must not have any family members who have availed of reservation under any other category.

Candidates who meet the above criteria can apply for the EWS quota while filling out their NEET 2024 application form. They will be required to submit valid income and caste certificates as proof of their eligibility for the EWS quota.

The EWS quota in NEET 2024 will be implemented in addition to the existing reservations for SC, ST, and OBC candidates. The EWS quota seats will be filled on the basis of merit and will be allocated to eligible candidates during the NEET 2024 counselling process.

It is important to note that the EWS quota is not a relaxation in the eligibility criteria for NEET 2024. Candidates must still meet the minimum eligibility criteria, including the educational qualifications and age limit, to be eligible for the EWS quota.

Relevant Read: NEET 2024 Seat Matrix

Eligibility Criteria for EWS Quota in NEET 2024 

When the EWS Quota was increased by the government, many medical aspirants were unclear about its eligibility. Even now, many students are often misled due to a lack of information. Keeping that in mind, we have mentioned all the parameters that determine whether or not you qualify for the reservation. Check out the eligibility for the EWS category in NEET 2024 below:

• Those candidates whose family income is less than INR 8 LPA will be eligible for the EWS quota in NTA NEET
• The candidate’s family must not own more than 5 acres of agricultural land
• The residential flat area should be less than 1000 sq. ft and the residential plot area should be less than 100 square yards (if in a notified municipality sector) to be eligible for the EWS quota.
• The residential plot's area should be less than 200 square yards (if in a non-notified municipality sector).

Must refer to: NEET 2024 Login Application Number and Password

How to Apply for EWS Certificate for NEET?

Candidates belonging to the EWS category can follow these steps to obtain their EWS certificate for NEET 2024 if they do not already have one:

Step 1

The first step is to obtain INCOME and ASSET CERTIFICATES from the government authorities. The government authorities which can provide you with Income and Asset Certificates are given below:

• District Magistrate/ Additional District Magistrate/ Deputy Commissioner/ Additional Deputy Commissioner/

• Revenue Officers/ Tehsildar

• Sub-Divisional Officers

Step 2

The Officer who issues the certificate will only do the same after carefully verifying all the relevant documents and following the due process as prescribed by the respective State/ UT.

Note: While applying in the EWS category for NEET 2020, applicants have to choose the category in the application form as "General-EWS". Also, there is no need to upload the EWS certificate in the NEET application form. NEET 2024 EWS certificate will be verified at the Counselling by the Central or the State counselling authority. In case, a candidate is unable to produce the EWS certificate, then their admission will be cancelled and will be counted for admission under the General category.

Reservation for EWS Quota in NEET 2024 

EWS quota NEET UG rules eligibility reservation holds immense significance for economically weaker sections of the general category aspiring to secure a seat through reservation in NEET 2024. The NEET participating institutes that offer EWS reservation include:

• State Government Medical Colleges

• Central University/Institutes (with a reservation quota of 10%)

• National Institutes

These institutes provide a platform for candidates from economically disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue their medical education. Fulfilling the required criteria and submitting the necessary documents is essential for eligible candidates to avail the EWS reservation during the NEET 2024 admission process.

*Note: Candidates must note that the EWS Quota in NEET 2024 is applicable for BDS/MBBS/BUMS/BAMS/BHMS/BNYS/AIPT.  

EWS Quota in NEET 2024 - All Reservations

EWS Seat Matrix in NEET 2024

The NEET 2024 EWS seat matrix varies as per college type. The EWS quota seat matrix for government colleges is as follows:

Also Read: Minimum Marks Required in NEET 2024 for MBBS

EWS Quota in NEET 2024 – Participating Colleges

Here is a look at some of the popular colleges offering admission to students under the EWS quota in NEET 2024:

EWS Quota in NEET 2024 – Reservation in Government Colleges 

The demand for government colleges after NEET is usually high. Applicants looking for a seat in these colleges can apply under the EWS quota provided the eligibility criteria is met. As per the seat matrix, government medical colleges have nearly 4,000 seats. The Government Medical colleges have 4000 seats as per the EWS quota 2024 Seat Matrix. 

Also Read: List of Documents Required for NEET 2024 Application Form: Size, Format, Specifications

Expected Cutoff for EWS Quota in NEET 2024 

Interested candidates can refer to the table below to check the expected NEET 2024 cutoff scores for the General and Gen-EWS categories:

Keh Highlights of EWS Quota in NEET 2024 Application 

Aspirants willing to apply for the NEET 2024 EWS quota must take note of the following:

• Keep your asset and income certificates secured and handy 

• The certificates can be secured as prescribed by the law of the state/UT once all the documents are verified

• You will be able to choose the category as ‘Gen-EWS’ online after the documents are obtained and the application is successfully sent. Documents need not be uploaded along with the NEET application form.

• All documents validating your reservation as EWS category must be produced at the time of NEET counselling process 2024 to secure admission. In the absence of valid certificates, the candidate will not be granted admission under the General category.

• Candidates seeking EWS reservation for NEET must reach out to any of the following competent authorities to get the certificates issued:

Hope this article will help you understand EWS Quota in NEET 2024 and how to obtain an EWS certificate if you are meeting the eligibility. For the latest news and updates regarding NEET 2024 results and merit list, keep an eye out on the CollegeDekho website!

NEET 2024 Cutoff: State-Wise breakdown

Students applying for EWS Quota in NEET 2024 can check the cutoff scores across different states. This will help aspirants find out how many they to secure to ace the exam and obtain admission to their state college. The state-wise cutoff marks for NEET 2024 exam will be released after the counselling ends. So, till then, candidates can gain insights on NEET cutoff marks by analysing the previous year's data provided below.