Reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWSs) in direct recruitment in civil posts and services in the Government of India

Reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWSs) in direct recruitment in civil posts and services in the Government of India

Subject: Reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWSs) in direct recruitment in civil posts and services in the Government of India. 

In continuation of this Department’s Office Memorandum of even number dated 19.01.2019, the following instructions are issued in consultation with Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and Department of Legal Affairs regarding reservation for EWSs not covered under the reservation scheme for SCs/STs/OBCs in respect of direct recruitment in civil posts and services in the Government of India.

2. QUANTUM OF RESERVATION

The persons belonging to EWSs who. are not covered under the scheme of reservation for SCs, STs and OBCs shall get 10% reservation in direct recruitment in civil posts and services in the Government of India.

3. EXEMPTION FROM RESERVATION: 

3.1 “Scientific and Technical” posts which satisfy all the following conditions can be exempted from the purview of the reservation orders by the Ministries/Departments:

(i) The posts should be in grades above the lowest srade in Group A of the service concerned.

(ii) They should be classified as “scientific or technical” in terms of Cabinet Secretariat [OM No. 85/11/CF-61(1) dated 28.12.1961], according to which scientific and technical posts for which qualifications in the natural sciences or exact sciences or applied sciences or in technology are prescribed and the incumbents of which have to use that knowledge in the discharge of their duties.

(iii) The posts should be ‘for conducting research’ or ‘for organizing, guiding and directing research.

3.2 Orders of the Minister concerned should be obtained before exempting any posts satisfying the above condition from the purview of the scheme of reservation.

4. CRITERIA OF INCOME & ASSETS:

4.1 Persons who are not covered under the scheme of reservation for SCs, STs -and OBCs and whose family has gross annual income below Rs. 8.00 lakh (Rupees eight lakh only) are to be identified as EWSs for benefit of reservation. Income shall also include income from all sources i.e. salary, agriculture, business, profession, etc. for the financial year prior to the year of application. 

Also persons whose family owns or possesses any of the following assets shall be excluded from being identified as EWS, irrespective of the family income:-

i. 5 acres of agricultural land and above; 
ii, Residential flat of 1000 sq, ft. and above; 
iii. Residential plot of 100 sq. yards and above in notified municipalities;
iv. Residential plot of 200 sq: yards and above in areas other than the ‘notified municipalities.

4.2. The property held by a “Family” in different locations or different places/cities would be clubbed while applying the land or property holding test to determine EWS status.

4.3. The term “Family” for this purpose will include the person who seeks benefit of reservation, his/her parents-and siblings below the age of 18 years as also his/her spouse and children below the age of 18 years.

5. INCOME AND ASSET CERTIFICATE ISSUING AUTHORITY AND VERIFICATION OF CERTIFICATE [Click to view and download the form]

6. EFFECTING RESERVATION – MAINTENANCE OF ROSTERS: [Click to view Download Image/Word/Excel file of model roster]

7. ADJUSTMENT AGAINST UNRESERVED VACANCIES: 

A person belonging to EWS cannot be denied the right to compete for- appointment against an unreserved vacancy. Persons belonging to EWS who are selected on the basis of merit and not on account of reservation are not to be- counted towards the quota meant for reservation.

8. FORTNIGHTLY /ANNUAL REPORTS REGARDING REPRESENTATION OF EWS:

The Ministries/Departments shall send single consolidated fortnightly report including their attached/subordinate offices beginning from 15.2.2019 as per format at Annexure-VI.

From 01.01.2020, the Ministries/Departments shall upload data on representation of EWSs in respect of posts/services under the Central Government on the URL ie. www.rrcps.nic.in as on 1st January of every year. All Ministries/Departments have already been provided respective usercode and password with guidelines for operating the URL.

9. MAINTENANCE OF REGISTER OF COMPLAINTS BY THE GOVERNMENT ESTABLISHMENT:

9.1 – Every Government establishment shall appoint a senior officer of the Department as the Grievance Redressal Officer.

9.2 Any person aggrieved with any matter relating to discrimination in employment against any EWS may file a complaint with the Grievance Redressal Officer of the respective Government establishment. The name, designation and contact details of the Grievance Redressal Officer may be displayed prominently on the website and in the office of the concerned establishment.

10. LIAISON OFFICER:

a Ministries/Departments/Attached and Subordinate Offices shall appoint Liaison Officer to monitor the implementation of reservation for EWSs. 

11. The above scheme of reservation will be effective in respect of all direct recruitment vacancies to be notified on or after 01.02.2019.

12. All the Ministries/Departments are requested to bring the above instructions to the notice of all appointing authorities. under their control. In case of any difficulty with regard to implementation of the provisions of this OM, the concerned authorities may consult DOP&T through their administrative Ministry/Department. 

Encl: As above.

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