Updated for 2026 · How to get the EWS (Income & Asset) Certificate in Tamil Nadu for the 10% General-category reservation.
- EWS = the 10% reservation for the General category — not for people already under SC/ST/OBC.
- The proof is the Income & Asset Certificate, issued by the Tahsildar.
- Family income must be under ₹8 lakh per year from all sources combined.
- Property limits apply too — large land or a big house can disqualify you even under ₹8 lakh.
- Apply on e-Sevai or at the taluk office; issued on the central proforma.
- Treat it as valid for the financial year — most recruiters want a current-year certificate.
What the EWS certificate actually is
EWS stands for Economically Weaker Section. It is the 10% reservation introduced for people in the General category — that is, families who do not already fall under SC, ST or the OBC/MBC/BC categories but whose income is low. If you belong to a reserved community you use that certificate instead; EWS is specifically for General-category families who need an economic-basis reservation for a job or a college seat.
The document that proves your eligibility is called the Income and Asset Certificate. People call it the "EWS certificate", but on paper that is its name, and it is issued on a standard proforma prescribed by the Government of India so that it is accepted across central and state recruitment.
Who is eligible — income and property both
Two tests must both be satisfied. People often check only the income and are refused on the property test, so read both.
| Test | Limit to stay eligible |
|---|---|
| Annual family income | Below ₹8 lakh from all sources — salary, agriculture, business, profession — for the financial year before you apply |
| Agricultural land | Family must hold less than 5 acres |
| Residential flat | Below 1,000 sq ft |
| Residential plot (notified municipality) | Below 100 sq yards |
| Residential plot (other areas) | Below 200 sq yards |
"Family" means you, your parents, your unmarried siblings, and — if you are married — your spouse and children. The income and property of all of them are added together.
The income test is not just your salary. It is all income of the whole family from every source — agricultural income, rent, business profit and salary combined — for the previous financial year. Declaring only one earner's salary when the family also has farm or rental income is the commonest reason an EWS certificate is later cancelled. Be complete and honest, because the certificate can be verified against your other records.
Documents to keep ready
• Ration card / family card to establish the family.
• Income proof — salary certificate, or an income certificate already issued, plus any agricultural or business income details.
• Property details — patta / land records and details of any house or plot.
• Passport photo and a filled application / self-declaration.
How to apply — step by step
The cleanest route is online through e-Sevai, though a taluk-office visit does the same thing.
After you apply
The application goes to the VAO for verification and then to the Tahsildar for approval, exactly like an income certificate. You can track the status on the e-Sevai portal with your application number. Once issued, download the certificate and check every detail — name spelling, income figure and the financial year — before you submit it anywhere, because a mismatch with your other documents will get the whole application returned.
EWS, community certificate and income certificate — don't confuse them
These three come up together and people mix them up. An income certificate simply states your family's annual income and is used for scholarships, fee concessions and as supporting proof. A community certificate establishes that you belong to a particular caste category and is the basis for SC, ST or the BC/MBC/OBC reservations. The EWS Income and Asset Certificate is different again — it is for General-category families with no community reservation, and it certifies both low income and limited property. You cannot substitute one for another: a recruiter asking for an EWS certificate will not accept a plain income certificate, because the income certificate says nothing about your assets.
Why EWS applications get returned
The two most common reasons are both avoidable. The first is under-declaring family income — leaving out a second earner, agricultural income or rent — which surfaces when the VAO verifies and gets the application rejected. The second is the property test: a family comfortably under ₹8 lakh in income can still be disqualified by owning five acres or more of agricultural land, or a house or plot above the size limits. Check both tests honestly before you apply. A certificate obtained by leaving out income or assets can be cancelled later, and cancellation at the point of a job appointment is far worse than not qualifying in the first place.
Frequently asked questions
About ComplyKraft. Built by Dinesh Kumar S in Chennai — B.Sc. Mathematics, M.Sc. IT. Plain-language guides to Tamil Nadu government services and schemes.
Disclaimer: Informational guide, updated 2026. This is not official government communication. Processes, fees and timelines are set by the Government of Tamil Nadu and can change — confirm on the official portal before acting.