How to Apply for Income Certificate

Last updated: January 7, 2026 Type: Article

Disclaimer:
The sample application form provided below is only for illustrative and reference purposes and has been taken from the Delhi Government Income Certificate application format to help applicants understand the general nature of information sought.

Each State/UT in India prescribes its own application form, eligibility conditions, supporting documents, fee structures, issuing authority, and procedure.

What Is an Income Certificate

An Income Certificate is an official document issued by the State/UT Government certifying the annual income of an individual or family from all sources.

It is commonly required for:

Scholarships and fee concessions
Government welfare schemes and subsidies
Education admissions under income-based quotas
Economically linked benefits and reliefs

Issuing authority generally includes SDM / Tehsildar / Revenue Officer / District Magistrate, depending on the state.

Key Points You Should Know

State-specific document: Criteria, format, and validity differ across states.
Time-bound validity: Usually valid for one financial year unless stated otherwise.
Self-declared but verified: Income is declared by the applicant and verified by revenue authorities.
Different forms in different states: No single all-India format.

How to Apply

Online Application (Preferred in Most States)

Step 1: Visit your State e-District / Citizen Services portal (ending with govt.in or nic.in).
Step 2: Register/Login as a citizen.
Step 3: Select Income Certificate service.
Step 4: Fill in income details and upload documents.
Step 5: Pay the prescribed fee (if any).
Step 6: Submit the application and save the acknowledgement number.
Step 7: Track the status and download the certificate once approved.

Offline Application

Step 1: Visit SDM / Tehsildar / Revenue Office / Common Service Centre (CSC).
Step 2: Collect the state-specific income certificate application form.
Step 3: Submit the completed form with documents and fee.
Step 4: Obtain acknowledgement slip.
Step 5: Collect the certificate after verification.

Commonly Required Documents

Identity proof (Aadhaar / Voter ID / PAN)
Residence proof
Income proof (salary slip, employer certificate, pension proof, affidavit for self-employed)
Self-declaration / affidavit
Passport-size photograph

State-Wise Overview

State / UT	Official Portal	Online	Offline	Fee (Approx.)	Time
Delhi	https://edistrict.delhigovt.nic.in	Yes	Yes	Free	~14–21 days
Uttar Pradesh	eDistrict Uttar Pradesh	Yes	Yes	₹15–₹30	~15–20 days
Maharashtra	https://aaplesarkar.mahaonline.gov.in/	Yes	Yes	₹0–₹50	~15–30 days
Rajasthan	https://sje.rajasthan.gov.in/	Yes	Yes	₹40–₹60	~15–30 days
Other States	State e-District portals	Yes	Yes	₹10–₹100	7–30 days

FAQs – Income Certificate

1. Is an income certificate valid forever?: No. Most states issue it for one financial year only.
2. Can unemployed or self-employed persons apply?: Yes. Income is declared via self-declaration/affidavit and verified by authorities.
3. Is Aadhaar mandatory?: Often required, but some states accept alternate government IDs.
4. Can I apply online and collect it offline?: Yes. Many portals allow online application with digital download or physical collection.
5. What if my income changes during the year?: A fresh certificate may be required if demanded by the concerned authority.
6. Can students apply independently?: Yes, usually based on family income, with parent/guardian details.