Publication of Notification in the Official Gazette of India

REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99 The Gazette of India CG-DL-E-08072026-274287 EXTRAORDINARY PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (i) PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY No. 535] NEW DELHI, WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 2026/ASHADHA 17, 1948 5125 GI/2026 MINISTRY OF COAL NOTIFICATION New Delhi, the 8th July, 2026 G.S.R. 593(E).— WHEREAS the use of Aadhaar number to establish identity enables students to receive coaching facility 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 Coal (hereinafter referred to as the said Ministry), after consultation with the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), for the purposes specified 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 shall 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 providing coaching facility to students for National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) examination under Corporate Social Responsibility - 'South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) ke Sushrut' (hereinafter referred to as the said purpose) as specified under sub-rule (1) of rule 3 of the said rules and 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 proposed Aadhaar Authentication Service for the purpose, which is designed to ensure efficient, transparent and targeted delivery of benefits to the students. AND WHEREAS, under this process, students or beneficiaries shall be verified through biometric Aadhaar authentication and the said educational facility benefit shall be provided by the concerned implementing agency. 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 said Ministry, as provided in the Act, shall obtain the consent of the Aadhaar number holder for the purpose of authentication herein. (2) The Aadhaar authentication is on voluntary basis, the said Ministry shall inform to 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) Permanent Account Number (PAN) Card; (b) Ration Card; and (c) Voter Identity Card. 2. This notification shall come into force on the date of its publication in the Official Gazette. [F. No. 49029/2/2024-CSRW] CHETNA SHUKLA, Dy. Director General Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064 and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054. SRIVASTAVA SARVESH KUMAR