Jammu Division Accounts for 92% of EWS Certificates in J&K

Over 24,500 issued in Jammu against 2,013 in Kashmir; Govt says eligibility norms strictly followed

Mudasir Yaqoob

Srinagar, Feb 4: The Jammu division has received an overwhelming majority of Economically Weaker Section (EWS) certificates issued in Jammu and Kashmir over the past two years, official data reveals.

The EWS certificate carries significant implications in public recruitment and admissions. Candidates holding this certificate compete within a reserved quota in examinations conducted by bodies such as the Services Selection Board (SSB) and the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC). As a result, selections are made within a separate pool, often with cut-offs lower than those of the open merit category. In addition, the upper age limit for EWS candidates is 42 years, compared to 40 years for open merit aspirants — effectively giving certificate holders an additional two-year window to remain eligible for government employment, while open merit candidates become ineligible upon attaining 40 years of age.

Out of a total of 26,558 EWS certificates granted across the Union Territory, as many as 24,545 were issued in the Jammu division, accounting for nearly 92 percent of the total. In contrast, the Kashmir division has seen only 2,013 certificates issued during the same period.

District-level data shows Kathua leading the tally with 6,972 certificates, followed by Jammu district with 5,881 and Samba with 4,436.

In the Kashmir division, Anantnag tops the list with 483 certificates, followed by Kulgam (390) and Baramulla (332).

The government has maintained that all applications are processed strictly in accordance with established rules and guidelines. It clarified that EWS certificates are rejected only when applicants do not meet the eligibility criteria laid down under SRO 518 of 2019.

Officials further stated that cases involving shared residential property with married siblings or other legal stakeholders are examined individually, and rejection occurs only where prescribed norms are not satisfied.