The Centre has prescribed Aadhaar authentication or proof of possession of an Aadhaar number for children seeking education assistance under the PM CARES for Children Scheme. However, the absence of an Aadhaar number or failure to complete authentication cannot, by itself, be a reason to deny the benefit.
A notification issued by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment on October 14 sets out the requirements for beneficiaries of the Special Scholarship Scheme, which provides assistance for continuing education from Class 1 to Class 12.
What if a child does not have an Aadhaar number?
A child who has not been assigned an Aadhaar number must apply for enrolment, with the consent of a parent or legal guardian. Until the number is issued, the benefit can be provided after the child’s identity and relationship with the parent or legal guardian are verified through prescribed documents.
For children below 18 years, these include an Aadhaar enrolment acknowledgement containing the Enrolment ID and proof of age, such as a birth certificate, Indian passport or Class 10 or Class 12 certificate or marks statement issued by a recognised school education board.
A photograph-bearing document establishing the relationship with a parent or legal guardian must also be furnished. Prescribed documents include a ration card, Indian passport and specified caste or domicile certificates issued by authorised officials.
For beneficiaries aged 18 years or above, the enrolment acknowledgement must be accompanied by a prescribed identity document bearing their photograph. These include an Elector’s Photo Identity Card (EPIC), ration card, Indian passport, driving licence, Class 10 or Class 12 certificate or marks statement, and specified caste or domicile certificates.
The notification also provides for foreign nationals who have not been assigned Aadhaar numbers.
The prescribed documents vary by category and include an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card for OCI cardholders, a registration certificate issued by a Foreigners Regional Registration Office for Tibetan refugees, and a Nepalese or Bhutanese passport for nationals of those countries. In cases of legal guardianship, an adoption order or another document issued by a competent authority establishing guardianship may be submitted.
What if Aadhaar authentication fails?
If biometric authentication is unsuccessful because of poor-quality biometric information or other reasons, another biometric method or one-time password (OTP)-based authentication must be offered wherever feasible and permitted.
The department will maintain records of beneficiaries receiving assistance through alternative verification and subject these cases to periodic review and audit. It will also facilitate Aadhaar enrolment for beneficiaries who do not have a number and help them update their Aadhaar details.
For genuine beneficiaries aged 18 years or above, the department will follow the exception-handling mechanism specified in an Office Memorandum dated December 19, 2017, issued by the Direct Benefit Transfer Mission under the Cabinet Secretariat.