PM CARES Scholarship 2026: How to Get Benefits Without an Aadhaar Card
Students eligible for the PM CARES Scholarship 2026 will not automatically lose access to financial assistance if they do not have an Aadhaar card or face difficulties during identity verification. The central government has introduced alternative arrangements to help eligible children receive benefits even when Aadhaar enrolment is pending or authentication fails. The new rules explain which documents can be used, how parents or legal guardians can establish a child's identity and what alternatives are available when biometric verification does not work.
The provisions address situations such as pending Aadhaar enrolment, failed biometric authentication and difficulties completing verification through the usual process. Eligible beneficiaries can use the prescribed alternative documents and verification methods, subject to the applicable requirements.
The objective is to prevent eligible children from missing out on financial assistance because of technical problems or the absence of an Aadhaar number.
For beneficiaries below 18 years of age, parental or legal guardian consent is required for Aadhaar enrolment, as applicable under the rules.
Until an Aadhaar number is issued, eligible children can establish their identity using the alternative documents prescribed in the notification. They may also need to submit documents proving their relationship with their parent or legal guardian.
Applicants should check the relevant department's requirements before submitting their documents to ensure that the verification process is completed correctly.
For adopted children or those under legal guardianship, relevant documents issued by a court or authorised official may be needed to establish the relationship or guardianship.
The exact documents accepted will depend on the beneficiary's circumstances and the applicable provisions.
Depending on the applicable category and requirements, accepted documents may include:
The prescribed rules provide alternative verification options in eligible cases. Depending on the situation, identity may be verified using another available biometric method or an OTP-based process.
If both biometric and OTP authentication fail, verification may be completed using an Aadhaar secure QR code or the Aadhaar Paperless Offline e-KYC document. These methods allow identity details to be checked offline through verification of the UIDAI digital signature, in accordance with the prescribed procedure.
Beneficiaries or their guardians should contact the relevant department if they encounter repeated authentication problems and ask which alternative method is applicable to their case.
In cases where alternative documents are used, the concerned department will be required to verify the beneficiary's identity and relationship with the parent or legal guardian, as applicable. Records of these cases will be maintained and may be reviewed and audited periodically.
These safeguards are intended to make the verification process more accessible while ensuring that benefits reach eligible recipients.
Eligible children and their parents or guardians should keep the Aadhaar enrolment acknowledgement and relevant identity documents ready if alternative verification is required. They should also confirm the latest document requirements with the department responsible for processing their benefits.
Important: The absence of an Aadhaar card or a failed authentication attempt should not automatically be treated as a reason for denying benefits to an otherwise eligible child. However, beneficiaries must still meet the scheme's eligibility criteria and complete the applicable identity verification process.
PM CARES Scholarship 2026: What Are the New Rules?
The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment issued a Gazette notification on October 14, 2026, setting out alternative identity verification arrangements for beneficiaries covered by the relevant scheme.The provisions address situations such as pending Aadhaar enrolment, failed biometric authentication and difficulties completing verification through the usual process. Eligible beneficiaries can use the prescribed alternative documents and verification methods, subject to the applicable requirements.
The objective is to prevent eligible children from missing out on financial assistance because of technical problems or the absence of an Aadhaar number.
How Can Students Get the Scholarship Without Aadhaar?
Children who are eligible for benefits but have not yet received an Aadhaar number must apply for Aadhaar enrolment. They should keep the acknowledgement slip issued by the enrolment centre, which contains the enrolment ID.For beneficiaries below 18 years of age, parental or legal guardian consent is required for Aadhaar enrolment, as applicable under the rules.
Until an Aadhaar number is issued, eligible children can establish their identity using the alternative documents prescribed in the notification. They may also need to submit documents proving their relationship with their parent or legal guardian.
Applicants should check the relevant department's requirements before submitting their documents to ensure that the verification process is completed correctly.
Documents Required for Children Below 18 Years
Parents and guardians of eligible children under 18 should keep valid identity and age documents ready. Depending on the circumstances, the prescribed documents may include:- Birth certificate issued by the appropriate authority.
- Indian passport.
- Class 10 or Class 12 marksheet or certificate issued by a recognised education board.
- A birth certificate issued by the competent authority for a child living in a registered childcare institution, where applicable.
For adopted children or those under legal guardianship, relevant documents issued by a court or authorised official may be needed to establish the relationship or guardianship.
The exact documents accepted will depend on the beneficiary's circumstances and the applicable provisions.
What Documents Can Beneficiaries Aged 18 and Above Use?
Eligible beneficiaries aged 18 or older who do not have an Aadhaar number may need to submit their Aadhaar enrolment acknowledgement along with the prescribed identity documents.Depending on the applicable category and requirements, accepted documents may include:
- Voter ID card.
- Ration card.
- Indian passport.
- Driving licence.
- Class 10 or Class 12 certificate.
- Identity documents issued by specified government departments or public sector organisations.
- Disability identity documents, where applicable.
What If Aadhaar Biometric Verification Fails?
Aadhaar authentication may sometimes fail because fingerprints, iris scans or facial recognition cannot be matched successfully. Such failures do not necessarily mean that the beneficiary is ineligible for assistance.The prescribed rules provide alternative verification options in eligible cases. Depending on the situation, identity may be verified using another available biometric method or an OTP-based process.
If both biometric and OTP authentication fail, verification may be completed using an Aadhaar secure QR code or the Aadhaar Paperless Offline e-KYC document. These methods allow identity details to be checked offline through verification of the UIDAI digital signature, in accordance with the prescribed procedure.
Beneficiaries or their guardians should contact the relevant department if they encounter repeated authentication problems and ask which alternative method is applicable to their case.
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Why Has the Government Introduced Alternative Verification?
The purpose of the new arrangements is to ensure that eligible beneficiaries are not excluded from scholarship and other scheme benefits solely because they lack an Aadhaar number or face technical verification difficulties.In cases where alternative documents are used, the concerned department will be required to verify the beneficiary's identity and relationship with the parent or legal guardian, as applicable. Records of these cases will be maintained and may be reviewed and audited periodically.
These safeguards are intended to make the verification process more accessible while ensuring that benefits reach eligible recipients.
When Did the New PM CARES Scholarship Rules Come Into Effect?
According to the information provided in the notification, S.O. 5628(A), issued by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, the new provisions took effect on October 14, 2026, the date of publication in the Gazette.Eligible children and their parents or guardians should keep the Aadhaar enrolment acknowledgement and relevant identity documents ready if alternative verification is required. They should also confirm the latest document requirements with the department responsible for processing their benefits.
Important: The absence of an Aadhaar card or a failed authentication attempt should not automatically be treated as a reason for denying benefits to an otherwise eligible child. However, beneficiaries must still meet the scheme's eligibility criteria and complete the applicable identity verification process.
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