IITM BS Family Income Certificate: Format, Who Signs and When

The IITM BS family income certificate is a one-page form in IIT Madras's own format. It is issued for one financial year and signed with a seal by a local district authority, such as a Tahsildar, BDO, SDO, Mandal Revenue Officer, Revenue Officer or District Magistrate. You do not need it to apply for the qualifier. You need it when you join, to claim an income-based fee waiver. The FAQ says it is valid for one year, so you submit a fresh one every year.

Do you need one?

Only if your fee waiver depends on income. This is how the Data Science fee table sets it out, and the other programmes follow the same bands.

A PwD student claiming 50% needs only the PwD certificate. If your family earns more than Rs 5 lakh a year and you are General or OBC, there is no waiver, so you do not need the certificate. The full table is in the fee waiver guide.

What the format asks for

The official format PDF is linked in the fee section of each programme's academics page. It has these parts:

1. The financial year the certificate is issued for.
2. Your name, and the name of your father, mother or spouse.
3. Your address: village or town, post office or police station, mouja, taluk or mandal, district and state.
4. Your family's annual income from all sources, in figures and in words.
5. A table with the profession and yearly income of each earning member: (a) you, (b) your father, (c) your mother, (d) your spouse, and (e) any other source, meaning siblings or children under 18.
6. The gross total, which is a + b + c + d + e.
7. Date, place, and the officer's signature with seal.

A note on the form says income covers all sources, such as salary, farming, business and profession.

Whose income counts

The fee pages define family income as the income of:

• you,
• your parents,
• your spouse,
• your brothers, sisters and children below 18 years of age.

Going by this wording, an older brother's or sister's income is not listed. If an adult sibling supports the family and you are unsure, ask support before you get the certificate made, so the numbers match what IITM expects.

Who signs it

The form says the certificate should be issued by local district authorities, such as:

• District Magistrate
• Revenue Officer
• S.D.O.
• B.D.O.
• Mandal Revenue Officer (M.R.O.)
• Tahsildar

The form does not mention a notary, an employer or a self-declaration. The FAQ asks for the certificate "in the format provided", so a general state income certificate in a different layout may not be accepted. Take the IITM format to the office and ask them to fill that.

When you submit it, and how long it lasts

Your EWS or OBC-NCL certificate has its own timeline. The DS and MG FAQs say an approved one is valid for three terms. The FAQs also say you must submit it again if it is not valid until the end of the current financial year.

The extra check at diploma and degree level

From the January 2026 term, diploma and degree students with family income below Rs 5 lakh who claim an income-based waiver must also submit ITR and/or Form 26AS for themselves, their parents or spouse. These are checked against the income you declared. If they are rejected, the waiver is withdrawn and you pay the fee for your category. The fee pages add that a nominal fee may be charged for this extra check. Details are in the income verification guide.

Tips so it is not rejected

• Apply at the office early. Getting a signed certificate can take time, and registration has a deadline.
• Check which financial year your registration form asks for, and make sure the certificate matches.
• Fill every earning member's row, and check the total adds up.
• Keep the income consistent with your EWS or OBC-NCL certificate and, later, your ITR or Form 26AS.
• Upload a clear scan. The FAQ warns that unclear or broken files can be rejected.

General category students should also read the general category waiver rules. For how the waiver then shows up in your fees, see the Institution Fee Advance explained.

Common questions

Do I need a new income certificate every term?

No, every year. The DS, ES, AE and MG FAQs all say the family income certificate is valid for one year and must be submitted afresh each year to keep an income-based waiver.

My parents are farmers with no salary slip. Can I still get it?

The form counts all sources of income, including farming, so farm income goes in the table and the issuing officer certifies it. From the diploma level, though, you may also need ITR or Form 26AS, so ask support early if your family does not file taxes.

Can I use my EWS certificate instead of the income certificate?

No. General category students need both an EWS certificate and the family income certificate. The FAQ says this is part of IITM's checks to make sure the waiver reaches students who need it.

I am SC and want only the 50% waiver. Do I need this form?

No. The 50% waiver for SC, ST and PwD students needs only the category certificate. You need the income certificate only if you claim 75% based on family income of Rs 1 lakh or less.