Date: 2025-07-15Category: Not ApplicableState: Tamil NaduCountry: India
BACKWARD CLASSES, MOST BACKWARD CLASSES AND MINORITIES WELFARE DEPARTMENT--Notification to be issued under section 7 of Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016 (Central Act 18 of 2016)
**Executive Summary**
This document, published in the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette on July 15, 2025, mandates the use of Aadhaar authentication for beneficiaries of welfare schemes implemented by the Denotified Communities Welfare Board under the Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare Department. This is in accordance with Section 7 of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016. The notification takes effect immediately upon publication.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Aadhaar Authentication Mandate:**
* Individuals eligible for benefits under the Denotified Communities Welfare Board schemes must furnish proof of Aadhaar number or undergo Aadhaar authentication.
* Those without Aadhaar must apply for enrolment before registering for the scheme.
* The Department is required to offer Aadhaar enrolment facilities at convenient locations.
* **Alternative Identification (Until Aadhaar is Assigned):**
* Until Aadhaar is assigned, benefits will be given upon production of the Aadhaar Enrolment Identification Slip AND one of the following:
* Bank/Post Office Passbook with Photo
* PAN Card
* Passport
* Voter Identity Card
* Driving License
* Certificate of identity with photo issued by a Gazetted Officer or Tahsildar
* Any other document specified by the Department
* **Remedial Mechanisms for Authentication Failures:**
* In case of poor fingerprint quality, Integrated Risk Information System scan or face authentication shall be adopted.
* If biometric authentication fails, Aadhaar One Time Password or Time-based One-Time Password (where feasible) can be offered.
* If other methods fail, benefits can be provided based on the physical Aadhaar letter with a verified Quick Response code.
* **Exception Handling:**
* The Department must follow the exception handling mechanism outlined in the Office Memorandum of Direct Benefit Transfer Mission, Cabinet Secretariat, Government of India, dated December 19, 2017, to ensure no bonafide beneficiary is deprived of benefits.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Beneficiaries of Denotified Communities Welfare Board Schemes**
* **Impact:**
* Required to provide Aadhaar or enroll for Aadhaar to continue receiving benefits.
* May need to visit Aadhaar enrolment centers if they do not have Aadhaar.
* Aadhaar authentication will streamline the process of receiving benefits.
* Alternative identification methods are available temporarily if Aadhaar is not yet assigned.
* **Action Required:**
* Provide Aadhaar number or enroll for Aadhaar.
* If lacking Aadhaar, gather alternative identification documents as specified.
* Become aware of the media publicity related to the new requirements.
**Stakeholder: Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare Department (Implementing Agency)**
* **Impact:**
* Responsible for providing Aadhaar enrolment facilities.
* Responsible for implementing remedial mechanisms for authentication failures.
* Required to provide wide publicity about the new requirements through media.
* Need to adapt processes to accommodate Aadhaar authentication and alternative methods.
* **Action Required:**
* Establish Aadhaar enrolment facilities in areas without them.
* Implement Integrated Risk Information System scanners or face authentication devices.
* Provide Aadhaar One Time Password authentication options when possible.
* Arrange for Quick Response code readers.
* Follow the exception handling mechanism.
* Ensure the new requirements are widely publicized.
Key Entities Referenced
Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016: Central Act that mandates the use of Aadhaar for targeted delivery of financial and other subsidies, benefits and services.
Denotified Communities Welfare Board: Organization implementing welfare schemes for educational and economical advancement of Denotified communities in Tamil Nadu.
Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare Department: Department of Tamil Nadu Government administering scholarships and schemes for backward classes, most backward classes and minorities students.
Scheme: Scholarship given to every eligible Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and Denotified Communities students
Chennai: Location where the Gazette is published