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Certificates

Income Certificate — Apply and Renew

An income certificate states a family’s annual income and is issued by the State revenue authority. It is required for scholarships, fee concessions, reserved-category benefits and many welfare schemes.

Issued by State revenue department — tehsildar or equivalent revenue officer.

Last updated

Official source last verified 9 August 2026

At a glance

Issued by
Tehsildar, SDM or equivalent revenue officer of your State
Apply through
Your State e-district or revenue services portal
Typical validity
Usually one financial year — confirm with your State
Common uses
Scholarships, fee concessions, EWS certificates, welfare schemes
Cost
A nominal State-notified fee
National Government Services Portal — find your State’s certificate serviceThe official portal for this document.https://services.india.gov.in/(opens the official website in a new tab)

What it is used for

  • Scholarships and educational fee concessions, where eligibility depends on family income.
  • Economically Weaker Section certificates for reservation in education and government employment.
  • Admission under reserved quotas that have an income criterion.
  • Welfare schemes, subsidised housing and legal aid where an income ceiling applies.
  • Some State health schemes and pension schemes.

How to apply

  1. Find your State’s e-district or revenue services portal. The National Government Services Portal at services.india.gov.in links to each State’s service.
  2. Register and start an application for an income certificate.
  3. Enter the applicant’s details and the total annual family income from all sources.
  4. Upload the supporting documents your State specifies, and pay the notified fee.
  5. Submit and note the application number. The application is verified by the local revenue official — commonly the patwari, village accountant or talathi — who may make enquiries locally.
  6. Once approved, the certificate is normally downloadable from the portal with a digital signature and a verification code.

Documents usually required

  • Aadhaar and other identity proof of the applicant
  • Proof of address
  • Ration card, where the State uses it to establish household composition
  • Salary certificate from an employer, or income tax returns, where the family has documented income
  • A self-declaration or affidavit of income in the format your State prescribes
  • Land records, where agricultural income is involved

Frequently asked questions

Who issues an income certificate?
The revenue authority of your State — usually the tehsildar, sub-divisional magistrate or an equivalent officer. It is a State document, so both the issuing authority and the process differ from State to State.
How long is an income certificate valid?
Most States treat it as valid for one financial year, but this is set by each State and some institutions insist on a certificate issued within the last few months. Check both your State’s rule and the requirement of whoever is asking for it.
What income has to be declared?
The total annual income of the family from all sources — salary, business, agriculture, rent, pension and interest. Understating it to qualify for a benefit is a false declaration and can lead to the certificate being cancelled and the benefit recovered.
Can I apply online?
In most States, yes, through the State e-district or revenue services portal, with the certificate issued as a digitally signed download. A few States still require part of the process to be done at the tehsil office. Check your State portal.

Official sources

Every figure on this page is traceable to the official source below. If a source has changed since the date shown, please tell us and we will correct it.