EWS - Economically Weaker Section (Eligibility, Benefits & How to Apply?)

Q: What is the full form of EWS?

The EWS full form is the Economically Weaker Section. It offers a 10% reservation to such individuals who are economically backward based on a prescribed criteria.

Updated on September 15, 2026Author:NEXT IAS Contributors

The full form of EWS is the Economically Weaker Section (इकोनॉमिकली वीकर सेक्शन). The reservation for the EWS category was introduced through the 103rd constitutional amendment act of 2019 and added article 15(6) and 16(6) in the constitution of India. It enables up to a 10% reservation in education and public employment for the eligible economically weaker sections lying outside the existing SC,ST and OBC reservations. There is an income criteria of Rs. 8,00,000 annually along with the asset restrictions. In 2022, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of EWS by a 3:2 majority.

How to apply for an EWS Certificate?

The EWS certificate is usually issued by the competent authority such as the Tehsildar, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), and District Magistrate (DM). The detailed application procedure for an Economically Weaker Section (EWS) certificate is mentioned in the table below. However, the actual procedure or web portal may differ from state to state.

Step	Application process
1	You need to visit your state's official e-District, revenue or citizen-services portal.
2	You have to register or log in using the mobile number and identity details.
3	You need to select the service for an Income and Asset Certificate for EWS.
4	You will be required to fill in the personal, family income, caste or category and property details.
5	You will be asked to upload documents related to identity proof, address proof, income, photographs and other required records.
6	You need to submit the application and pay the prescribed fee, if applicable.
7	You may note down the application or acknowledgement number for tracking the status of EWS certificate at a later point of time.
8	You will have to complete the verification, if required.
9	You need to download or collect the approved certificate from the portal or issuing authority.

Eligibility Criteria for Certificate

The candidate must belong to a category which is not covered under SC, ST or OBC reservation and must satisfy both income and asset conditions. The gross annual income of the family must be below Rs. 8,00,000 for the financial year preceding the financial year. The income includes the salary, agricultural income, business and other sources of income. A family shall not be given the EWS benefits if it owns any of the following:

The agricultural land of 5 acres or more.
A residential flat measuring 1,000 square feet or more.
A residential plot of 100 square yards or more in a notified municipality.
A residential plot of 200 square yards or more in areas outside the notified municipalities.

In the context of EWS, the term 'family' includes the candidate or applicant, parents, spouse, and minor children. The property held by various family members is taken together according to the applicable rules. The certificate must be issued by a competent authority and for the relevant financial year. The state specific rules, documents and issuing authorities may vary.

Economically Weaker Section Reservation

The 103rd constitutional amendment act of 2019 introduced the provisions for the reservation of 10% for the eligible economically weaker sections (EWS) candidates. The candidates must not be covered under SC, ST or OBC reservation. It applies to direct recruitment in central government and admissions to the central government institutions. The EWS reservation is based on the limitation of the ownership of assets such as property, plot and flat. It is not based on social or educational backwardness. The reservation applies to only those candidates who have a valid Income and Asset certificate from the competent authority. The provisions for EWS reservation are mentioned in detail in the table below.

S.No.	Area	EWS provision
1	Central government recruitment	It provides 10% reservation in direct recruitment which are further subject to applicable rules.
2	Central educational institutions	It includes 10% reservation for eligible admissions.
3	Eligibility	A candidate must not be covered under SC, ST or OBC reservation
4	Income limit	The family gross annual income must be below Rs. 8,00,000.
5	Asset restriction	It includes the specified land, flat and plot ownership. If the assets are above the prescribed limit then the candidate will not be eligible for an EWS certificate.
6	Proof required	It includes the valid income and asset certificate issued by a competent authority.
7	State level application	It depends on the state's reservation policy and notification.

Benefits

S.No.	Benefit	Details
1	Reservation in education	The eligible EWS candidates can receive up to 10% reservation in admissions to various educational institutions.
2	Reservation in government jobs	The eligible candidates can avail up to 10% reservation in direct recruitment to central government posts and services.
3	Separate category benefit	The EWS candidates face competition within the category which may provide category specific cut-offs marks and seat allocation.
4	Greater access to opportunities	The provision supports economically disadvantaged candidates who are not covered by SC, ST or OBC reservations.
5	Constitutional recognition	It includes the articles 15(6) and 16(6) of the Indian constitution empower the State to make special provisions for the upliftment of EWS.
6	Fee concessions	Some institutions, exams and welfare schemes may offer fee reductions or financial assistance to eligible EWS candidates.
7	Official economic proof document	It acts as a valid Income and Asset Certificate for the candidate's eligibility for the applicable benefits.

EWS Background

The reservation for the economically weaker section or EWS was introduced through the One hundred and third amendment act of 2019 of the constitution of India. It added articles 15(6) and 16(6) which enable the special provisions for the EWS not covered under SC, ST or OBC reservations.
The central government provides up to 10% reservation in educational admissions and government employment. The reservation is subject to the prescribed eligibility criteria of income and asset.
It aimed to address the economic disadvantage among the people outside the prevailing reservation categories.
The supreme court upheld the constitutional validity of the EWS reservation in Janhit Abhiyan Vs Union of India in 2022.

FAQs about EWS

What is the full form of EWS?

The EWS full form is the Economically Weaker Section. It offers a 10% reservation to such individuals who are economically backward based on a prescribed criteria.