Notification

REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99 The Gazette of India CG-DL-E-18032026-271056 EXTRAORDINARY PART II-Section 3-Sub-section (ii) PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY No. 1330] NEW DELHI, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2026/PHALGUNA 27, 1947 MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING (Department of Fisheries) NOTIFICATION New Delhi, the 10th March, 2026 S.O. 1395(E). - Whereas the use of Aadhaar number to establish identity enables individuals to receive subsidies, benefits and services under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund, Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana, or any scheme, programs or services of Department of Fisheries, Government of India 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. 22(5)/2025- Cyber Laws, dated 23rd September, 2025 to the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (hereinafter referred to as the said Ministry) 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 identification of fishers (hereinafter referred to as the said purpose) as prescribed 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 said purpose. 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) The Ministry, as provided in the Act, shall obtain the consent of the Aadhaar number holder for the purpose of authentication herein. (2) As per sub-rule (2) of rule 3 of the said rules, Aadhaar authentication is on voluntary basis the 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) Fishers ID Card issued by Government of India; (b) Permanent Account Number Card; (c) Passport; (d) Bank Passbook with photo; (e) Driving License issued by Licensing Authority under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (59 of 1988); and (f) Ration card (g) Any other document as specified by the Ministry 2. This notification shall come into effect from the date of its publication in the official Gazette. [F. No. j-2703435/9/2024-Fy] Ms. NEETU KUMARI PRASAD, Jt. Secy. (Marine Fisheries) Explanation: For the purpose of this notification, 'Fishers' includes 'fish farmers, fish-workers, fishing vessels owners, fish entrepreneurs, or any citizen of India intended to obtain benefit from the scheme and service or services implemented or provided/facilitated by the Ministry.