The concept of reservation in India has long been a topic of contention and debate. The aim is to uplift the historically disadvantaged sections of society, ensuring equality of opportunity and representation. In this context, the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) reservation was introduced, and it has also been extended to aspirants of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exams.
The EWS reservation was introduced in 2019 after the government passed the 103rd Constitutional Amendment Act. It aimed to provide a 10% reservation in educational institutions and government jobs for individuals from economically weaker sections who do not fall under the existing reservation categories. This quota was introduced to ensure that economic criteria, in addition to social and educational background, are taken into account while granting reservation benefits.
To understand who can apply for the UPSC exam with an EWS certificate, we need to look closely at the eligibility criteria. According to the UPSC guidelines, candidates need to fulfill certain requirements to be eligible for the exam. These include nationality, educational qualifications, and age limit.
Citizenship and educational qualifications remain the same for all candidates, regardless of whether they fall under the general category or any reserved category, including EWS. However, the age limit is where the EWS reservation comes into play.
Candidates belonging to the EWS category can apply for the UPSC exam if they meet the age limit criteria. The upper age limit is relaxed for EWS candidates. The general category candidates aged between 21 and 32 years can appear for the exam, whereas the upper age limit is relaxed for EWS candidates up to 35 years.
To apply under the EWS category, candidates need to possess a valid EWS certificate issued by a competent authority. The EWS certificate is issued based on certain income and asset criteria defined by the government. The income and assets of the candidate’s family should fall below the pre-determined thresholds to be eligible for the EWS reservation.
The EWS certificate is valid for one year from the date of issuance and needs to be renewed annually to avail the benefits of reservation. It is essential to note that EWS candidates need to obtain the certificate before the UPSC application process begins as it is required to be uploaded during the application process.
It is pertinent to mention that the EWS reservation applies only to the preliminary examination of the UPSC and not the subsequent stages. Once a candidate clears the preliminary exam, they will be considered under the general category for the mains examination and the final selection process.
To be eligible for the EWS category reservation, candidates must fulfill certain criteria. These criteria include annual family income, possession of assets, and the residential criteria. Let’s delve deeper into these qualifying factors.
1. Annual Family Income: According to the Government guidelines, the annual family income of the candidate’s household should not exceed Rs. 8 lakhs. This includes the income from all sources such as salary, agriculture, business, profession, etc. The income of parents, guardians, or the candidate and their siblings, if any, is taken into consideration.
2. Possession of Assets: The candidate’s family should not own more than 5 acres of agricultural land, a residential flat of more than 1000 square feet, a residential plot of more than 100 square yards in notified municipalities, or a residential plot of more than 200 square yards in areas other than notified municipalities. The ownership criteria also include a minimum plot size. If the candidate’s family owns any of the mentioned properties exceeding the prescribed limits, they will not be eligible for the EWS category reservation.
3. Residential Criteria: The candidate should also meet the residential criteria specified by the Government. The EWS reservation is available to candidates who are not living in their own residential property in a notified municipality. If the candidate’s family owns a residential property in a notified municipality, they will not be eligible for the EWS reservation. However, if the candidate’s family owns a residential property in an area other than the notified municipality, they can claim the benefit of EWS category reservation.
It is important for candidates applying for the UPSC exam under the EWS category to obtain a valid EWS certificate. The certificate is issued by the competent authority designated by the State Government. Usually, it is the Tehsildar or the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) who can issue this certificate. To obtain the EWS certificate, candidates are required to submit relevant documents such as income proof, land records, property documents, and other necessary documents as specified by the concerned authority.
It is crucial for aspiring candidates to fulfill the eligibility criteria and obtain the EWS certificate before applying for the UPSC exam. The EWS reservation provides a level playing field for candidates from economically weaker sections of society, enabling them to compete with candidates from other categories.