Hyderabad: The Telangana government has earmarked 33.3% for women in the state government posts and services under the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) quota.

A government order issued on Tuesday, August 24, on the guidelines for implementing the 10% EWS reservations in the state, also directed every higher educational institution in Telangana to increase the number of seats in each branch of study or faculty for admitting EWS candidates for all admission notifications issued thereafter.

"33.3% of the initial appointments in posts and services under the state government earmarked for EWS category shall be allocated to women among them," the order issued by Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar said.

The consolidated guidelines were issued two years after the Centre announced 10% EWS reservation for initial postings and admissions into educational institutions.

As of now, 50% reservation is being provided to the weaker sections in the State. With 10% reservations to the EWS, the reservation percentage shall now increase to 60%.

"Persons who are not covered under the scheme of reservation for SCs, STs and BCs and whose family's gross annual income is below Rs 8 lakh are to be identified as EWS for benefit of reservation," the guidelines said. Income shall also include earnings from all sources such as salary, agriculture, business among others for the financial year prior to that of application.

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