ECONOMICALLY WEAKER SECTIONS (EWS)

About:

• Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) is a term used to refer to those citizens or households with income below a certain threshold level.
  
  
• This categorisation as EWS is distinct from other categories like “disadvantaged sections” which refer to those belonging to the Scheduled Caste/ the Scheduled Tribe /other socially backward communities.
  
  
• Benefits: The criterion of EWS is generally evoked while granting benefits under health, education or housing.
  
  
• Criteria: Though there may be other economic factors in deciding on the economic weakness of the citizen/household, income is the dominant criterion.
  
  
• There is no coherent single / unique definition for EWS in India.
  • It is defined differently for different schemes run by the Government.
    
    
  • Further, state and central (Union/Federal) governments may set different criteria for deciding on the EWS status.
    
    
  
  
  

EWS under RTE:

• Under Section 2 (e) of Right to Education Act, 2009 a "child belonging to weaker section" means a child belonging to such parent or guardian whose annual income is lower than the minimum limit specified by the appropriate Government, by notification.
  
  
• For instance, Delhi Government has specified the EWS child as a child resident in Delhi for the last three years with annual parental income of less than Rs. 1 lakh.