An Income Tax Return (ITR) is not an absolute mandatory document for the Student Direct Stream (SDS), but it strengthens your financial proof — especially if a parent or sponsor is funding you.
Guidance from the group:- If your parents are sponsoring you financially and one of them is employed, include their ITR, bank statements, and salary slips as part of the financial documentation.
- If you are not a tax payer (e.g., a student with no independent income), you can support your file with alternative proof: your own bank statements plus property documents (personal or parental) to demonstrate financial standing and ties.
- There's no single fixed rule for what's "required" — the goal is to build a convincing, complete financial picture, so include whichever combination of ITR, bank statements, and property documents best supports your specific situation.
Takeaway: if you don't file taxes, that alone won't sink your application — compensate with strong bank statements and property/asset documentation, and include your sponsor's ITR if they're the one funding your studies.