Who are called economically weaker sections?

People with a family income of less than Rs 8 lakh a year are categorized as the Economically weaker section or EWS in India only if they do not belong to ST, SC, or OBC caste categories.

Who is eligible for EWS category?

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.

Does EWS reduce fees?

As per the GR, 10 percent of the total enrolled students who meet the government's criteria for EWS will benefit from the 50 percent fee concession in such universities.

Economically Weaker Section - EWS Quota Apply Online, Eligibility and Certification

Table of Contents

Economically Weaker Section

The term “Economically Weaker Section” (EWS) refers to a classification of individuals or households in a society who face significant economic hardships and are considered to be at the lower end of the income spectrum. EWS is often used in the context of government policies and programs aimed at providing targeted assistance and support to uplift these economically disadvantaged sections of the population. These policies aim to ensure that individuals from economically weaker backgrounds have access to basic amenities, opportunities, and a chance to improve their living conditions.

Economically Weaker Section Features

The term “Economically Weaker Section” (EWS) is used to identify and categorize individuals or households who belong to the economically disadvantaged segments of society. These individuals face significant financial hardships and often lack access to basic amenities and opportunities. Here are the key features that define the Economically Weaker Section:

Low Income Levels: The most defining characteristic of EWS is their low income. These households typically earn meager wages or have limited sources of income, which makes it difficult for them to meet their basic needs and maintain a decent standard of living.
Basic Amenities: EWS households often struggle to afford essential amenities such as proper housing, clean water, sanitation facilities, electricity, and access to healthcare and education. Inadequate access to these services can perpetuate the cycle of poverty.
Educational Barriers: Due to financial constraints, children from EWS families might have limited access to quality education. This lack of educational opportunities can hinder their skill development and future earning potential.
Agricultural Land: The panel recommended that EWS, may exclude, irrespective of income, a person whose family has five acres of agricultural land and above.
Limited Job Opportunities: EWS individuals often find themselves restricted to low-paying and informal jobs with limited job security and benefits. This further restricts their ability to improve their economic situation.
Vulnerability: Economic hardships make EWS families more vulnerable to shocks such as health emergencies, job losses, or natural disasters. These events can have a severe impact on their already precarious financial situation.
Social Exclusion: Economic disadvantages can lead to social exclusion and discrimination. EWS individuals might face challenges in participating in social and cultural activities, which can affect their overall well-being.
Government Support: Recognizing the need to uplift the EWS, governments often introduce policies and programs aimed at providing targeted support. These might include subsidies for housing, education, healthcare, and food, as well as job training initiatives.
Reservation and Affirmative Action: In certain countries, reservation policies are implemented to ensure a certain percentage of government jobs, educational seats, or other opportunities are reserved for individuals from the EWS. These policies aim to bridge the economic gap and promote social equity.
Data-driven Identification: Accurately identifying EWS beneficiaries is crucial for effective policy implementation. Governments often use income thresholds, economic surveys, and other data-driven methods to determine eligibility.
Challenges in Implementation: Designing and implementing policies for EWS can be complex. Ensuring that benefits reach the intended recipients, preventing misuse, and regularly updating eligibility criteria are common challenges.
Urban and Rural Contexts: The features of EWS can differ between urban and rural areas. In urban settings, challenges might include affordable housing and access to jobs, while in rural areas, issues might involve agricultural livelihoods and access to basic amenities.
Intersectionality: Economic disadvantage can intersect with other factors like caste, gender, ethnicity, and disability, creating unique challenges for individuals who belong to multiple marginalized groups.
Pathways to Empowerment: Effective policies for EWS go beyond immediate relief and focus on long-term empowerment. This can involve skill development, entrepreneurship opportunities, and access to credit

Economically Weaker Section EWS Quota

The Economically Weaker Section (EWS) quota is a transformative policy initiative aimed at providing equitable opportunities to individuals hailing from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Envisioned as a means to bridge the gap between economic strata and foster social inclusion, the EWS quota has garnered attention and appreciation for its potential to create a more balanced and just society.

The EWS quota is a government-mandated reservation system that sets aside a specific percentage of seats in educational institutions and jobs for individuals belonging to the Economically Weaker Section. This groundbreaking initiative was introduced to address the often-overlooked economic challenges that hinder access to quality education and employment for a significant portion of the population.

Economically Weaker Section Eligibility

The Economically Weaker Section (EWS) is a category of people in India who are not covered under the existing reservation schemes for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs). The EWS category was created in 2019 to provide reservation in educational institutions and government jobs to people who are not covered under the existing reservation schemes, but who are economically disadvantaged. To be eligible for EWS benefits, a person must meet the following criteria:

They must be a citizen of India.
They must not belong to any of the existing categories of reservation (SC, ST, OBC).
Their family’s annual income must be less than Rs. 8 lakhs.
They must not own more than 5 acres of agricultural land.
They must not own a residential flat of more than 1000 square feet.

If a person meets all of these criteria, they are eligible to apply for EWS benefits. EWS benefits are available in educational institutions and government jobs. In educational institutions, EWS students are eligible for a 10% quota in seats. In government jobs, EWS candidates are eligible for a 10% reservation in vacancies.

The EWS category has been welcomed by many people who believe that it will help to provide opportunities to economically disadvantaged people who are not covered under the existing reservation schemes. However, the EWS category has also been criticized by some people who believe that it is unfair to give reservations to people who are not from marginalized communities.

The EWS category is a relatively new category, and it is still too early to say how effective it will be in providing opportunities to economically disadvantaged people. However, the EWS category is a step in the right direction, and it is hoped that it will help to reduce inequality in India.

Economically Weaker Section Certification

The EWS certificate is a document that certifies that a person belongs to the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category. The EWS certificate is required to avail of EWS benefits, such as reservation in educational institutions and government jobs. To obtain an EWS certificate, a person must apply to the concerned authority in their state. The application process varies from state to state. However, generally, the applicant will need to provide the following documents:

Proof of identity (such as a passport or Aadhaar card)
Proof of residence (such as a voter ID card or ration card)
Proof of income (such as a salary slip or tax return)
Proof of family assets (such as a property registration document or bank statement)

The concerned authority will then verify the applicant’s eligibility for the EWS certificate. If the applicant is found eligible, they will be issued an EWS certificate. The EWS certificate is a valid document for a period of five years. After five years, the applicant will need to apply for a fresh EWS certificate.

The EWS certificate is an important document for people who belong to the EWS category. It can help them to avail of EWS benefits and improve their chances of getting admission to educational institutions and government jobs.

Here are some of the benefits of having an EWS certificate:

EWS students are eligible for a 10% quota in seats in educational institutions.
EWS candidates are eligible for a 10% reservation in vacancies in government jobs.
EWS candidates are eligible for a number of other benefits, such as financial assistance and scholarships.

If you believe that you belong to the EWS category, you can apply for an EWS certificate. The application process varies from state to state, so you should contact the concerned authority in your state for more information.

Economically Weaker Section Amendments

The Constitution (One Hundred and Third Amendment) Act, 2019 amended Articles 15 and 16 of the Constitution of India to provide for reservation in educational institutions and government jobs for the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) of society. The EWS category was created to provide opportunities to people who are not covered under the existing reservation schemes, but who are economically disadvantaged.
The EWS amendments were challenged in the Supreme Court, which upheld the amendments in a judgment delivered in 2020. The Court held that the EWS amendments were constitutional and that they would help to reduce inequality in India.
The EWS amendments have been welcomed by many people who believe that they will help to provide opportunities to economically disadvantaged people who are not covered under the existing reservation schemes. However, the EWS amendments have also been criticized by some people who believe that they are unfair to people who are not from marginalized communities.
The EWS amendments are a relatively new development, and it is still too early to say how effective they will be in providing opportunities to economically disadvantaged people. However, the EWS amendments are a step in the right direction, and it is hoped that they will help to reduce inequality in India.

Key Amendments to the Constitution made by the 103rd Amendment Act:

Article 15(6) was inserted to empower the State to make special provisions for the advancement of any economically weaker sections of citizens other than the SCs, STs, and OBCs.
Article 16(6) was inserted to empower the State to make provisions for reservation in matters of appointment of any class of persons in the services under the State in proportion to the population in that State.

The EWS amendments have been implemented in a phased manner. In the first phase, the EWS amendments were implemented in educational institutions. In the second phase, the EWS amendments were implemented in government jobs.
The EWS amendments have been met with mixed reactions. Some people believe that the EWS amendments are a positive step towards providing opportunities to economically disadvantaged people. Others believe that the EWS amendments are unfair to people who are not from marginalized communities.
It is still too early to say how effective the EWS amendments will be in providing opportunities to economically disadvantaged people. However, the EWS amendments are a step in the right direction, and it is hoped that they will help to reduce inequality in India.