OBCs Not in Central List Can Apply under EWS, FAQs

OBCs Not in Central List Can Apply under EWS as informed by Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) in a list of FAQs released on their website. All those who represents the Other Backward Classes (OBC) communities in the State list but not in the Central list will be eligible to apply for posts and services of the Government of India under the EWS quota criteria, provided they fulfill all other requirements under the 10% reservation provided for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS).

This is also informed that the members of the Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes will not be eligible to apply for Central government positions irrespective of where they reside (even if the State of residence does not recognize their community as an SC or ST).

Who is Eligible for EWS ?

The FAQs also specified that a family’s earnings from monthly pension payouts and all other sources like salary, agriculture, business, profession, etc. for the financial year prior to the year of application will be counted as the family’s income. It added that in all cases, only the gross income/earnings will be counted to check for the exclusion criteria.

For e.g. If someone is having a Gross salary of Rs.1O Lakh but as per income tax return total income comes out to Rs.6 Lakh. In that case, the person is not eligible for EWS as It is always gross salary/gross income.

Under the EWS criteria, apart from asset holding test, persons whose family has gross annual income below ?8 Iakh are to be identified as EWSs for the benefit of reservation.

Who is eligible for EWS certificate in India?

There is a provision for 10% reservation for economically weaker sections (EWSs) in direct recruitment to civil posts and services in the Central Government, who are not covered by the reservation plan for SCs/STs/OBCs. In addition to the asset test, individuals must be classified as EWSs in order to qualify for reservation benefits if

1. The family’s gross yearly income is less than Rs 8.00 Iakh (Rupees eight lakh only).
2. Income for this purpose includes earnings from all sources, such as salaries, businesses, professions, and income from agriculture for the fiscal year prior to the year of application.
3. Gross income that has been taken into account for income tax purposes will be the income used for this purpose. Whether money earned through Provided Fund, Gratuity or other pensionary benefits in a particular financial year at the time of retirement will be counted as family income?
4. As per Para 4.1 of DoPT O.M. No. 36039/1/2019-Estt.(Res.), dated 31.01.2019, apart from asset holding test, persons whose family has gross annual income below Rs 8.00 Iakh (Rupees eight lakh only) are to be identified as EWSs for benefit of reservation.
5. Income for the purpose shall include income from all sources i.e. salary, agriculture, business, profession, etc. for the financial year prior to the year of application.
6. The income for this purpose will be. gross income taken into account for the purpose of Income Tax.
7. Will monthly pension/family pension be counted for family income? Yes.  “,

The DoPT’s list of clarifications on recruiting for the EWS quota added that in case any of the recent clarifications contradicted the regulations prescribed in the OM dated 31.9.2019, then the earlier one will prevail. “The clarification contained in this FAQs shall be effective from the date of issue of this OM and it will not be applicable to the cases settled before the date of issue of this OM. Further the clarifications are subject to outcome of different cases pending before various courts on the subject,” the DoPT added. Also Read – Banks reluctant to Sanction Education Loan, As NPA Reaches to 10%

The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has issued a series of FAQs that may be useful when the responsible authorities issue Income & Asset Certificates to candidates. DoPT issued the FAQs on September 19, 2022. For any question in Apply under EWS, put in comment below !