EBC Certificate | Eligibility Criteria, Application Format, Template and Sample of EBC Certificate

EBC Certificate: EBC is the abbreviation for Economically Backward Classes. This is a subcategory of individuals in India who have an annual family income of less than INR 8,00,000 per annum. However, it is important to note that this category of individuals does not fall under any castes which are recognized as SC, ST or OBC. Moreover, Economically backward classes (EBC) and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) are quite different from each other. This is because the Government of India has clearly defined the definition of EWS while the definition of EBC and MEBC (Most Economically Backward Class) varies from state to state. Hence, the eligibility criteria may vary across states for an EBC Certificate.

Students can find more about certificates, explore the types used for academic purposes, professional purposes and more.

What is an EBC Certificate?

As stated above, if your annual family income falls below INR 8,00,000 per annum, and you do not belong to any of the castes which are identified as either SC, ST or OBC, you are eligible to apply for an EBC Certificate. However, do check with your concerned state’s citizen welfare department to check if there are additional prerequisites or changes in the eligibility criteria. For instance, some states do not provide an EBC certificate if the applicant holds some amount of property even though their family income limit is below the accepted threshold.

Why do you Need an EBC Certificate?

EBC Certificates provide the holder many financial benefits. However, the exact terms and conditions of the certificate vary from state to state. For instance, some states offer EBC certificate holders many benefits such as complete or partial waiver of an educational institution’s tuition fees.

In this article, we shall explore more about the EBC Certificate, its eligibility criteria, training duration, the application process, benefits and more.

EBC Certificate Eligibility Criteria

In this article, we shall explore the general eligibility criteria for an EBC certificate. However, please do note that the following are only generalistic guidelines and each state may impose its own criteria.

• Annual income from all sources must be under INR 8,00,000
• If the applicant owns any land, it must be not more than 5 acres of agricultural land
• Moreover, the residential flat area must be under 1000 sq ft
• If the residential plot is in a notified municipality section, it must be below 100 square yards. If the residential plot is in a non-notified municipality sector, then it should be below 200 square yards.

EBC Certificate Application Format

The following format is generally used when drafting an EBC Certificate

• The letter must be formal and use a professional tone
• The letter must be addressed to the Tahsildar or any other individual with the competent authority.
• Furthermore, the application must contain relevant details pertaining to the applicant, such as their date of birth, locality, village, district code, ration card number and more.
• Also ensure that the application form has supporting documentation (such as copies of PAN card, educational certificates and more.) Without this supporting documentation, the application may be deemed incomplete and get rejected
• Please note, though the application format is common, minute changes or additions may be required for certain states in order to ensure conformity.
• Lastly, proofread the application before sending it in. This ensures that the details provided are accurate and reduces the chances of being rejected.

EBC Certificate Template

The following template can be used when drafting an EBC Certificate. Feel free to add chances to suit your needs.

EBC Certificate Application Form