Any candidate can bag the All India Rank-1 in the UPSC Civil Services Exam, irrespective of their caste, gender, or economic criteria. The Economically Weaker Section (EWS) has been put forth for those economically weaker in the General category, and hence, it does not affect the final rank adversely.

What are the benefits given for the EWS?

There are two benefits to the EWS section- 1) a 10% reservation in the final list (on top of the existing reservation parameters given for the other sections (SC, ST, and OBC). 2) A relaxation in cut-off marks, i.e., the cut-off marks to clear Prelims, Mains, and the final allotment list, which will be lesser than that of the general category, similar to that of the relaxation given to other sections (SC, ST, and OBC). The key difference between the benefits given is that there is no age relaxation for EWS, and hence, the upper age limit remains at 32 years of age.

How is the ranking done?

Regardless of the reservation, parameters, and relaxation in cut-off marks, the ranking is ultimately based on the final marks that an aspirant secures. This will be a combination of the marks that the aspirant gets in the Mains exam, combined with their Interview marks. Hence, any aspirant can get the All India Rank-1 if they put forth hard work and smart work to increase their final score.

What are the current parameters to be eligible for the EWS category?

To be qualified for the EWS certificate, you must meet all of the following requirements:

1. The aspirant must come under the “general” category (not covered under reservation for SC, ST, or OBC).
2. The aspirant’s family’s annual gross income should be less than Rs. 8 lakhs. (This included income from agriculture, business, salary for the financial year preceding your application for the exam).
3. The aspirant’s family should not hold agricultural land of more than 5 acres.
4. The aspirant’s family should not own a 1000-square-foot or larger residential flat.
5. The aspirant’s family should not own a residential site of 100 square yards or greater (in notified municipalities).
6. The aspirant’s family should not own a home plot of 200 square yards or more (unless in notified municipalities).

What constitutes a family?

For the purposes of reservation, ‘family’ includes the following:

• The person who is seeking reservation.
• His or her parents
• His/her siblings under the age of 18.
• His/her spouse and children under the age of 18.

The EWS certificate can be obtained from your local government authority (Tehsil). The certificate is known as an ‘Income and Assets Certificate.’ It is required to obtain the EWS reservation.

The aspirants must consult with their local Tehsil or other local government entity to obtain their EWS certificate. Along with their income and asset certificates, they will require additional documents like an Aadhar Card, a Pan Card, bank statements, a passport-sized photo, etc.

Only certificates provided by the following authorities will be considered as a validation of an EWS candidate’s eligibility:

• District Magistrate/Additional District Magistrate/Collector/Deputy Commissioner/Additional Deputy Commissioner/1st Class Stipendiary Magistrate/ Sub-Divisional Magistrate/Taluka Magistrate/Executive Magistrate/Extra Assistant Commissioner
• Chief Presidency Magistrate/Additional Chief Presidency Magistrate/ Presidency Magistrate
• Revenue Officer not below the rank of Tehsildar and
• Sub-Divisional Officer of the area where the candidate and his family normally reside.

Recently, the Union Government has decided to examine the criteria for qualifying for reservation under the economically weaker sections (EWS) category. The major criterion under scrutiny is the annual household income of Rs. 8 lakhs. Hence, the requirements mentioned above are likely to change soon. If you have any more doubts regarding the EWS reservation or the changes it may go through, please feel free to contact us at +919677174226. Regardless, this should not be a cause of worry for any of my fellow students and aspirants. What matters is that you should continue having the fire to serve our Nation and work till you achieve success in it.