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Income Certificate

A certificate from the state revenue department stating your family's yearly income. It is needed for scholarships, fee waivers, EWS or OBC benefits and welfare schemes.

Official fees

ServiceFee
DelhiFree
Other statesFree to ₹60, see state table

Checked 27 Sep 2026

Documents to keep ready

  • Aadhaar or other photo ID
  • Proof of address
  • Salary slips, Form 16 or ITR of earning members
  • Self declaration of family income
  • Land records if you have farm income
  • Ration card showing family members
  • Passport size photo

How to apply

  1. Log in to your state portal or visit a service centre
  2. Choose income certificate
  3. Enter income of all earning family members
  4. Upload ID, address and income proofs
  5. Pay the fee if any and submit
  6. Download the certificate after verification

By state

Fees and portals differ by state. These are the official portals for the states we cover.

StateFeeTimeWhere to apply
DelhiFree14 daysedistrict.delhigovt.nic.inIssued by SDM office
MaharashtraSmall fee shown on portal15 daysAaple SarkarIssued by Naib Tahsildar
West BengalFreeNot publishededistrict.wb.gov.inIssued by BDO or SDO
Tamil Nadu₹60Not publishedTN e-SevaiIssued by Tahsildar
Karnataka₹25Not publishedNadakacheriFree for social security pension cases
TelanganaAbout ₹35 to ₹45Not publishedMeeSevaIssued by Tahsildar or MRO
GujaratFree online; small charge at Jan Seva KendraNot publisheddigitalgujarat.gov.inIssued by Mamlatdar
Good to know
  • Apply early in the financial year if you need it for scholarships
  • Income of all earning members is counted, not just yours
  • For OBC non creamy layer or EWS, use the separate certificate in the required format

Common questions

How long is an income certificate valid?
Most states treat it as valid for 1 year or the financial year it is issued for. Schemes often ask for a fresh one each year.
Is the income certificate the same as the EWS certificate?
No. EWS is a separate income and asset certificate in a set format for the 10% reservation.
Whose income is counted?
The income of the family, usually parents and the applicant, from all sources. Rules vary slightly by state.