What is the difference between EWS and OBC-NCL's economic criteria?

OBC NCL reservation is for candidates belonging to OBC category whose annual income from all sources is less than INR 8 lakhs per annum. However, EWS reservation is for those candidates who do not belong to SC/ST/OBC but their annual income from all sources is less than 8 lakhs per annum. So both are different and you cannot be eligible for both at the same time. 

EWS category has stricter eligibility criteria than OBC-NCL category. Candidates should satisfy both income and asset criteria to get Economically Weaker Section certificate.

Income Criteria

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  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.

Asset Criteria

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:-

• 5 acres of agricultural land and above;

• Residential at of 1000 sq ft. and above;

• Residential plot of 100 sq. yards and above in notified municipalities;

• Residential plot of 200 sq. yards and above in areas other than the notified municipalities.

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.

The term "Family" for this purpose will include the person who seeks the 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.