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Core Purpose

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways notifies the use of Aadhaar authentication for verifying applicants on the NOC Portal for access and Right-of-Way permissions, ensuring it is voluntary and requires consent.

Detailed Summary

This notification, S.O. 125(E) dated January 8, 2026, issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, authorizes the use of Aadhaar authentication for verifying applicants on the NOC Portal. This portal is being developed for processing applications related to access permissions from National Highways and Right-of-Way permissions for public and industrial utilities. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, after consulting the Unique Identification Authority of India, previously authorized Aadhaar authentication for good governance purposes via letter No. 13(2)/2020-EG-II (Vol-II) dated October 7, 2025. In pursuance of Rule 5 of the Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance (Social Welfare, Innovation, Knowledge) Rules, 2020, read with Section 4(4)(b)(ii) of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016 (18 of 2016), the notification mandates obtaining consent from Aadhaar number holders for authentication. It explicitly states that Aadhaar authentication is voluntary, and no service shall be denied to applicants for refusal or inability to undergo it. The Ministry must inform applicants of alternate viable identification means, including Permanent Account Number (PAN), Driving Licence, Passport, and Elector's Photo Identity Card. This notification comes into effect from its publication date and supersedes all previous related notifications for the NOC Portal. It is signed by Mayank Tyagi, Director.

Full Text

REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99 The Gazette of India CG-DL-E-09012026-269227 EXTRAORDINARY PART II-Section 3-Sub-section (ii) PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY No. 115] NEW DELHI, THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 2026/PAUSHA 18, 1947 MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS NOTIFICATION New Delhi, the 8th January, 2026 S.O. 125(E).- Whereas the use of Aadhaar to establish identity enables individuals and entities to access Government services in a secure, convenient and seamless manner, obviates the need for multiplicity of documents to establish identity, simplifies processes, promotes transparency and efficiency; And whereas the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India (hereinafter referred to as “the said Ministry”), after consultation with the Unique Identification Authority of India, has vide its letter No. 13(2)/2020-EG-II (Vol-II), dated the 7th October, 2025, authorised to perform Aadhar authentication for good governance purposes and to notify the same under rule 5 of the Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance (Social Welfare, Innovation, Knowledge) Rules, 2020 (hereinafter referred to as "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 (18 of 2016) (hereinafter referred to as "the Act"); And whereas the said Ministry intends to use Aadhaar authentication for the purposes of verifying applicants on the NOC Portal being developed, for processing of applications related to access permissions from National Highways and Right-of-Way permissions for accommodation of public and industrial utilities along National Highways, in order to ensure secure, authenticated, and verified submission of applications through a unified digital platform in the interest of good governance, transparency and efficiency. 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 Ministry of Road Transport and Highways hereby notify the following, namely: 1. (1) The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways shall obtain the consent of the Aadhaar number holder for the purpose of authentication. (2) As per sub-rule (2) of rule 3 of the said rules, Aadhaar authentication shall be on a voluntary basis, and no service shall be denied to any applicant for refusal or inability to undergo Aadhaar authentication. (3) The said Ministry shall inform all applicants of alternate and viable means of identification, which shall include, inter alia: (i) Permanent Account Number (PAN); (ii) Driving Licence; (iii) Passport; (iv) Elector's Photo Identity Card. 2. This notification shall come into effect from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette and shall supersede all previous notifications or authorisations, if any, relating to Aadhaar authentication for the NOC Portal. [F. No. I-34016/44/2025-IT] MAYANK TYAGI, Director

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