
We are permanent residents of Tamil Nadu, and my husband is self-employed.
My son has qualified for JEE Advanced 2026. We had applied under the GEN-EWS category for JEE Main 2026 and subsequently for JEE Advanced 2026.
The Income Certificate for the financial year 2024-2025, issued by the Government of Tamil Nadu on 30 October 2025, is valid for a period of one year from the date of issuance, i.e., until 29 October 2026.
Based on this Income Certificate and the declared assets, the EWS Certificate for the financial year 2025-2026 was issued on 14 November 2025. The certificate number was uploaded during the JEE Main 2026 application process. The EWS Certificate is valid from 01-04-2025 to 31-03-2026.
At present, we are unable to obtain a fresh EWS Certificate issued on or after 01-04-2026, as required for JoSAA counselling for NITs and IITs. We are also unable to obtain a new Income Certificate for the financial year 2025-2026. The concerned authorities have informed us that a fresh Income Certificate cannot be issued until the validity of the existing certificate expires on 29-10-2026.
We understand that this issue may be affecting candidates.
As per the JoSAA guidelines, all candidates are required to submit an EWS Certificate issued on or after 1 April 2026, based on the income assessment for the financial year 2025–2026 (01-04-2025 to 31-03-2026)
Further, if we are unable to upload an EWS Certificate valid for 2026-2027, the candidate may become ineligible to participate in the first round of counselling, though no fault of his own, despite having met all other eligibility requirements. The candidate may be placed under the open quota in the second round and could miss admission to top institutions, even after securing a high rank.
I kindly seek your guidance and request an appropriate resolution regarding the procedure for obtaining the income and current EWS Certificate based on the income assessment for the financial year 2025-2026. ITR is not filed.
If any candidate from Tamilnadu has faced such a issue, plz share your feedback.
Thanks & regards,
Ans: You have not mentioned your son's JEE-Main score under the GEN-EWS category. Anyway, answering your question, it is suggested to approach the Tehsildar or SDM office in your area to request the issuance of a new EWS certificate for the financial year 2024–2025, explaining the urgency due to the upcoming JoSAA counselling. Ensure you have all required documents, such as proof of income, family composition, and any other documents specified by the issuing authority. Given the time-sensitive nature, maintain regular communication with the authorities to expedite the process. If obtaining the certificate before the counselling deadline is not feasible, consider reaching out to JoSAA officials to explain your situation and seek guidance on possible accommodations, as they may provide assistance in exceptional cases despite stringent policies. All the Best for Your Son's Prosperous Future!
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