Empowering The Underprivileged: EWS Reservation In India

March 30, 2024
EWS RESERVATION IN INDIA

India, a country recognized for its variety and extensive cultural legacy, has long been faced with the challenges of disparities and social injustice. To promote equitable treatment, the Indian government has carried out a number of measures targeted at improving the lot of those who are disadvantaged. The reservation system is a prime example that aims to give those in the less fortunate sections of society options.

EWS Reservation in India

  • The EWS reservation was implemented in 2019 by the PM Modi-led government through the 103rd amendments to the Indian Constitution. Clause 6 of Articles 15 and 16 of the Constitution for fundamental rights was amended to include the EWS reservation quota. The economically weaker general category is given preference in employment and educational institutions under this clause.
  • The amendment for reservation for economically weaker sections states that private as well as public educational institutions may use this reserve. Minority educational institutions are not subject to the legislation, though.

criteria for ews reservation

The ews quota eligibility criteria are:

  • To obtain an ews certificate for general category, you must be a member of the general category; in Tamil Nadu, this implies you cannot be a member of the MBC category or the SC/ST/OBC categories, which already have reservations.
  • As per the ews quota criteria, your family’s yearly income ought to be less than 8 lakh rupees. A yearly income above Rs. 8 lakhs does not qualify as economically weak and, therefore, does not fit under the economically weaker section (EWS).
  • Any agricultural land that your family owns should not exceed five acres.

If you live in an apartment with your family, it should be smaller than 1000 square feet according to the ews reservation eligibility.

EWS reservation criteria: How to Apply?

  • Your local government agency (Tehsil) is where you can obtain the EWS certificate. 
  • The documentation needed to be eligible for the EWS category reservation is termed an “Income and Assets Certificate.”
  • The government has not established an online process for obtaining an EWS certificate. You must visit your neighbourhood Tehsil or other local government representatives. 
  • Along with the Income and Assets Certificate (available for download from numerous government websites), you will also require the following documents: bank statements, an Aadhar card, a PAN card, a passport-sized photo, etc.

EWS reservation percentage

A few days ago, the Indian Supreme Court upheld the thirteenth amendment to the Constitution, which established a 10 percent quota for socially and economically disadvantaged individuals based on societal standards, by a majority vote of three to two.

An Indian reservation is a percentage structure that is determined by supporting plans and is governed by regulations pertaining to our nation’s constitution.

Current quota % structure:

  • For OBC: 27%
  • For SC: 15%
  • For ST: 7.5%
  • For EWS: 10%

EWS reservation criteria: Challenges

Having Trouble Handling Data:

  • Since most upper caste citizens engage primarily in private activities rather than holding public office, the central government and all state governments lack accurate data regarding the annual income of all citizens in their respective areas, particularly higher-class citizens earning less than rupees eight lakh annually. 
  • This raises concerns about how to handle the proper data. The majority of citizens are able to apply fraudulently and benefit from the ews quota.

Unpredictable Criteria:

  • The central government’s recommended criteria are extensive and lack appropriate criteria for a specific number of funding sources, which raises additional data concerns.
  • In order to note the financial outlays made by state governments to give this EWS quota in their individual states, the Supreme Court questioned the union government regarding the GDP per capita for each state.
  • If we look at the high and low per capita incomes, we can see that in general, the per capita income in our nation differs from state to state depending on their resources.

The Indian Constitution’s reservation clause was intended to serve as a means of representation for societal segments that had been disregarded from the outset. Reservation strives to uphold the preamble’s commitment to social justice. The reservation’s goal is to elevate the socially backward rather than the EWS. A constitutional structure known as reservations was created to ensure that the underprivileged could take part in the process of constructing their country. It was instituted to ensure that the disadvantaged were adequately represented. The constitutional reservation framework has been perverted by the EWS quota.

EWS Reservation in India FAQs

1. Which caste is under EWS?

It has been determined that the Karnataka EWS reservation will assist the following five communities: Brahmins, Arya Vaisyas, Mudaliars, Jains, and Nagarathas. Muslims are currently the newest members of this group.

2. What is the rule of EWS?

The candidate’s family’s annual income cannot exceed Rs. 8 lakhs. Their family cannot possess more than five acres of farmland. The area of the residential flat must not exceed 1000 square feet. If the residential plot is located in a sector of the notified municipality, its area should not exceed 100 square yards.

3. What are the benefits of EWS quota?

The 10% reserve for appointments at educational institutions provided by the EWS law increases employment prospects and perks. Furthermore, in the event that an individual’s salary falls below the designated threshold, the reservation also applies to civil jobs and civil services.

4. Can EWS take general seat?

No, after the final results are announced, EWS candidates, aside from those recommended based only on general merit, will not be permitted to switch from EWS to Unreserved/General or apply for open positions (Service/Cadre) in the Unreserved/General category.

5. What are the disadvantages of EWS certificate?

Economically disadvantaged groups in society are granted preference in a number of government positions and colleges under the EWS program. Therefore, if you have an EWS certificate, you will benefit from the 10% reservation that is available to students in the EWS category. In general, there are no drawbacks to an EWS certificate.

6. Is EWS certificate important?

The EWS (Economically Weaker Section) certificate is essential for locating and assisting individuals who fall under the general category yet face financial hardship. For those who come from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families in the general category, this certificate is essential.

7. What is the difference between EWS and general EWS?

Family income determines how general and general EWS differ from one another. A person falls within the EWS subcategory of the general category if their family’s income is less than Rs 8 lakhs. Because of this, the government grants EWS candidates a 10% reservation, just like it does for other restricted categories.

8. Can government employees get EWS certificate?

Regarding government workers, the state or federal government’s particular regulations and procedures may have an impact on the availability and eligibility for an EWS certificate. In general, government workers who satisfy the income and asset requirements established by the government may be qualified for an EWS certificate.

9. Who are excluded from EWS reservation?

The current compensatory discrimination in favour of SEBCs, OBCs, SCs, and STs excludes the EWS along with all other excluded classes and individuals.

10. Is EWS certificate valid all over India?

The EWS Certificate of Proof is a document that entitles the economically disadvantaged groups in society, including the EWS, to reservations in government and educational positions nationwide.

11. What is the difference between EWS and income certificate?

The economically weaker category is granted an income and asset certificate known as the EWS certificate. The caste of an individual is not disclosed on their income certificate. On the other hand, an income certificate attests to a family’s income for the year it is granted. To get the EWS certificate, you must have an income certificate.

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