Arunachal Pradesh EWS Certificate: APST Rules & Application Guide

In Arunachal Pradesh, eligible residents belonging to the unreserved category can obtain an Income and Asset Certificate to claim benefits available under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) reservation system. The certificate confirms that the applicant's family falls within the income and asset limits prescribed for EWS reservation and serves as an important document for admissions, recruitment examinations, and government vacancies where EWS status must be established.

The certificate is commonly used during APPSC and APSSB recruitments, admissions to central educational institutions, counselling processes, scholarship applications, and other opportunities where reservation benefits are available to economically weaker candidates from the general category. Applicants can complete the process through the state's revenue administration system using online and offline service channels available in Arunachal Pradesh.

With this certificate, eligible general category residents of Arunachal Pradesh can claim 10% reservation in central government jobs, APPSC (Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission) exams, APSSB (Arunachal Pradesh Staff Selection Board) recruitments, IITs, NITs, central universities, and NEET All India Quota seats.

Applications are submitted through the Arunachal eServices portal at eservice.arunachal.gov.in (for the Income Certificate component which is available online), through CSC (Common Service Centres) across all 26 districts, or through the JanSuvidha counter at the Deputy Commissioner's office in your district.

Important: EWS Certificate Process in Arunachal Pradesh

The official Arunachal eServices portal at eservice.arunachal.gov.in currently lists the following services: ST Certificate, PRC, TRC, Income Certificate, Dependent Certificate, and Character Certificate. A dedicated EWS Income and Asset Certificate is not separately listed on the portal. In Arunachal Pradesh, the EWS certificate is obtained through the following process:

• First, obtain an Income Certificate through the Arunachal eServices portal or at the JanSuvidha counter confirming family income below Rs. 8 lakh, and then
• Submit the full EWS application in the DoPT-prescribed Annexure-I format at the Deputy Commissioner's office with all required documents for the DC to issue the complete EWS Income and Asset Certificate

If the eService portal adds a dedicated EWS service after this article was written, apply directly. Always check the current service list at eservice.arunachal.gov.in after logging in.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for an EWS certificate in Arunachal Pradesh, all of the following conditions must be satisfied:

• You must be a permanent resident of Arunachal Pradesh and belong to the general (unreserved) category. You must not belong to APST (Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribe) or any other SC, ST, or OBC category
• Your family's gross annual income from all sources must be below Rs. 8 lakh for the financial year preceding the year of application
• Your family must not own 5 acres of agricultural land or more
• Your family must not own a residential flat of 1,000 sq ft or more
• Your family must not own a residential plot of 100 sq yards or more in a notified municipality
• Your family must not own a residential plot of 200 sq yards or more outside notified municipalities

All four asset conditions must be satisfied alongside the income condition. Income is always on a gross basis. "Family" includes the applicant, parents, spouse, children below 18 years, and unmarried siblings below 18 years.

APST: Arunachal Pradesh's Unique Tribal Classification

Arunachal Pradesh has a significant Scheduled Tribe population. The state uses the classification APST (Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribe) for its indigenous tribal communities. APST candidates have their own reservation system at both the state and central level. If you hold an APST certificate, you are classified as ST and are not eligible for EWS benefits.

The EWS certificate in Arunachal Pradesh is primarily for non-APST permanent residents of general category who are not covered under any SC, ST, or OBC reservation. This includes non-tribal permanent residents who have lived in Arunachal Pradesh and hold a valid PRC (Permanent Residence Certificate).

Documents Required

Keep the following documents ready. For online applications, files must be in PDF or JPEG format. For JanSuvidha counter applications, carry self-attested photocopies and originals:

• Aadhaar Card of the applicant
• Voter ID Card as identity and address proof (self-attested)
• PRC (Permanent Residence Certificate) of Arunachal Pradesh: This is a mandatory document for most government services. The PRC establishes that you are a permanent resident of Arunachal Pradesh. Apply for it first at the DC office if you do not have one
• Income proof:
  • For government employees: Salary statement for the last 12 months from the Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO)
  • For non-APST non-government employees: Income Tax Return or Form 16 for the previous financial year
  • For agricultural and self-employed persons: Self-declaration of income
• Ration Card or LPC (Land Possession Certificate) or Land Allotment Passbook showing family members and Arunachal Pradesh address
• LPG card or Driver's Licence as alternate address proof
• Land records: LPC or Land Allotment Passbook showing agricultural land held by family members. If no land is owned, submit a self-declaration
• Property documents: Tax receipt or sale deed showing residential property owned. If no property is owned, include this in the self-declaration
• Self-declaration affidavit stating total family income from all sources is below Rs. 8 lakh and all asset limits are within prescribed thresholds
• Passport-size photograph of the applicant

Method 1: Apply Online Through Arunachal eServices Portal (Income Certificate)

1. Go to eservice.arunachal.gov.in
2. Click Login on the homepage. If you are a new user, click the registration link. Enter your name, email ID, mobile number, address, and create a password. An activation link is sent to your registered email ID. Click the activation link to complete registration
3. Log in using your registered credentials
4. On the dashboard, browse the District Administration services list
5. Click on Issuance of Income Certificate
6. The application form opens. Fill in your name, father's name, address, district, and mobile number. In the District field, select your district carefully, as the application is routed to that specific DC office. Selecting the wrong district causes delays or rejection
7. Fill in income details from all sources for all family members. Select the purpose of the certificate
8. Upload all required documents: address proof (Voter ID or Aadhaar), income proof (DDO salary statement or ITR or Form 16 or self-declaration), and photograph
9. Pay the fee of Rs. 25 through the portal's payment gateway
10. Submit the application. An Application Reference Number is generated. Save this for tracking
11. Once the Income Certificate is issued, download it from the portal using the Application Reference Number and Token Number shown on the certificate
12. Take the downloaded Income Certificate to the DC office to apply for the full EWS Income and Asset Certificate in the DoPT-prescribed format

Method 2: Apply at the JanSuvidha Counter (DC Office)

Every Deputy Commissioner's office in Arunachal Pradesh has a JanSuvidha counter that processes certificate applications. This is the primary offline route for certificate services in Arunachal Pradesh.

1. Visit the JanSuvidha counter at the Deputy Commissioner's office in your district headquarters. Every district in Arunachal Pradesh has a DC office
2. Collect the EWS Income and Asset Certificate application form from the counter. The form follows the DoPT-prescribed Annexure-I format. Forms are also available for download from the Arunachal eServices portal
3. Fill in all details: applicant's name, father's name, address, district, family income from all sources separately, and all land or property details of family members
4. Attach self-attested photocopies of all required documents: Aadhaar or Voter ID, PRC, income proof (DDO salary statement or ITR or Form 16 or self-declaration), LPC or Ration Card, land records (if applicable), and passport-size photograph
5. Submit the completed form with documents at the JanSuvidha counter. Provide your mobile number for SMS updates
6. Pay the fee of Rs. 25 at the counter. Collect the acknowledgement receipt with your Application Reference Number
7. The JanSuvidha counter staff processes the application in the eServices system and forwards it to the DC for approval
8. The DC reviews all submitted documents and approves the EWS certificate
9. Once approved, the digitally signed certificate is available for download from the Arunachal eServices portal using the Application Reference Number and Token Number, or collect it from the JanSuvidha counter

Method 3: Apply Through CSC (Common Service Centre)

1. Locate your nearest CSC centre. CSCs are available across all 26 districts of Arunachal Pradesh
2. Carry your Aadhaar card, PRC, income proof, LPC or Ration Card (if land is owned), and passport-size photograph
3. Tell the CSC operator you need the EWS Income and Asset Certificate
4. The operator submits the application through the Arunachal eServices portal on your behalf. Documents are scanned and uploaded
5. Pay the government fee of Rs. 25 plus the CSC operator's service charge. Collect the Application Reference Number from the operator
6. Once approved, download the certificate from the eServices portal using the Application Reference Number and Token Number or collect from the CSC

Verifying and Downloading the Certificate

The Arunachal eServices portal uses a two-step verification for certificate download:

1. Go to eservice.arunachal.gov.in
2. Click on Verify Certificate
3. Enter the Application Reference Number and the Token Number found at the bottom of the certificate
4. Click Download Certificate. The certificate downloads only if both numbers are entered correctly

Application Fee

The fee for revenue certificates through the Arunachal eServices portal and at the JanSuvidha counter is Rs. 25. This applies to the Income Certificate. For the full EWS certificate at the DC office, confirm any applicable fee at the JanSuvidha counter as it may be the same Rs. 25 or vary by service type. CSC operators charge an additional service fee over the government fee.

Processing Time

Revenue certificates through the Arunachal eServices portal and JanSuvidha counter are processed within 7 working days from the date of successful application submission, excluding government holidays. Delays may occur if the wrong district is selected in the application or if documents are incomplete. If the certificate is not issued within 7 working days, follow up at the JanSuvidha counter with your Application Reference Number.

Validity of the EWS Certificate in Arunachal Pradesh

The EWS certificate is valid for one financial year (April 1 to March 31). It must be renewed every year by applying fresh. For APPSC and APSSB exams, check the specific notification for validity requirements. For NEET All India Quota counselling in June or July, apply for a fresh certificate after April 1 of that year.