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Core Purpose

The Ministry of Education notifies that Educational Consultants India Limited is permitted to perform Aadhaar authentication for establishing the identity of candidates, invigilators, and other personnel involved in government examinations, as per Rule 5 of the Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance (Social Welfare, Innovation, Knowledge) Rules, 2020.

Detailed Summary

The Ministry of Education (Department of Higher Education) issued Notification S.O. 4225(E) on September 17, 2025, published on September 18, 2025, to permit Educational Consultants India Limited (EdCIL) to perform Aadhaar authentication for establishing the identity of candidates, invigilators, and other personnel involved in various government examinations. This authorization follows a letter from the Government of India, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, dated July 29, 2025 (No. eF.No. 13(3)/2022-EG-II), issued after consultation with the Unique Identification Authority of India. The notification is made under Rule 5 of the Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance (Social Welfare, Innovation, Knowledge) Rules, 2020, 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). Key provisions include that Aadhaar authentication must be voluntary, EdCIL must obtain consent from the Aadhaar number holder, inform them of alternate identification means, and not deny service if an individual refuses or is unable to undergo authentication. The authentication is solely for establishing genuineness, and the notification comes into effect from its publication date.

Full Text

REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99 The Gazette of India CG-DL-E-19092025-266244 EXTRAORDINARY PART II-Section 3-Sub-section (ii) PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY No. 4108] NEW DELHI, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2025/BHADRA 27, 1947 6197 GI/2025 (1) MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (Department of Higher Education) NOTIFICATION New Delhi, the 17th September, 2025 S.O. 4225(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 Government of India, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, after consultation with the Unique Identification Authority of India, had allowed vide its letter No. eF.No. 13(3)/2022-EG-II, dated the 29th July, 2025 to the Government of India, Ministry of Education, Department of Higher Education (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 Educational Consultants India Limited (hereinafter referred as the said Agency) 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 (18 of 2016) (hereinafter referred to as the said Act); And whereas, the Aadhaar authentication shall be performed to establish the identity of candidates during various stages of examinations, along with that of the invigilators and other personnel involved for various government examinations being conducted by the Agency(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 Agency shall perform the Aadhaar authentication only for establishing genuineness of the candidate or personnel; Now, therefore, in pursuance of rule 5 of the Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance (Social Welfare, Innovation, Knowledge) Rules, 2020 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), the said Ministry hereby notifies the following, namely:- (a) the agency as provided in the said Act, shall obtain the consent of the Aadhaar number holder for the purpose of authentication herein; (b) as per sub-rule (2) of rule 3 of the said rules, Aadhaar authentication is on voluntary basis and the Agency shall inform to the Aadhaar number holder of alternate and viable means of identification and the said Agency shall not deny service to the Aadhaar number holder for refusing to, being unable to, undergo Aadhaar authentication. 2. This notification shall come into effect from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette. [F. No. 21-11/2025-TS.II] GOVIND JAISWAL, Jt. Secy. 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.

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