In Simple Words: An Income Certificate is a government document that proves how much your entire family earns in a year — from salary, farming, business, rent, pension, and every other source combined. The Tehsildar of your taluka issues it after verifying your documents through the Aaple Sarkar portal. It is the single most frequently required document in Maharashtra — scholarships, EWS reservations, Non-Creamy Layer certificates, fee concessions, hostel benefits, housing schemes, and ration card upgrades all ask for it. It is valid for one year from the date of issue, so you need a fresh one every academic or financial year. A wrong year, a wrong name spelling, or an underreported income amount is the leading cause of scholarship rejections across Maharashtra.
An Income Certificate in Maharashtra is an official document issued by the Tehsildar that certifies your family’s annual income from all sources. It is one of the most frequently required documents in the state — from scholarships to college admissions to government schemes.
Who Can Apply
Any Maharashtra resident can apply. There is no caste or category restriction — this certificate is available to everyone. What differs is the income limit that makes you eligible for a particular scheme:
| Purpose | Income Limit |
|---|---|
| EWS Certificate / 10% reservation | Below ₹8 lakh per year |
| Rajashri Scholarship | Below ₹8 lakh per year |
| Post-Matric Scholarship (OBC) | Below ₹1 lakh (some schemes ₹2.5 lakh) |
| Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) Certificate | Below ₹8 lakh per year |
| Fee concession at government colleges | Varies by institution |
The certificate itself just states the income — you do not need to meet a specific limit to apply.
What Counts as Income
The Tehsildar includes all sources of income for the entire household:
- Salary or wages (government or private)
- Agricultural income (from farming or sale of crops)
- Business profit or trade income
- Rental income from property
- Pension (including family pension)
- Interest income from investments
- Any other regular earnings
Do not understate income on your application — discrepancies are a common reason for rejection or cancellation.
What It Is Used For
The certificate is issued once but is valid for multiple uses within the same financial year — you do not need to apply separately for each scheme.
Education and scholarships:
- Post-Matric Scholarship (SC, OBC, NT, VJNT, SBC)
- Rajashri EBC Scholarship (any caste, income below ₹8 lakh)
- Fee concession in government and aided colleges
- Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) Certificate for OBC students
- Hostel admission under government schemes
- EWS Certificate application (supporting document)
College admissions:
- Domicile Certificate application (supporting document)
- Admission to government hostels and paying-guest facilities
Government welfare schemes:
- Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (housing scheme) — income-based eligibility
- Antyodaya / BPL ration card upgrade or new connection
- LPG subsidy under Ujjwala Yojana
- Various state social welfare schemes for economically weaker families
Before You Start — Checklist
Before logging into Aaple Sarkar, have these ready:
- Aadhaar card (applicant + family head)
- Ration card
- 7/12 Utara or 8A extract (if you own farmland)
- Salary slip OR notarised income affidavit (if self-employed/farmer)
- School leaving certificate (for student applications)
- Mobile number linked to Aadhaar (for OTP login)
How to Apply on Aaple Sarkar — Step by Step
- Go to aaplesarkar.mahaonline.gov.in
- Click New User Registration if first time, or Login with your Aadhaar-linked mobile number
- On the dashboard, go to Revenue Department
- Select Income Certificate (उत्पन्नाचा दाखला)
- Fill the form — name, address, and income details must match your Aadhaar exactly
- Select the correct taluka and district (where you currently live)
- Upload scanned copies of all required documents
- Pay the fee online (₹20–50 depending on taluka)
- Note the Application Reference Number — you will need this to track status
Your application goes to the local Tehsildar for verification. If all documents are in order, the certificate is issued within 7–15 working days.
Documents Required
- Aadhaar card (mandatory)
- Ration card
- 7/12 extract (Satbara Utara) or 8A — if you own farmland
- Salary slip (if salaried) or notarised self-declaration affidavit (if self-employed)
- School leaving certificate (for students)
See the full list with details: Documents Required for Income Certificate
How Long It Takes
| Stage | Time |
|---|---|
| Online form submission | Same day |
| Document verification by Tehsildar | 3–7 working days |
| Field enquiry (if needed) | Additional 3–5 days |
| Certificate issued | 7–15 working days total |
| Download from Aaple Sarkar | Immediately after approval |
If your application is still pending after 15 working days, visit your taluka’s Tehsildar office in person with your application number.
Common Issues
- Name mismatch with Aadhaar → How to fix name mismatch
- Father’s name mismatch → Fix father name mismatch
- Application rejected → All rejection reasons and fixes
- Need a self-employed affidavit → Affidavit template and format
How to Check Application Status
Track your application on Aaple Sarkar using your application reference number. A step-by-step walkthrough: How to check income certificate status
Validity and Scholarship Year
An Income Certificate is valid for 1 year from the date of issue. For scholarship applications, there is an important detail: the portal asks for a certificate from a specific financial year. Submitting the wrong year’s certificate is the most common scholarship rejection reason.
Full explanation: Which income certificate year is required for scholarships
मराठीत वाचा
हा संपूर्ण मार्गदर्शक मराठीत उपलब्ध आहे: उत्पन्नाचा दाखला – संपूर्ण माहिती (मराठी)
This guide is for informational purposes only. Requirements may change — always verify on the official Aaple Sarkar portal.