EWS Full Form

The full form of EWS is the “Economically Weaker Section“. The term EWS refers to individuals or families who belong to the economically weaker section of society as defined by the government of India. The government has set specific criteria to determine the eligibility of individuals or families to be considered as EWS. These criteria generally include income, assets, and occupation. Individuals or families who meet these criteria are considered to be economically weaker and are eligible for certain benefits and concessions provided by the government, such as reservation in education and employment and access to government schemes and programs.

The main objective of EWS is to provide a level playing field to the economically weaker sections of society and to ensure that they have access to the same opportunities and resources as others. The government has implemented EWS to address the issue of poverty and inequality in India and to ensure that the weaker section of society does not fall behind in terms of education and employment opportunities.

The History of EWS

• The concept of the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) in India has its roots in the country’s efforts to address poverty and inequality. However, the specific history of the EWS category is relatively recent.
• The EWS category was first introduced in India in the year 2019 by the Indian Government to provide 10% reservation for the economically weaker sections of society. The government introduced the EWS category in an effort to provide reservations to the economically weaker sections of society who do not fall under the existing categories of Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC). This was done to provide a level playing field to the economically weaker sections of society and to ensure that they have access to the same opportunities and resources as others.
• The EWS reservation was introduced in the Indian constitution through the 103rd constitutional amendment act. The act was passed by both houses of the Indian parliament and was signed into law by the president of India on January 12th, 2019.
• It’s important to note that the EWS category is different from the existing reservation categories and is based on economic criteria rather than social or historical discrimination.

Eligibility Criteria for EWS

1. Income: The annual income of the family should not exceed Rs. 8 lakhs per annum.
2. Landholding: The family should not own more than 5 acres of agricultural land.
3. Residential House: The family should not own a residential house with a plot area of more than 1,000 square feet in notified municipalities or more than 150 square yards in non-notified municipalities.
4. Residential Plot: The family should not own a residential plot of more than 100 square yards in notified municipalities or more than 209 square yards in non-notified municipalities in areas other than those covered under (3) above.
5. Deposit in Cooperative Societies: The family should not have a deposit of more than Rs. 10 lacks in any cooperative society.
6. Deposit in Banks/Post Office: The family should not have a deposit of more than Rs. 1 lakh in any bank or post office.
7. Motor Vehicles: The family should not own any motor vehicle.

Benefits of EWS 

1. Reservation in government jobs and educational institutions: EWS individuals and households are eligible for reservation in government jobs and educational institutions under the EWS quota. This can help to increase access to employment and education opportunities for marginalized communities.
2. Housing schemes: EWS individuals and households are eligible for various housing schemes, such as the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, which provides financial assistance for the construction or purchase of a home.
3. Financial assistance: EWS individuals and households may be eligible for financial assistance through various government schemes, such as the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana and the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana.
4. Priority sector lending: Banks are mandated to lend a certain percentage of their loan portfolio to the priority sector, which includes EWS individuals and households.
5. Subsidies and concessions: EWS individuals and households may be eligible for subsidies and concessions on various goods and services, such as electricity and water.
6. Tax benefits: EWS individuals and households may be eligible for tax benefits, such as deductions and exemptions, under various government schemes.
7. Improved access to public services: EWS individuals and households may have improved access to public services such as healthcare, sanitation, and education, as a result of the various schemes and policies implemented for their benefit.

Impact of EWS 

1. Increased access to employment and education opportunities: The EWS quota has provided increased access to government jobs and educational institutions for marginalized communities, which can help to improve economic and social conditions for these groups.
2. Improved housing conditions: The EWS quota has also helped to improve housing conditions for marginalized communities, through various housing schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.
3. Reduced poverty and inequality: The EWS quota has helped to reduce poverty and inequality in India, by providing financial assistance and other benefits to marginalized communities.
4. Increased awareness of the economic weaker section: The EWS quota has helped to increase awareness of the economic weaker section and the issues they face, and has also brought attention to the need for more inclusive policies.
5. Misuse of the scheme: The EWS scheme has faced criticism for its implementation, lack of transparency, and potential misuse. Some people who do not fall under the criteria of EWS have been able to avail the benefits of the scheme by producing fake documents or bribing officials.
6. Impact on the general category: There have been concerns that the EWS quota may negatively impact the general category, as it reduces the number of seats available for them in government jobs and educational institutions.
7. Lack of proper implementation: The lack of proper implementation of the EWS scheme has resulted in difficulties in identifying the real beneficiaries and providing them with benefits.

Implementation of EWS 

The implementation of Economic Weaker Section (EWS) quota involves several key steps and processes:

1. Determining eligibility: The first step in implementing EWS is determining whether an individual or household is eligible for the quota. This is typically done by assessing the income and assets of the individual or household, and comparing them to the specified limits for EWS.
2. Application process: Individuals or households who believe they are eligible for EWS will typically need to submit an application to the relevant government agency, along with supporting documentation such as income and asset statements.
3. Verification and validation: Once an application is submitted, it will be reviewed and verified by the relevant government agency. This process may involve site visits, document verification, and other measures to ensure that the applicant is truly eligible for EWS.
4. Issuance of certificate: Once an application is verified and validated, the relevant government agency will issue an EWS certificate to the applicant. This certificate serves as proof of EWS status and can be used to access benefits and privileges under the EWS quota.
5. Monitoring and enforcement: The government agency responsible for EWS will also be responsible for monitoring and enforcing the quota. This may involve regular audits, investigations, and other measures to ensure that the quota is being implemented properly and that only truly eligible individuals and households are accessing benefits and privileges.
6. Review and updates: The EWS criteria and guidelines are reviewed and updated by the government from time to time, to adapt to the changing economic conditions of the country.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Economic Weaker Section (EWS) quota is a government scheme aimed at providing increased access to government jobs and educational institutions, housing schemes, financial assistance, and other benefits to marginalized communities. However, there have been criticisms of the scheme, such as misuse, lack of transparency, negative impact on the general category, lack of proper implementation, complexity and inadequate allocation of resources. The Government and society at large, are working towards addressing these criticisms, and to ensure that the real beneficiaries are able to access the benefits of the scheme and it is implemented in a fair and transparent manner.