The 10% quota for Economically Weaker Sections(EWS) will be effective for all direct recruitment vacancies in central government posts and services notified after February 1, 2019. This has been notified by the Department of Personnel and Training, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions as per Office Memorandum(OM) issued on January 19. Detailed instructions regarding operation of roster and implementation of EWS quota will be issued later. Income criteria The Ministry of Social Justice has specified the income criteria for classification of EWS quota, as per office Memorandum issued on January 17. Persons whose family has gross annual income less than Rs. 8 lakhs will be considered for EWS quota (Family will include parents, spouse, children and siblings below the age of 18 years). Income will cover income from all sources, whether salary, profession, business, agriculture etc. Also, persons having the following possessions will be excluded from EWS quota : 5 acres of agricultural land or above. Residential flat of 1000 square feet or above Residential plot of 100 square yards or above in notified municipalities Residential plot of 200 square yards or above in areas other than notified municipalities The EWS quota in public employment is as per the newly inserted Article 16(6) in the Constitution of India by the Constitution(103rd) Amendment Act. The amendment also inserted Article 15(6) to provide for EWS reservation in higher education, including private aided and unaided institutions, except those run by minorities. It further states that the upper limit of reservation will be ten percent, which will be in addition to the existing reservations. "Economically weaker sections" for the purposes of Articles 15 and 16 mean such sections as notified by the State from time to time on the basis of family income and other indicators of economic disadvantage. This will be a class distinct from the already specified classes of SCs, STs and socially and educationally backward classes. The amendment bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on January 8, on the day of its introduction in the house and cleared by the Rajya Sabha the next day. The amendment received Presidential assent on January 12 and was notified by the Centre on January 14.
