What is an Income Affidavit?
An income affidavit (aay shapat patra) is a legally sworn declaration in which a person states their annual income from all sources — salary, business, agriculture, rent, interest, or any other income.
It is one of the most commonly required documents in India. Schools, colleges, scholarship portals, government welfare departments, banks, and courts all accept an income affidavit as valid proof of income when an official income certificate is not yet available or when immediate verification is needed.
Note: An income affidavit is a self-declaration sworn before a Notary Public. It is different from an Income Certificate, which is issued by the Tehsildar / SDM after official verification.
Where is an Income Affidavit Required?
Income affidavits are commonly required for the following purposes:
- Scholarships — NSP, Post-Matric, Pre-Matric, State Merit Scholarships
- Government schemes — Ayushman Bharat, PM Awas Yojana, Ration Card, Ujjwala Yojana
- Education — RTE admission, fee concession, EWS quota, hostel admission
- Bank loans — Education loan, Personal loan, Home loan
- Legal purposes — Court cases, maintenance, alimony
- Visa & immigration — Proof of financial status
- Passport — For certain categories
- Insurance claims — Where income proof is required
- Property matters — Registration, disputes
- Employment — Joining formalities, EWS certificate support
Documents Required for Income Affidavit
Keep the following documents ready before you begin:
- Aadhaar Card
- PAN Card
- Address proof (Electricity bill / Ration card / Rent agreement)
- Passport-size photographs (2 copies)
- Salary slips (for salaried individuals)
- ITR / Form 16 (if available)
- Bank statement (last 6 months)
- Business income proof (for business owners)
- Non-judicial stamp paper (₹10 / ₹20 / ₹50 / ₹100)
- Two witnesses with valid ID proof
Income Affidavit Format — What It Contains
A standard income affidavit format typically includes the following information:
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Deponent Name | Full legal name of the person declaring income |
| Father's / Husband's Name | Relation and name |
| Address | Complete residential address with PIN |
| Date of Birth | As per Aadhaar / birth certificate |
| Occupation | Job, business, agriculture, etc. |
| Annual Income | Total income from all sources |
| Source of Income | Salary, business, rent, agriculture, etc. |
| Purpose | Scholarship / Scheme / Loan / Legal |
| Declaration | Sworn statement that income is correct |
| Place & Date | Where and when the affidavit is signed |
| Signature | Deponent + two witnesses |
| Notary Verification | Notary stamp, registration number & seal |
How to Make an Income Affidavit — Step by Step
- Fill the online form on AffidavitFormat.com with your name, father's name, address, occupation, annual income, and source of income.
- Choose your language — Hindi, English, or bilingual (Dwibhashi).
- Select the correct stamp paper value for your state — ₹10, ₹20, ₹50, or ₹100 non-judicial stamp paper.
- Click Preview to review your affidavit. Check spellings, income amount, and dates carefully.
- Print the affidavit on the selected stamp paper. If you don't have stamp paper, use e-stamp paper from the SHCIL portal.
- Sign before a Notary Public with two witnesses. The notary will verify your identity and apply their seal.
- Attach supporting documents — Aadhaar, PAN, salary slips, ITR, bank statement, as applicable.
- Submit to the authority — scholarship portal, government office, bank, or court.
Income Limits for Popular Scholarships (2026)
Most scholarships and government schemes have an annual income cap. Below is a quick reference:
| Scheme / Scholarship | Income Limit |
|---|---|
| National Scholarship Portal (NSP) – Post-Matric | ₹2.5 lakh / year |
| Pre-Matric Scholarship (SC/ST/OBC) | ₹2.5 lakh / year |
| Central Sector Scheme (CSS) | ₹4.5 lakh / year |
| PM YASASVI (OBC/EBC/DNT) | ₹2.5 lakh / year |
| RTE Admission (25% quota) | State-specific (₹1–3 lakh) |
| EWS Certificate | ₹8 lakh / year |
| Ayushman Bharat | As per SECC database |
Tip: Always check the latest official guidelines before applying, as income limits are revised periodically by central and state governments.
Important Points to Remember
- Declare income from all sources — salary, business, rent, interest, agriculture.
- Do not under-report or over-report income — it is a sworn statement.
- Use the correct stamp paper value as per your state's rules.
- Attach supporting documents — salary slips, ITR, bank statements — to strengthen your case.
- Sign only in front of the Notary with two witnesses present.
- Keep multiple notarized copies for future use.
- Income affidavit is usually valid for 6 to 12 months from notarization.
Legal Tip: If the accepting authority demands an Income Certificate instead of an affidavit, apply at your state's e-District portal, CSC center, or Tehsil office. The affidavit can often be used as a temporary or supporting document in the meantime.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
An income affidavit is a legally sworn declaration in which a person states their annual income from all sources. It is used for scholarships, government schemes, education, bank loans, and legal purposes.
Yes. An income affidavit is legally valid in India when printed on non-judicial stamp paper, signed by the deponent, and notarized by a Notary Public.
Income affidavits are commonly required for scholarships, government welfare schemes, RTE admissions, income certificates, bank loans, legal proceedings, and visa applications.
An income certificate is issued by a government authority (Tehsildar/SDM) after verification, while an income affidavit is a self-declaration sworn before a Notary Public. Many offices accept the affidavit as preliminary proof.
The affidavit format is free on AffidavitFormat.com. You only pay for non-judicial stamp paper (₹10 to ₹100) and notary charges (usually ₹50 to ₹200).
You need Aadhaar card, PAN card, address proof, salary slips or ITR (if salaried), two passport-size photos, and non-judicial stamp paper.
Yes. Income affidavits are widely accepted for scholarships like NSP, Post-Matric, Pre-Matric, and state-level schemes. Check the specific scholarship guidelines for the required income threshold.
An income affidavit is usually valid for 6 to 12 months from the date of notarization, depending on the accepting authority's rules.
Yes. AffidavitFormat.com provides the income affidavit in Hindi, English, and bilingual (Dwibhashi) formats, which you can print directly from your browser.
Yes. Most Indian states require the affidavit on ₹10, ₹20, ₹50, or ₹100 non-judicial stamp paper, depending on the purpose and state rules.
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