New Delhi, Oct. 16 -- The government has notified Aadhaar authentication requirements for beneficiaries of the special scholarship scheme under PM CARES for Children, while specifying alternative procedures for children who do not have an Aadhaar number or are unable to authenticate their identity.

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment issued the notification on 14 October 2026, published in the Extraordinary Gazette of India under S.O. 5628(E). The rules, issued under Section 7 of the Aadhaar Act, 2016, cover identity verification for children receiving scholarship assistance to continue their education from Class 1 to Class 12 under the scheme.

Importantly, the notification states that a child cannot be denied benefits under ...