What is the economically weaker section (EWS)?
The reservation policy was first made in 1950, where it included the reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST). Later on, 6% of the seats were reserved for the Scheduled Castes, 7% for the Scheduled Tribes and 5% for the Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
After many decades, a new reservation policy has been announced by the government. This time it includes 10% economically weaker section reservations, now called EWS. The candidates eligible for this reservation are from the general category that can fulfill the criteria to fall under this category.
Criteria for eligibility in Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category
The candidates eligible for the economically weaker section reservation are from the general category. This reservation is applicable if you fulfill their criteria: general category with annual income upto Rs 8 lakhs. You will also be considered for this reservation if you live on rent or have a house smaller than 60 square yards.
If you are an aspiring government job seeker or a student aspiring for admission to your dream institute but happen to fall in the general category and do not belong to any of the reserved categories, you can enjoy this 10% reservation under the economically weaker section or EWS, provided you meet the eligibility ews category. The main eligibility condition is poverty. Other eligibility criteria include:
- To secure this seat, you must fall under the general category, which means you cannot belong to the SC/ST/OBC categories that already have reservations and the MBC category in the case of Tamil Nadu.
- Your family’s annual income should be less than Rs 8 lakh. A yearly income of more than Rs. 8 lakh cannot be considered low-income and so cannot be classified as economically disadvantaged (EWS).
- If you have any agricultural land in your family, it should be fewer than 5 acres.
- If you or your family possesses a flat, it should be less than 1000 square feet in size.