OBC EWS Certificate: EWS সার্টিফিকেট নিয়ে বড় খবর! এখন OBC-রাও পাবেন EWS সার্টিফিকেট, হাইকোর্টের রায়

OBC EWS Certificate: The Calcutta High Court has delivered a landmark judgment in the EWS certificate case. From now on, candidates from both OBC (Other Backward Classes) and General categories can apply for EWS (Economically Weaker Section) certificates. This ruling is expected to benefit thousands of OBC job aspirants and students in the state.

Background of the EWS Certificate Case:

Previously, the rule was that if an applicant’s surname was on the OBC list, they would not be issued an EWS certificate. A case was filed in the Calcutta High Court challenging this. The petitioners argued that they belonged to the general category, but the state was rejecting their EWS certificate applications because their surnames were on the state’s OBC list. They wanted to avail the benefits of EWS instead of OBC reservation. Based on this case, the Honorable Court has given its verdict.

The High Court’s Final Verdict:

The bench of Justice Amrita Sinha has given the final verdict in this case. The judgment states:

• Both OBC and General are Eligible: From now on, any candidate whose surname is on the OBC category list but has not obtained an OBC certificate/ benefits, and any candidate from the general category, can apply for an EWS certificate.
• Forfeiture of Reservation Benefit: However, to do so, the applicant must give up their caste-based reservation (OBC) benefits.
• Order to Upgrade Portal: The state government has been directed to immediately upgrade its online portal so that all eligible candidates can apply for the EWS certificate.
• Different Purpose, Different Eligibility: The court has also clarified that the purpose and eligibility criteria for caste certificates and EWS certificates are completely different.

Conditions for Obtaining an EWS Certificate:

According to the Calcutta High Court’s ruling and previous rules, the following conditions must be met to obtain an EWS certificate:

• The applicant must be a citizen of India.
• The applicant must belong to the General or OBC category (but cannot hold or have availed benefits of an OBC certificate).
• The applicant or their family must be a resident of the state.
• The family’s annual income must be less than ₹8 lakh.
• Must not own more than 5 acres of agricultural land.
• Must not own a flat of more than 1000 sq. ft.
• Must not own a residential plot of more than 100 sq. yards in a municipality and more than 200 sq. yards in other areas.

Benefits of the EWS Certificate:

Through the EWS certificate, candidates from economically weaker sections receive a 10% reservation benefit in government jobs and education. Until now, only candidates from the general category could avail this benefit. Now that candidates with OBC surnames are also included, their opportunities for government jobs and higher education will increase further.

This verdict is undoubtedly a historic step. It will now benefit many deserving OBC candidates in the state who were previously deprived of EWS benefits solely due to their caste.

Source: Calcutta High Court, Case No: WPA-14088/2025