Assam GK Topic

What Is The Eligibility Criteria For Economically Weaker Section (ews) In Assam Public Service Commission (apsc)?

The Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category was introduced by the Government of India to provide reservation benefits to financially disadvantaged individuals belonging to the General (Unreserved) category. In Assam, the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) follows the state government’s guidelines for EWS reservation as per Government OM No. ABP.07/2019/4, dated 10th April 2019.

Use this topic to revise for APSC, SSC, and other competitive exams.

Detailed Notes

This article provides a complete overview of the EWS eligibility criteria, required certificates, rules, and frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to the APSC examinations.

1. Application Fee Requirement for EWS Candidates  in Assam Public Service Commission (APSC)

Candidates belonging to the EWS category are required to pay the application fee applicable to their category during APSC online registration.
Unlike some other reserved categories, EWS candidates do not receive a full exemption from payment of the examination fee.

2. Selection and Merit Rules for EWS Candidates in Assam Public Service Commission (APSC)

If an EWS candidate qualifies on merit without availing any relaxation (such as age limit or cut-off marks), they are considered under the Unreserved (General) category.
However, if they utilize any EWS-related relaxation or concession, they will be counted against the EWS quota only.

This ensures transparency and fairness in the APSC selection process.

3. Change of Category Rules for EWS Applicants in Assam Public Service Commission (APSC)

Once a candidate submits their APSC application form, the category selected cannot be changed afterward.
For example:

  • If a candidate applies under the Unreserved (UR) category and later requests to change to EWS, the Commission will not entertain the request.

  • Similarly, a candidate who applied under EWS cannot switch to another reserved category later.

The category selection made at the time of application is final and binding throughout the recruitment process.

4. Changing from EWS to General Category After Results in Assam Public Service Commission (APSC)

EWS candidates who are recommended under the EWS quota cannot later claim seats in the Unreserved/General category, even after the final result is declared.
Only those who were selected purely on merit (without EWS benefits) can be treated as General category candidates.

5. Income Year Considered for EWS Certificate in Assam Public Service Commission (APSC)

The Income and Asset Certificate (I&AC) for EWS candidates should be based on the financial year immediately preceding the year of application.

Example:
If a candidate applies for an APSC exam where the application closing date is 31st March 2021, then the EWS certificate must be based on income for the financial year 2019–2020 and dated on or before 30th March 2021.

This ensures that the income details are recent and accurately represent the candidate’s financial position.

6. Important Precautions Before Applying as EWS in Assam Public Service Commission (APSC)

Before applying for any APSC examination under the EWS category, candidates must ensure that they meet all the eligibility requirements and hold valid documentation.

Key precautions include:

  • The EWS certificate must be issued in the prescribed government format.

  • The certificate must be dated before the closing date of the application.

  • The issuing authority’s signature, seal, and designation must be present (digital certificates must comply with e-sign guidelines).

  • Candidates must verify that the certificate is issued by a competent authority as defined by the Assam government notification.

Failing to meet these conditions may lead to rejection of candidature.

7. Checklist for EWS Candidates Before Submitting Application in Assam Public Service Commission (APSC)

Candidates applying under the EWS category should confirm that:

  1. The Income & Asset Certificate (I&AC) is valid and issued before the closing date.

  2. It follows the official format available on APSC’s website.

  3. It bears the signature and seal of the issuing officer.

  4. It complies with the Government of Assam’s Office Memorandum No. ABP.07/2019/4 dated 10th April 2019.

Only candidates fulfilling all the above conditions will be eligible for EWS reservation in APSC recruitment.

8. Non-Availability of EWS Certificate in Assam Public Service Commission (APSC)

Candidates without a valid Income & Asset Certificate will not be considered under EWS quota.
Such candidates can still appear for the examination but will be treated as Unreserved (UR) candidates only.

Hence, it is essential to obtain the EWS certificate before the last date of application submission.

9. Age Relaxation for EWS Candidates in Assam Public Service Commission (APSC)

Unlike other reserved categories such as SC, ST, or OBC, no additional age relaxation is provided to EWS candidates in APSC examinations.
All EWS applicants must meet the same age criteria applicable to General category candidates.

10. Cut-off Date for Acceptance of Income & Asset Certificate in Assam Public Service Commission (APSC)

The EWS certificate must be dated before the application closing date or before any other cut-off date mentioned in the official APSC notification.

Example:
If the closing date of the application for APSC CCE (Preliminary) is 31st March 2022, the EWS certificate should be dated on or before 30th March 2022.

Any certificate issued after this date will not be accepted for that particular examination.

11. Where to Find the Official Format for EWS Certificate in Assam Public Service Commission (APSC)

The prescribed format for the EWS Income & Asset Certificate (I&AC) is available on the official Assam Public Service Commission website — www.apsc.nic.in.

You can find it under the “Forms & Downloads” section.

Candidates should download and use only this official format to ensure acceptance of their certificate during verification.

12. Key Points to Remember in Assam Public Service Commission (APSC)

  • EWS candidates must pay the standard application fee.

  • Category change after application submission is not allowed.

  • The EWS certificate must be valid, verified, and issued by a competent authority.

  • No age relaxation is available for EWS candidates.

  • Always refer to the latest APSC notification for updated instructions.

Conclusion

The Economically Weaker Section (EWS) reservation under the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) is a crucial step toward providing equal opportunities to financially underprivileged candidates from the General category.
However, aspirants must carefully follow the eligibility criteria, certificate guidelines, and application rules to ensure their claim for EWS reservation is valid.

Proper documentation, timely application, and adherence to the official format are essential for EWS candidates aiming to build a successful career in Assam’s administrative and government services.

In Short

Question: What is the eligibility criteria for Economically Weaker Section (EWS) candidates in APSC exams?

Answer: EWS candidates in APSC must possess a valid Income & Asset Certificate based on the previous financial year, issued by a competent authority before the application’s closing date. No age relaxation applies, and category changes after submission are not permitted.