If you are a student and you meet all the eligibility requirements for an EWS certificate, knowing the benefits of holding an EWS certificate before applying for higher education is crucial. Subsidies, reservations, and preferences during college admissions are some of the privileges that ensure students from Economically Weaker Sections are not at a disadvantage when it comes to pursuing higher education. Knowledge of all the benefits offered by the Indian government to an EWS certificate holder is also important because some of these benefits might help you significantly reduce your financial burden when pursuing UG/ PG courses.
Also Read: List of Documents Required for EWS Certificate
Benefits of EWS Certificate
The EWS certificate offers numerous advantages, particularly for students seeking to continue their education after Class 12. Find all the advantages of an EWS certificate in India:
Benefit | Description | Application / Use |
|---|---|---|
Reservation in Education | 10% reservation in central government educational institutions for General category students. | Admissions in schools, colleges, and professional courses. |
Reservation in Government Jobs | 10% quota for EWS candidates in central government jobs. | Competitive exams, recruitment, promotions. |
Financial Aid & Scholarships | Eligibility for certain scholarships, fee concessions, and stipends. | College scholarships, merit-cum-means aid. |
Preference in Admission | Helps in securing seats in institutes under EWS quota. | NIFT, NID, AIIMS, IITs, and other central institutions. |
Legal Proof of Economic Status | Acts as official proof of low-income status. | Loan applications, government schemes, public benefits. |
Ease in Applying for Government Schemes | Simplifies access to schemes meant for economically weaker families. | Housing, health insurance, and social welfare programs. |
Reservation in State Institutions (if applicable) | Some states provide additional EWS benefits beyond the central rules. | State university admissions, local government jobs. |
Who Can Apply for EWS Certificate?
In order to be eligible for an EWS certificate, you must meet certain criteria set by the Government of India. Check the EWS certificate eligibility criteria below:
Eligibility Criteria | Details | Required Proof / Notes |
|---|---|---|
Category | Must belong to the General (Unreserved) category | Caste certificate not required; Aadhaar/ ID sufficient |
Annual Family Income | Less than ₹8,00,000 from all sources (previous financial year) | Income certificate, ITR, salary slips, bank statements |
Agricultural Land | Less than 5 acres | Land records/ property papers |
Residential Plot | < 100 sq. yards in municipality OR < 200 sq. yards in non-municipality | Municipal property records/ registry papers |
Residential Flat | < 1000 sq. ft | Registry papers/ property documents |
Family Definition | Includes parents, spouse, and children | Birth/ marriage certificates or ID proofs for all family members |
Exclusions | SC/ ST/ OBC (central list) are not eligible under EWS | Verify category certificates before applying |
How to Check EWS Certificate Status?
If you have already applied for an EWS certificate, you can check the status of your application by following the steps below:
Step | Action | Details / Tips |
|---|---|---|
1. Visit Portal | Go to your state e-District / Revenue / Citizen Services portal. | Search “<State> eDistrict EWS status” or use the portal link. |
2. Login / Register | Log in with your credentials or Aadhaar/DigiLocker. | Keep the application number handy. |
3. Locate Status Section | Look for the “Check Application Status” / “Track Certificate” option. | Usually under EWS/Income Certificate services. |
4. Enter Details | Enter application number, applicant name, and date of birth as required. | Double-check spelling and DOB for accurate results. |
5. View Status | The system will display the current status: Pending, Under Verification, Approved, or Rejected. | Take note of verification or rejection remarks. |
6. Download / Print | Once approved, you can download the e-certificate or access it via DigiLocker. | Save a PDF copy for official use. |
7. Follow-Up | If delayed, contact the local revenue office or portal helpline. | Keep the acknowledgement/transaction ID ready. |
State-wise EWS Certificate Portals
State | Portal Name |
|---|---|
Andhra Pradesh | meeseva app |
Assam | Assam state portal |
Arunachal Pradesh | Arunachal eServices portal |
Bihar | RTPS portal |
Gujarat | Digital Gujarat portal |
Chhattisgarh | e-district portal |
Chandigarh | e-district portal |
Delhi | e-district portal |
Jharkhand | Jharkhand e-District |
Himachal Pradesh | Himachal Online Seva |
Haryana | e-Disha portal |
Jammu and Kashmir | Jammu & Kashmir State e-Services |
Madhya Pradesh | MP e-District portal |
Nagaland | e-District portal |
Manipur | e-District portal |
Maharashtra | Aaple Sarkar portal |
Meghalaya | e-District portal |
Mizoram | e-District portal |
Punjab | State portal of Punjab |
Odisha | e-District portal |
Rajasthan | e-Mitra portal |
Tripura | e-District portal |
Tamil Nadu | Tamil Nadu e-Sevai |
Sikkim | e-Services |
Telangana | MeeSeva portal |
Uttar Pradesh | e-Saathi web portal |
Uttarakhand | e-District portal |
West Bengal | West Bengal e-District |
We hope this article was informative about the benefits of holding an EWS certificate. Check the links below to learn more!
Related Articles:
| How to Apply for EWS Certificate Online: Step-by-Step Process | Common Mistakes to Avoid While Applying for EWS Certificate |
|---|---|
CAT 2025 Reservation Policy for OBC, SC, ST, EWS, PwD at IIMs |
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