EWS Certificate for IBPS – Eligibility, Validity, Format & Rules (2025)
The EWS Certificate for IBPS is an essential document for candidates applying under the Economically Weaker Sections category in the IBPS Clerk, PO, and RRB recruitment exams. IBPS follows strict EWS rules as per Government of India guidelines, and candidates must produce an EWS certificate in the prescribed format at the time of document verification. Failure to do so leads to disqualification from EWS benefits.
The complete IBPS EWS certificate rules are mentioned on Page 10 of the official IBPS CRP CSA XV notification. This article explains EWS eligibility, certificate format, validity, documents required, cut-off rules for EWS candidates, and the importance of an EWS certificate for IBPS exams. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
What Is EWS Certificate for IBPS?
An EWS certificate for IBPS is an income-based reservation certificate issued to candidates belonging to the “Economically Weaker Section” under the General (Unreserved) category. It provides:
- 10% reservation in IBPS Clerk and other banking posts
- Lower cut-off in some states
- Higher chances of provisional allotment
However, IBPS strictly follows the Government of India’s EWS criteria, and only valid certificates are accepted.
EWS Eligibility Criteria for IBPS (As per IBPS Notification)
On Page 10 of the IBPS CRP CSA XV notification, IBPS clearly mentions that candidates must meet the following conditions to claim EWS reservation: :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Income Limit:
- Family annual income must be less than ₹8,00,000.
- Income includes salary, agriculture income, business income, profession income, etc.
Asset Criteria:
The family must NOT own any of the following:
- Residential plot ≥ 100 sq. yards (notified municipal areas)
- Residential plot ≥ 200 sq. yards (non-notified areas)
- Flat ≥ 1000 sq. ft
- Agricultural land ≥ 5 acres
Category Condition:
- Candidate must belong to the GENERAL category only.
- EWS does NOT apply to SC, ST, OBC categories.
IBPS EWS Certificate Format (Official Requirement)
IBPS clearly states that the EWS certificate must be issued in the Government of India prescribed format.
The format is included in Annexure of the IBPS notification (Pages 52–70), and candidates MUST use the same template. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
Important Points About IBPS EWS Certificate Format:
- Must be issued by a Revenue Officer (Tehsildar/Sub-Divisional Magistrate)
- Must include the Income & Asset verification
- Must contain seal, stamp, and signature of issuing authority
- Must include candidate’s name, address, and family details
- Certificate format MUST match the IBPS Annexure
Validity of EWS Certificate for IBPS
According to Page 10 of IBPS Notification: :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
- The certificate must be issued for the current financial year.
- IBPS ONLY accepts certificates valid for the year of recruitment.
- Old EWS certificates are not valid.
Typically, IBPS accepts:
- Certificate issued between April 1 and March 31 of the recruitment year
Example for IBPS Clerk 2025:
Valid Certificate Period: 1 April 2024 – 31 March 2025
Documents Required to Get EWS Certificate for IBPS
To obtain an EWS certificate, candidates must submit:
- Aadhar card
- Ration card (if applicable)
- Family income certificate
- Electricity bill/Residence proof
- Property documents
- Affidavit (if required)
The process varies by state, but IBPS requires only the official certificate at DV.
When Should You Make the EWS Certificate?
IBPS strictly checks EWS certificates at the time of document verification. If the certificate is missing or invalid:
- The candidate is treated as UR (unreserved category)
- EWS benefits are cancelled
- Candidate cannot claim EWS cut-off or reservation
Therefore, candidates must prepare the certificate before Mains result or before DV.
IBPS EWS Certificate Rules (Page 10 Highlights)
Important Rules:
- Must be issued by a competent authority
- Must be valid for the financial year
- Income limit must be verified
- Asset conditions must be satisfied
- Must be in IBPS prescribed format
- Photocopies without signature or seal are invalid
These rules are explicitly stated in the official IBPS PDF.
IBPS Clerk Cut Off EWS 2025 – How EWS Affects Cut-Off?
EWS candidates receive 10% reservation, but the cut-off varies annually due to state-wise competition and vacancy distribution.
Important Points About EWS Cut-Off:
- EWS cut-off is sometimes lower than UR cut-off
- In some states, EWS cut-off is close to UR cut-off
- EWS reservation increases chances of provisional allotment
- If EWS certificate is invalid → candidate is treated as UR
IBPS Clerk cut-off for EWS candidates will be published state-wise after the Mains exam.
IBPS EWS vs OBC vs UR – What’s the Difference?
| Category | Reservation | Certificate Required |
|---|---|---|
| EWS | 10% | EWS Income & Asset Certificate |
| OBC | 27% | OBC-NCL Certificate |
| UR | 0% | None |
EWS is NOT a caste-based category — it is purely economic.
Important Notes About EWS for IBPS Exams
- EWS certificate MUST match IBPS format
- Expired certificates are not accepted
- EWS certificate is verified at DV — NOT during form fill
- LLPT (Language test) and Mains rules remain same for EWS candidates
- No age relaxation for EWS category
These rules match official IBPS guidelines on Page 10. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
Common Mistakes Candidates Make with IBPS EWS Certificate
- Submitting an old EWS certificate
- Using wrong format (non-IBPS format)
- Submitting certificate without issuing authority’s seal
- Submitting incomplete income details
- Not updating certificate before DV
FAQ – EWS Certificate for IBPS
Q1: What is the EWS certificate for IBPS?
A reservation certificate for Economically Weaker Section candidates.
Q2: Which format is accepted by IBPS?
Only the format given in Annexure of IBPS Notification (Pages 52–70). :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
Q3: Is EWS applicable for IBPS Clerk?
Yes, 10% reservation applies.
Q4: Is there age relaxation for EWS?
No.
Q5: What if EWS certificate is invalid?
Candidate is treated as General category.
Conclusion
The EWS Certificate for IBPS is crucial for candidates who want to claim 10% reservation in IBPS Clerk, PO, RRB and other exams. The certificate must follow the official IBPS format, remain valid for the financial year, and meet the Government of India’s income and asset guidelines. A correct EWS certificate greatly improves the chances of clearing IBPS cut-off and receiving provisional allotment.
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