Economically Weaker Section

Ayush (Executive ) (6760 Points)

07 February 2023

Economically Weaker Section (EWS) are defined as those individuals or families whose annual income is below a certain specified limit and are eligible for certain reservations and benefits in government jobs and educational institutions.

The Economically Weaker Section (EWS) is eligible for a reservation of 10% in direct recruitment in civil posts and services in the Government of India. This reservation is applicable to individuals who belong to the EWS category and are not covered under the existing reservation schemes for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs).

Persons who are not covered under the scheme of reservation for SCs, STs and OBCs and whose family has gross annual income below Rs 8 lakh are to be identified as EWSs for benefit of reservation. Income shall also include income from all sources i.e. salary, agriculture, business, profession, etc. for the financial year prior to the year of application.

Also persons whose family owns or possesses any of the following assets shall be excluded from being identified as EWS, irrespective of the family income:-

5 acres of agricultural land and above;
Residential at of 1000 sq ft. and above;
Residential plot of 100 sq. yards and above in notified municipalities;
Residential, plot of 200 sq. yards and above in areas other than the notified municipalities.

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EWS quota was implemented in 2019

PM Modi-led the government brought the EWS quota in 2019, by bringing103rd amendments to the Indian constitution. The provision of the EWS quota was added in clause 6 of Article 15 and Article 16 of the constitution. This clause provides reservation to the economically weaker general category given in educational institutions and jobs.

According to the amendment, this reservation can also be implemented by any educational institution, including private ones. However, minority educational institutions are exempted from the amendment.

Who is a prime beneficiary of EWS ?

Unlike reservations based on caste and class, the EWS quota provides reservations to the general category of financially weak people. The fact that a person belonging to a general category comes under EWS depends upon his or his family’s annual income. For a person to come under the EWS quota, his or his family’s income should be less than ₹8 lakh. Here, the source of income also includes agriculture, business, and other professions.

Mandatory condition on the property of EWS

There are certain mandatory conditions for people coming to EWS. A person under this category must have less than 5 acres of agricultural land. Along with this, his residential flat should not be 200 square metres or more. If a residential flat is more than 200 square metres, it should not come under the municipality.

Proof for EWS

For a person to prove that he belongs to EWS of the society, he needs to have an 'Income and Asset Certificate' to claim reservation. Notably, the certificate needs to be issued only by gazette officers of the rank of Tehsildar or above. This income certificate will be valid for a year. EWS beneficiaries have to renew their certificates every year.