Performance of Aadhaar authentication on a voluntary basis for trainees, trainers, and examiners on the Skill India Digital Hub

REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99 The Gazette of India CG-DL-E-05032026-270663 EXTRAORDINARY PART II-Section 3-Sub-section (ii) PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY No. 1106] NEW DELHI, TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2026/PHALGUNA 12, 1947 MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP NOTIFICATION New Delhi, the 3rd March, 2026 S.O. 1158(E). - Whereas the use of Aadhaar number to establish identity enables individuals to receive subsidies, benefits and services in a convenient and seamless manner, obviates the need for multiplicity of documents to establish identity, simplifies processes and promotes transparency and efficiency; And whereas the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India, after consultation with the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), had allowed vide its letter no. eF. No. 22(1)/2026-CyberLaws dated 5th January, 2026 to the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (hereinafter referred to as the said Ministry), Government of India (hereinafter referred to as the said Government) for the purposes prescribed under sub-rule (1) of rule 3 of the Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance (Social Welfare, Innovation, Knowledge) Rules, 2020 (hereinafter referred to as the said rules) that the said Ministry may be allowed to perform authentication and be permitted the use of Aadhaar number during authentication for establishing identity of Aadhaar number holder and notify the same under rule 5 of the said rules read with sub-clause (ii) of clause (b) of sub-section (4) of section 4 of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016 (hereinafter referred to as the Act); And whereas, the Aadhaar authentication shall be performed for the usage of digital platforms to ensure good governance, promoting ease of living of residents and enabling better access of services for them (hereinafter referred to as the said purpose) as prescribed under sub-rule (1) of rule 3 of the said rules; And whereas, the performance of Aadhaar authentication for the said purpose shall be on voluntary basis and that the said Ministry shall perform the Aadhaar authentication only for the following use case(s): (a) Authentication of trainees during enrolment, admission and issuance of certificates; (b) Authentication of trainers and examiners during assessment process of vocational educational system; Now, therefore, in pursuance of rule 5 of the said rules read with sub-clause (ii) of clause (b) of sub-section (4) of section 4 of the Act, the said Ministry hereby notifies the following, namely: 1. (1) The Ministry, as provided in the Act, shall obtain the consent of the Aadhaar number holder for the purpose of authentication herein. (2) Aadhaar authentication facilities used shall be using Yes/No authentication or/and e-KYC authentication. (3) As per sub-rule (2) of rule 3 of the said rules, Aadhaar authentication is on voluntary basis; the Ministry shall inform the Aadhaar number holder of alternate and viable means of identification and shall not deny any service to the Aadhaar number holder for refusing to, or being unable to, undergo Aadhaar authentication, namely: (a) Bank or Post Office Passbook with photo; (b) Voter Identity Card; (c) Passport; (d) Permanent Account Number (PAN) Card. 2. This notification shall come into effect from the date of its publication in the official Gazette. [F. No. DGT-39/2024-IT Cell] NIRANJAN KUMAR SUDHANSU, Addl. Secy.