In a noteworthy development, the Delhi High Court has issued a pivotal order impacting families aspiring for school admissions under the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) category. The court has revised the annual income limit for eligibility under the EWS quota to ₹2.5 lakh, aiming to facilitate education access for children from families within this income bracket.
Revision of the Income Limit:
The division bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Preetam Singh Arora, modified a previous single-judge bench’s order that had increased the annual income limit for the EWS category from ₹1 lakh to ₹5 lakh. The bench adjusted the figure to ₹2.5 lakh, citing concerns about the adverse effects on eligible candidates from families earning up to ₹1 lakh, who might face reduced chances of securing admission under the EWS quota with the higher income limit.
Implications of the Revised Order:
The Delhi government had challenged the initial decision to raise the income ceiling, arguing that the sudden increase could negatively impact the admission prospects for genuinely economically weaker candidates. The court’s interim order maintains the current policy based on self-declaration of income, avoiding immediate changes.
Future Directions:
The high court has issued notices to relevant parties, including schools and children, for responses, with further hearings scheduled for August. The court directed the Directorate of Education to develop a standard operating procedure for monitoring income verification and eligibility criteria, ensuring the continuation of free seats under the EWS quota in schools.
This interim order establishes a temporary income limit for EWS admissions, pending a final decision in August. It emphasizes the need for a robust framework to ensure that the EWS quota genuinely benefits the intended beneficiaries without exploitation of loopholes in the self-declaration system.
