Children eligible for scholarships under the PM CARES for Children Scheme will not automatically lose access to benefits if they do not have an Aadhaar number or face difficulties during identity verification. The central government has introduced alternative procedures to help eligible beneficiaries complete the verification process in such cases.
The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment issued a Gazette notification on October 14, 2026, outlining alternative arrangements for Aadhaar enrolment issues, missing identification details and biometric authentication failures.
The new provisions aim to ensure that eligible children can access their benefits even when standard Aadhaar-based verification cannot be completed.
How Can Children Without Aadhaar Receive Scholarship Benefits?
Under the notified provisions, eligible children who do not yet have an Aadhaar number must apply for Aadhaar enrolment. They should retain the acknowledgement receipt containing their enrolment ID.
For children below 18 years of age, parental or legal guardian consent is required for Aadhaar enrolment. Until the Aadhaar number is issued, their identity can be established through the alternative documents prescribed under the notification.
Applicants may also need to provide documents establishing their relationship with their parent or legal guardian, depending on the circumstances.
Documents Required for Children Below 18 Years
Children under 18 can use specified documents to establish their identity and age. These may include a birth certificate, an Indian passport or a Class 10 or Class 12 certificate or marksheet issued by a recognised education board.
For children living in registered childcare institutions, a birth certificate issued by the appropriate authority may also be accepted under the applicable provisions.
Documents such as a photograph-bearing ration card, passport and other government-issued records specified in the notification may be used to establish the relationship between the child and their parent or legal guardian.
In cases involving adoption or legal guardianship, relevant documents issued by a court or an authorised official may be required to establish the relationship.
What Documents Can Applicants Aged 18 or Above Use?
Beneficiaries aged 18 or older who have not received an Aadhaar number must provide their enrolment acknowledgement and the alternative identification documents applicable to their category.
The documents specified in the notification may include a voter ID card, ration card, Indian passport, driving licence and Class 10 or Class 12 certificate. Certain government-issued or public sector organisation identity cards and disability-related identification documents may also be accepted, depending on the applicable provisions.
Applicants should confirm which documents are valid for their particular circumstances before submitting their verification details.
What Happens If Aadhaar Biometric Verification Fails?
Aadhaar verification may sometimes fail because fingerprints, iris scans or facial recognition cannot be completed successfully. In such situations, alternative verification methods may be used under the prescribed rules.
Where available, identity verification can be attempted through another biometric method or an OTP-based process.
If both biometric and OTP authentication fail, the notification provides for verification using a secure Aadhaar QR code or the Aadhaar Paperless Offline e-KYC document. These methods allow identity details to be checked offline by verifying the UIDAI digital signature.
The relevant department must verify the beneficiary’s identity and relationship with the parent or legal guardian where required. Records of such cases will be maintained and periodically reviewed and audited.
When Did the New PM CARES Scholarship Rules Take Effect?
According to Gazette notification number S.O. 5628(A), the provisions took effect on October 14, 2026, the date of publication in the Gazette.
Eligible children and their parents or guardians should keep Aadhaar enrolment receipts and the required alternative identity documents ready in case additional verification is needed. They should also follow the instructions issued by the relevant department to complete the process.
Disclaimer
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and is based on the details provided in the source material. Document requirements, verification procedures and eligibility conditions are subject to the applicable government notification and scheme guidelines. Beneficiaries should consult the official Gazette notification or the relevant government department to confirm the requirements applicable to their cases.