Tehsildar
State Revenue Department (District Collectorate)
Steps 2–4 and 6
Competent authority for issuing income certificate in most states; reviews field enquiry report and signs the certificate
Identity & Civil Registration#024
Understanding Income Certificate
Get an income certificate for scholarships, EWS quota, ration card, or welfare scheme eligibility.
At a glance
Jurisdiction
State-specific (issued by state Revenue Department; Tehsildar / SDM office)
Who applies
Individuals applying for government welfare schemes, scholarships, fee concessions, income-based reservations, or legal aid where proof of family income is required
Typical time
7–21 working days (most states target 7–15 working days through e-District portals; may vary based on field verification workload)
Fee
Free in most states. Some states charge ₹10–₹50. Stamp paper for affidavit (if required): ₹10–₹50.
Who should use this process
- ✓Any Indian citizen who is a resident of the state can apply for an income certificate from the Tehsildar / SDM of the district where they reside
- ✓The certificate reflects the annual family income from all sources: salary, agriculture, business, rent, pension, and other earnings combined
- ✓There is no upper income limit for obtaining the certificate; the certificate simply certifies the actual income as verified by the Revenue authority
Who does NOT need to apply
- ✕Income certificate issued by one state is generally not accepted in another state for state government schemes; a fresh application must be made in the state where the benefit is claimed
- ✕Income Tax Returns (ITR) are not a substitute for an income certificate in most government schemes; the Tehsildar's certificate carries independent legal authority
Documents required
| # | Document | Type needed | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Identity proof — Aadhaar card / Voter ID / PAN card | Self-attested Copy | Establishes identity and residence of the applicant |
| 2 | Residence proof — Aadhaar card / Voter ID / Ration card / Utility bill | Self-attested Copy | Establishes that applicant is ordinarily resident in the jurisdiction where the certificate is being sought |
| 3 | Salary certificate or Form 16 / payslips (last 3 months) for salaried individuals(optional)Required for salaried applicants; self-employed persons provide a self-declaration or Chartered Accountant certificate | Self-attested Copy | Primary evidence of employment income of all earning family members |
| 4 | Income Tax Return (ITR) or Form 26AS (for last 1–3 years)(optional)Required for applicants who file income tax; for non-filers, a self-declaration is accepted | Self-attested Copy | Corroborates declared income from all sources |
| 5 | Ration card / BPL card (if applicable)(optional) | Self-attested Copy | Supplementary evidence of economic status for low-income applicants |
| 6 | Self-declaration / affidavit on stamp paper declaring total family income from all sources | Original | Sworn statement of income covering all family members; verified by the Revenue Inspector during field enquiry |
| 7 | Prescribed application form (downloaded from state e-District portal or collected from Tehsildar office) | Download / Print | State-specific application form capturing applicant details and income sources |
Original documents: Carry originals only for in-person visits — do not hand them over permanently unless explicitly required.
Step-by-step guide
- 1
Access state e-District portal or visit Tehsildar / SDM office
BothLog in to your state's e-District portal and navigate to 'Income Certificate'. Alternatively, collect the prescribed application form from the local Tehsildar / Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) office. Some states also allow applications through Common Service Centres (CSCs / Jan Seva Kendras).
Tehsildar Office Clerk / CSC Operatorhttps://services.india.gov.in - 2
Fill application form and attach supporting documents
BothComplete the application form with full family details: names, relationships, occupations, and individual incomes of each earning member. Attach self-attested copies of identity proof, address proof, and income evidence. For online submission, upload scanned documents. Pay any applicable fee.
Tehsildar Office staff - 3
Field verification by Revenue Inspector / Patwari
OfflineThe Tehsildar forwards the application to the local Revenue Inspector or Patwari who visits the applicant's residence to verify address and makes enquiries about the family's actual income from local sources (agriculture, business, employment). The Revenue Inspector consults village revenue records and submits a report.
3–10 working daysRevenue Inspector / Patwari - 4
Tehsildar / SDM reviews and approves application
OfflineBased on the verification report and submitted documents, the Tehsildar (or SDM in some states) reviews the declared income, cross-checks with available records, and approves or rejects the application. If the declared income appears understated, a query may be raised for additional documents.
2–5 working days after field reportTehsildar / Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) - 5
Track application status
OnlineUse the application reference number on the state e-District portal to track progress. SMS updates are sent at key stages. If the application exceeds the prescribed timeline without action, file a grievance via the portal or visit the Tehsildar office.
https://services.india.gov.in - 6
Collect or download Income Certificate
BothAfter approval, download the digitally signed certificate from the e-District portal or collect the physical certificate from the Tehsildar / SDM office. The certificate states the applicant's name, address, annual family income from all sources, and is valid for the purpose specified (usually 1 financial year).
Same day after approval
Government officers involved
Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM)
State Revenue Department / District Magistrate Office
Steps 2–4 and 6
Issues income certificate in states where SDM is the designated authority; handles appeals
Revenue Inspector / Patwari
State Revenue Department
Step 3
Conducts field enquiry; verifies residence, family composition, and sources of income; submits enquiry report to Tehsildar
Government portals
National Government Services Portal
https://services.india.gov.inCentral hub linking to all state e-District portals for income certificate applications
e-District Delhi
https://edistrict.delhigovt.nic.inIncome certificate application, status tracking, and download for Delhi residents
CSC Digital Seva Portal
https://digitalseva.csc.gov.inApply for income certificate at nearest Common Service Centre (CSC / Jan Seva Kendra) with VLE assistance
Things to watch out for
Income certificate validity is typically limited to one financial year
Most government schemes (scholarships, fee concessions, PMAY, etc.) require a fresh income certificate for each application year. Plan to renew the certificate every year. Some schemes specify the certificate must not be older than 6 months at the time of application.
Declare all income sources — suppression can lead to cancellation of benefits
Income must include salary of all working family members, agricultural income, rental income, pension, business profits, and any other source. If verification reveals undisclosed income sources, the certificate can be cancelled, and any benefits received may be recovered. Suppression may also constitute fraud.
Income certificate is not a substitute for ITR or Form 16 in all contexts
For bank loans, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) income eligibility, and some court matters, a bank statement or ITR may be required in addition to the income certificate. Confirm with the receiving institution what documentation they require.
Different income thresholds apply for different schemes
There is no single universal income threshold. Different schemes have different limits: EWS housing (₹3 lakh/year for EWS, ₹6 lakh for LIG under PMAY), scholarship schemes (varies), fee concessions (state-specific). Ensure you know the income threshold required by the specific scheme before applying.
CSC operators sometimes charge informal fees
If applying through a Common Service Centre (CSC), the official government fee is minimal or nil, but CSC operators may charge a service fee (typically ₹30–₹100). This is a legitimate service charge for operator assistance; however, any amount significantly above this range should be questioned.