New Delhi: The Centre has made Aadhaar authentication or proof of possession of an Aadhaar number mandatory for receiving scholarship benefits under the PM CARES for Children Scheme. However, no child will be denied assistance for failing to authenticate Aadhaar or for not having an Aadhaar number, according to a notification issued by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
The Special Scholarship Scheme under PM CARES for Children provides assistance to students continuing their education from Class 1 to Class 12. Beneficiaries are now required to undergo Aadhaar authentication or submit proof that they possess an Aadhaar number to access these educational funds.
The notification specifies that benefits under the scheme shall not be denied to any child who fails to establish their identity through authentication, cannot provide proof of possession of an Aadhaar number, or submits an enrolment application because no Aadhaar number has yet been assigned.
In such cases, the benefit will be provided after the child's identity and relationship with a parent or legal guardian are verified through alternative documents listed in the official guidelines. Beneficiaries without an Aadhaar number are required to apply for enrolment, and applications can be made only with the consent of a parent or legal guardian. The department will facilitate the enrolment of beneficiaries who have not yet enrolled and help them update their details.
Until an Aadhaar number is assigned, children below the age of 18 can establish their identity by submitting an enrolment acknowledgement containing the Enrolment ID and proof of age. Accepted age proofs include a birth certificate, Indian passport, or a Class 10 or Class 12 certificate or marks statement issued by a recognised school education board.
They must also submit a photograph-bearing document to establish their relationship with a parent or legal guardian, such as a ration card, Indian passport, or a caste or domicile certificate issued by an authorised officer. For foreign nationals below 18 without an Aadhaar number, acceptable alternatives include an Overseas Citizen of India card, a registration certificate issued by a Foreigners Regional Registration Office for a Tibetan refugee, or a Nepalese or Bhutanese passport. In cases involving legal guardianship, an adoption order or an official document issued by a competent authority may be submitted.
Beneficiaries aged 18 or above who lack an Aadhaar number must submit an enrolment acknowledgement containing the Enrolment ID along with a prescribed identity document carrying their photograph. These options include an Elector's Photo Identity Card, ration card, Indian passport, driving licence, school board certificates, or specified caste and domicile documents.
The guidelines also introduce alternative authentication methods if Aadhaar verification fails due to poor biometric quality or other technical reasons. Where feasible and admissible, alternative biometric authentication or one-time pin options will be offered to complete the process.
The department will maintain records of cases where children receive benefits through alternative verification processes, and these instances will undergo periodic reviews and audits. For genuine beneficiaries aged 18 or above, the department will follow the standard exception-handling mechanism outlined by the Direct Benefit Transfer Mission.