How to Renew Your EWS Certificate?

The Government covers 10% of Indians from non-reserved categories (other than SC/ST/OBC) with annual incomes below ₹8 Lakhs through the EWS quota. Under this scheme, the authorities provide special perks by issuing an EWS certificate to eligible applicants from the general category, ensuring they can overcome significant educational and financial hurdles. 

Even if an EWS certificate is issued upon successful verification, its validity lasts up to one year after the issuance date. Therefore, you must learn how to renew your EWS certificate to ensure continued benefits.

If you want a full procedure breakdown, we have outlined it simply in this guide.

Yes, EWS certificates need to be renewed as they have a validity period of one year from the date of issue. However, the expiration date can vary at the discretion of the relevant state authority. 

Thus, interested applicants can renew their EWS certificate by providing updated proof of income and checking their eligibility for the associated benefits.

The majority of Indian State Governments accept EWS certificates for one year. If you get a new EWS certificate in any month, you can enjoy the entitled benefits for up to 31st March of the upcoming year. 

So, suppose your State Government grants you an EWS certificate in April 2024. In that case, it will remain valid till 31st March 2025. During this timeframe, you can claim all the corresponding benefits.

If you are unsure about how to renew your old EWS certificate, then consider following these instructions:

Step 1: First, open your state government's official e-services portal. 

Step 2: Locate the Revenue Department or other sections listing EWS certificates. 

Step 3: If you are a new user, you must create a profile before proceeding. Otherwise, you can move to the next step by entering valid login credentials. 

Step 4: Select either of the options “Income Certificate for EWS” or “EWS Certificate Renewal”. 

Step 5: In this step, you must mention your existing EWS certificate number, along with your details like name, address, parent’s name, and updated contact details. Finally, you must provide relevant income details for the recent financial year. 

Step 6: You must scan and upload the soft copies of your Aadhaar card, ration card, and certain income proof documents.

Step 7: To complete the transaction, you can choose among the offered modes of payment. Finally, after reviewing the entered details, you must submit your application. 

In most cases, you will hear back from the authorities within the next 21 business days. They will send you a verification alert to your registered phone number. You can track your application through the official website even if you do not receive this message on time.

Here’s a quick guide on how to renew your EWS certificate offline:

Step 1: You can visit your area's District Magistrate/ Tahsildar office and ask for the EWS certificate renewal form. A designated official will assist you in the process. 

Step 2: In the renewal form, provide your name (as per official documents), contact information, family details, income details, and other additional information. You must also attach passport-size photos of yourself in the mentioned boxes. 

Step 3: Please review the guidelines once you have attached all essential documents. If everything is present, submit your form to the respective authority office.

Step 4: After submitting your EWS renewal form, you will be assigned a reference number to track the approval status. 

Step 5: Authorised personnel check your eligibility according to the provided details. You can easily verify the renewal status online through the designated platform or by visiting the Tahsildar's office, where you must mention the reference number issued earlier.

If all goes well, you will receive a new EWS certificate within 15 days of submitting a renewal request.

If you have requested a renewal of your EWS certificate or lodged a fresh application, your request will be processed within approximately 21 days. 

After a valid certificate has been granted, you can download it directly from your state government’s designated portal. It is recommended that you also print out a copy for future use. 

Declaring Incorrect Income:

Ignoring Asset Limits:

Not Updating Address:

Applying for a Late Renewal:

You must ensure that you renew your EWS certificate well before its expiry date. Late renewals can lead to delays and potential issues with receiving benefits.

That being said, now you clearly understand how to renew your EWS certificate. So, if you belong to one of the eligible general category families, you can easily claim the promised benefits by following the instructions mentioned here. 

For any related help, you may contact your respective state government’s official website or visit the Tahsildar office.