Economically Weaker Section (EWS) in India is a subcategory of people having an annual family income less than ₹8 lakh (US$9,200) and who do not belong to any category such as SC/ST/OBC (Central list) across India, nor to MBC in Tamil Nadu.
Your brother is one of the family members of your family and his annual income is more than 8 lakhs.
Families earning more than this are not considered economically weak.
To be classified under EWS, your family should not own or possess a residential flat of area 1000 sq. feet or more.
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 well as his/her spouse and children below the age of 18 years.
The property held by a “Family” in different locations or different places/cities would be clubbed while applying for the land. or property holding test to determine EWS status.
Persons who are not covered under the scheme of reservation for SCs, STs, and OBCs and whose family has a gross annual income below Rs 8 lakh (Rupees eight lakh only) are to be identified as EWSs for the 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.
The states in India can set their own income cut-off to decide who constitutes EWS and even exceed the income criteria set by the Centre.
