An Income Certificate is a document issued by an authority under the State Government certifying the annual income of a person or his family from all sources. The actual authority that issues such a certificate varies from state to state. It is usually the Village Tehsildars that issue the certificate but many states and union territories also have District Magistrate, Deputy Commissioner, Collector, Revenue Circle Officers, Sub Divisional Magistrates or other District Authorities appointed for this purpose.

As mentioned earlier, the income certificate acts as a proof of eligibility to various schemes and benefits granted by the State Government in various fields. These fields include but are not limited to:

Uses of Income Certificate

• Educational institutions that usually have a quota reserved for people from economically poorer backgrounds. This certificate helps them secure admission either free of cost or at a concession.
• Scholarships offered by some institutions/governments targeting the upliftment of the poor.
• Availment of medical benefits like free or concessional treatment, subsidised medicines, financial assistance to mothers who give birth to girl child, etc.
• Getting different kinds of pension such as widows, old age pension, agricultural labourers pension, etc.
• Applying for government jobs available to specific reserved categories.
• Claiming entitlement to hostels, flats or other such government accommodation