## Report on Aadhaar-Based Direct Benefit Transfer for CSIR Fellowship Scheme
**1. Executive Summary:**
This report analyzes a notification from the Central Government regarding the use of Aadhaar for the delivery of benefits under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research's (CSIR) Doctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme. The notification mandates Aadhaar authentication for beneficiaries and outlines alternative identification methods and exception handling mechanisms to ensure no eligible individual is denied benefits. The core purpose of this policy is to streamline benefit delivery, enhance transparency, and ensure efficient disbursement through the Aadhaar-based Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system. This report details the policy's provisions, target audience, and potential impacts based solely on the provided text.
**2. Introduction:**
This report aims to provide a comprehensive overview of a government notification concerning the implementation of Aadhaar-based Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for the CSIR Doctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme. The analysis is based exclusively on the text of the provided notification.
**3. Policy Overview:**
* Core Objective(s) (as inferred from text):
* To simplify government delivery processes for services, benefits, and subsidies using Aadhaar.
* To bring transparency and efficiency to the delivery of benefits.
* To enable beneficiaries to receive entitlements directly and seamlessly, reducing the need for multiple identity documents.
**4. Background and Rationale:**
The notification addresses the need for a streamlined and transparent system for disbursing stipends to CSIR Fellows. The policy suggests that prior to this notification, the delivery process may have been inefficient or lacked transparency, potentially requiring beneficiaries to provide multiple documents to prove their identity. The shift to Aadhaar-based DBT is intended to remedy these issues.
**5. Key Provisions / Changes:**
This is a **New Policy** implementing Aadhaar-based DBT. The key provisions are:
* **Aadhaar Requirement:** Individuals eligible for benefits under the CSIR Fellowship Scheme are *required* to furnish proof of possession of their Aadhaar number or undergo Aadhaar authentication.
* **Aadhaar Enrollment Assistance:** Individuals not possessing an Aadhaar number are required to apply for Aadhaar enrollment *before* registering for the scheme, provided they are eligible to obtain Aadhaar. The Department is required to offer Aadhaar enrollment facilities.
* **Alternative Identification:** Until Aadhaar is assigned, beneficiaries can receive benefits by producing their Aadhaar Enrolment Identification slip *and* one of the following documents: Bank/Post Office Passbook with Photo, PAN Card, Passport, Ration Card, Voter ID Card, MGNREGA card, Kisan Photo passbook, Driving License, Certificate of Identity from a Gazetted Officer or Tehsildar, or any other document specified by the Department.
* **Authentication Failure Mechanisms:** In cases of failed Aadhaar authentication (due to poor biometrics or other reasons), the policy mandates alternative authentication methods, including IRIS scan, face authentication, Aadhaar One Time Password (OTP), or Time-based One-Time Password. If those are not possible, benefits can be given on the basis of physical Aadhaar letter whose authenticity can be verified through the Quick Response QR code.
* **Exception Handling:** The Department, through its Implementing Agency, must follow the exception handling mechanism as specified in the Office Memorandum of Direct Benefit Transfer Mission, Cabinet Secretariat, Government of India No. D 26011042017DBT, dated 19th December, 2017.
**6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:**
* **Direct Beneficiaries:** CSIR Doctoral and Postdoctoral Fellows receiving stipends under the National Science and Technology Human Resource Development Scheme.
* **Implementing Agency:** The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi, responsible for administering the scheme.
* **Department:** Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India
* **Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI):** Responsible for providing Aadhaar enrollment facilities.
**7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):**
* **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The CSIR, through its Implementing Agency, is responsible for implementing the Aadhaar-based DBT system, providing Aadhaar enrollment facilities, and ensuring wide publicity of the policy. The UIDAI is responsible for maintaining the Aadhaar database and providing enrollment services.
* **Timelines/Procedures:** The notification takes effect from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette. Procedures for Aadhaar enrollment and authentication are referenced, but not detailed within this text. The policy dictates that if there is no Aadhaar enrollment center located in the respective Block or Taluka or Tehsil, the Department through its Implementing Agency shall provide Aadhaar enrollment facilities at convenient locations in coordination with the existing Registrars of UIDAI or by becoming a UIDAI Register themselves.
**8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:**
* Improved efficiency and transparency in the disbursement of stipends to CSIR Fellows.
* Reduced instances of fraud and leakage due to enhanced identity verification.
* Seamless and convenient receipt of benefits for eligible individuals.
* Greater financial inclusion of beneficiaries through the DBT system.
* Reduced administrative burden by reducing the need to collect and verify multiple documents.
**9. Conclusion:**
The notification represents a significant step towards integrating the CSIR Fellowship Scheme with the national Aadhaar-based DBT system. By mandating Aadhaar authentication and providing alternative identification mechanisms, the policy aims to streamline the benefit delivery process, enhance transparency, and ensure that all eligible beneficiaries receive their entitlements efficiently. The success of this policy will depend on effective implementation, including the provision of adequate Aadhaar enrollment facilities and robust exception handling mechanisms. The industry serving this fellowship scheme should note that the scheme is likely to require the fellows to produce Aadhaar card or a valid alternative to the implementing agencies.
Key Entities Referenced
INDIA: Country
NEW DELHI: Capital of India, place of publication
MAY 5, 2025: Date of publication of the Gazette
VAISAKHA 15, 1947: Date in the Indian national calendar
THE GAZETTE OF INDIA: Official government publication
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research: An organization administering the Doctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme
Department of Scientific and Industrial Research: Department within the Ministry of Science and Technology
Ministry of Science and Technology: Government ministry overseeing the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research
Government of India: The governing body of India
Doctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme: A scheme administered by the Department, also referred to as the Scheme
National Science and Technology Human Resource Development Scheme: The scheme under which the Doctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowship is organised
Implementing Agency: The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research New Delhi, responsible for implementing the Scheme
Consolidated Fund of India: Government fund from which expenditures are made
Section 7 of the Aadhaar Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services Act, 2016: Legal basis for the notification
Aadhaar: A 12-digit individual identification number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India
Unique Identification Authority of India: Authority responsible for Aadhaar enrolment
UIDAI: Abbreviation for Unique Identification Authority of India
Aadhaar Enrolment and Update Regulations, 2016: Regulations governing Aadhaar enrolment
Registrars of UIDAI: Entities working with UIDAI for Aadhaar enrolment
Bank: Financial Institution
Post Office: Financial institution
Permanent Account Number: PAN Card, Tax Identification
Passport: Travel Document
Ration Card: Document used for entitlement to subsidized food
Voter Identity Card: Electoral ID
MGNREGA: Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act
Motor Vehicles Act, 1988: Law governing motor vehicles
Gazetted Officer: Government Officer
Tehsildar: Revenue Officer
Direct Benefit Transfer Mission, Cabinet Secretariat: Mission and Secretariat related to direct benefit transfer
Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi110064: The location of the press where the document was printed.
Controller of Publications, Delhi110054: The organization and location responsible for publishing the document
MAHENDRA KUMAR GUPTA: Jt. Secy.
Aadhaar Enrolment Identification slip: Document provided after aadhaar enrolement
Office Memorandum of Direct Benefit Transfer Mission, Cabinet Secretariat, Government of India No. D 26011042017DBT: Office memorandum related to direct benefit transfer
रजिस्ट्री स.ं डी.एल.- 33004/99 REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99
सी.जी.-डी.एल.-अ.-13052025-263054
xxxGIDHxxx
CG-DL-E-13052025-263054
xxxGIDExxx
असाधारण
EXTRAORDINARY
भाग III—खण् ड 4
PART III—Section 4
प्राजधकार स ेप्रकाजित
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
स.ं 337] िई ददल्ली, सोमवार, मई 5, 2025/वैिाख 15, 1947
No. 337] NEW DELHI, MONDAY, MAY 5, 2025/VAISAKHA 15, 1947
वज्ञै ाजिक तथा औद्योजगक अिसु धं ाि पररषद, िई ददल्ली
िई ददल्ली, 17 मार्,च 2025
ि.ं01/Aadhaar/DBT/2020-EMR-1.—िबदक, आधार का उपयोग सेवाओं या लाभों या सजससडी के
जवतरण के जलए एक पहर्ाि दस्ट्तावेि के रूप में सरकारी जवतरण प्रदियाओं को सरल बिाता है, पारदर्िचता और दक्षता
लाता ह ै और दकसी की पहर्ाि साजबत करिे के जलए कई दस्ट्तावेिों को प्रस्ट्तुत करि े की आवश्यकता को समाप्त करके
लाभार्थचयों को उिके अजधकारों को सुजवधाििक और जिबाचध रूप से प्राप्त करिे म ेंसक्षम बिाता ह।ै
और िबदक , वैज्ञाजिक तथा औद्योजगक अिुसंधाि पररषद, वैज्ञाजिक और औद्योजगक अिुसंधाि जवभाग , जवज्ञाि
और प्रौद्योजगकी मंत्रालय, भारत सरकार ( इसके बाद जवभाग के रूप में संदर्भचत ), अपिी राष्ट्रीय जवज्ञाि और प्रौद्योजगकी
मािव संसाधि जवकास स्ट्कीम (इसके बाद योििा के रूप म ें सन्दर्भचत) के अधीि डॉक्टोरल और पोस्ट्टडॉक्टोरल फैलोजिप
योििा का संर्ालि कर रहा है, जिसे वैज्ञाजिक तथा औद्योजगक अिुसंधाि पररषद िई ददल्ली (इसके बाद कायाचन्वयि
एिेंसी के रूप में संदर्भचत) के माध्यम से कायाचजन्वत दकया िा रहा है;
और िबदक ,इस योििा के अधीि, कायाचन्वयि एिेंसी द्वारा वैज्ञाजिक तथा औद्योजगक अिुसंधाि पररषद के
ररसर्च अध्येताओं (फैलोि) (इसके बाद लाभाथी के रूप म ें सन्दर्भचत ) को वतचमाि स्ट्कीम ददिा जिदिे ों के अिुसार माजसक
वृजि (इसके बाद लाभ के रूप में सन्दर्भचत ) दी िाती ह;ै
और िबदक , पूवोक्त योििा म ेंभारत की समेदकत जिजध से दकया गया आवती व्यय िाजमल ह;ै
अतः अब, आधार (जविीय और अन्य सजससडी ,लाभ और सेवाओं का लजक्षत जवतरण) अजधजियम, 2016 (2016
का 18) ( इसके बाद उक्त अजधजियम के रूप में सन्दर्भचत) की धारा 7 के अिुसरण म ें केंद्र सरकार एतदद्वारा जिम्नजलजखत
को अजधसूजर्त करती ह,ै अथाचत;्
2955 GI/2025 (1)2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART III—SEC.4]
1. (1) योििा के अधीि लाभ प्राप्त करिे के जलए पात्र व्यजक्त को आधार संख्या होि े का प्रमाण प्रस्ट्तुत करिा होगा
या आधार प्रमाणीकरण स ेगुिरिा होगा।
(2) योििा के अधीि लाभ प्राप्त करिे के इच्छुक व्यजक्त, जििके पास आधार संख्या िहीं ह ै या आधार के जलए अभी तक
िामांदकत िहीं ह,ै को योििा के जलए पंिीकरण करिे स े पहले आधार िामांकि के जलए आवेदि करिा होगा बित े दक वह
उक्त अजधजियम की धारा 3 के अिुसार आधार प्राप्त करिे का हकदार है, और ऐसे व्यजक्त आधार के जलए िामांकि करािे के
जलए दकसी भी आधार िामांकि केंद्र (भारतीय जवजिष्ट पहर्ाि प्राजधकरण (यआू ईडीएआई) की वेबसाइट
(www.uidai.gov.in) पर सूर्ी उपलसध) पर िा सकते ह।ैं
(3) आधार (िामांकि और अद्यति) जवजियम, 2016 के जवजियम 12 के अिुसार, जवभाग से अपिी कायाचन्वयि एिेंसी के
माध्यम से उि लाभार्थचयों के जलए आधार िामांकि सुजवधाएं प्रदाि करिा अपेजक्षत ह ै िो अभी तक आधार के जलए
िामांदकत िहीं ह ैं और यदद सबं ंजधत सलॉक या तालुका या तहसील में आधार िामांकि केंद्र िहीं ह ै तो जवभाग अपिी
कायाचन्वयि एिेंसी के माध्यम से यआू ईडीएआई के मौिूदा रजिस्ट्रार के साथ समन्वय करके या स्ट्वयं यआू ईडीएआई
रजिस्ट्रार बिकर सुजवधाििक स्ट्थािों पर आधार िामांकि की सुजवधाएं प्रदाि करेगा:
बिते दक,आधार सख्ं या प्राप्त होिे तक ऐस े व्यजक्त को जिम्नजलजखत दस्ट्तावेिों के प्रस्ट्तुत करि े पर ही योििा के अधीि लाभ
ददया िाएगा, अथाचत;्
(क) यदद उसिे िामांकि दकया ह,ै तो उसकी आधार िामांकि पहर्ाि पर्ी; और
(ख) जिम्नजलजखत दस्ट्तावेिों में से कोई एक, अथातच ्:
(i) बैंक या पोस्ट्ट ऑदफस की फोटो वाली पास बुक; या
(ii) स्ट्थायी खाता संख्या (पैि) काड;च या
(iii) पासपोटच; या
(iv) रािि काड;च या
(v) मतदाता पहर्ाि पत्र; या
(vi) मिरेगा काडच, या
(vii) दकसाि फोटो पासबुक; या
(viii) मोटर वाहि अजधजियम 1988 (1988 का 59); के अधीि लाइसेंससंग प्राजधकरण द्वारा िारी ड्राइसवंग लाइसेंस,
या
(ix) आजधकाररक लेटरहडे पर रािपजत्रत अजधकारी या तहसीलदार द्वारा िारी ऐसे व्यजक्त की फोटो वाले पहर्ाि का
प्रमाण पत्र; या
(x) जवभाग द्वारा जवजिर्दचष्ट कोई अन्य दस्ट्तावेि।
परन्तु यह और दक उपयुचक्त दस्ट्तावेिों की िांर् कायाचन्वयि एिेंसी द्वारा जविेष रूप से उस उद्दश्े य के जलए िाजमत
अजधकारी द्वारा की िाएगी।
2. इस योििा के अधीि लाभार्थचयों को सुगमता पूवचक लाभ प्रदाि करिे हते ु जवभाग अपिी कायाचन्वयि एिेंसी के माध्यम
से यह सुजिजित करिे के जलए सभी आवश्यक व्यवस्ट्थाएँ करेगा दक इस योििा के तहत लाभार्थचयों को आधार की
आवश्यकता के बारे म ेंिागरूक करि े के जलए मीजडया के माध्यम से व्यापक प्रर्ार दकया िाए।
3. सभी मामलों म,ें िहां लाभार्थचयों के खराब बायोमेररक्स के कारण या दकसी अन्य कारण से आधार प्रमाणीकरण िहीं हो
पाता ह ैतो, जिम्नजलजखत उपर्ारात्मक प्रदिया अपिायी िाएगी, अथाचत्: -
(क) खराब फफंगरसप्रंट गुणविा के मामले में, प्रमाणीकरण के जलए आईररस स्ट्कैि या फेस ऑथेंरटकेिि सुजवधा को
अपिाया िाएगा, अत: जवभाग अपिी कायाचन्वयि एिेंसी के माध्यम स े फफंगरसप्रंट प्रमाणीकरण के साथ-साथ आईररस
स्ट्कैिर या फेस ऑथेंरटकेिि का प्रावधाि कराएगा तादक लाभ जिबाचध रूप से ददया िा सके।
(ख) फफंगरसप्रंट या आईररस स्ट्कैि या फेसऑथेंरटकेिि के माध्यम से बायोमेररक प्रमाणीकरण सफल ि होि े की जस्ट्थजत में,
िहां भी संभव और अिुमेय हो, आधार द्वारा वि टाइम पासवडच या सीजमत समय वैधता के साथ टाइम-आधाररत वि-
टाइम पासवडच, िैसा भी मामला हो, द्वारा प्रमाणीकरण का प्रावधाि होगा।[भाग III—खण् ड 4] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 3
(ग) अन्य सभी मामलों में, िहां बायोमेररक या आधार वि टाइम पासवडच या टाइम आधाररत वि टाइम पासवड च
प्रमाणीकरण संभव िहीं ह,ै योििा के अधीि मलू आधार पत्र जिसकी प्रामाजणकता आधार पत्र पर मुदद्रत दिक ररस्ट्पॉसँ
(क्य ू आर) कोड के माध्यम स े सत्याजपत की िा सकती ह ै के आधार पर लाभ ददया िा सकता है, और क्य ू आर कोड रीडर
की आवश्यक व्यवस्ट्था जवभाग द्वारा अपिी कायाचन्वयि एिसें ी के माध्यम स े सुजवधाििक स्ट्थािों पर उपलसध कराई
िाएगी।
4. यह सुजिजित करिे के जलए दक इस योििा के अधीि कोई भी वास्ट्तजवक लाभाथी अपिे देय लाभों से वंजर्त िहीं है,
जवभाग अपिी कायाचन्वयि एिसें ी के माध्यम से डीबीटी जमिि, कैजबिेट सजर्वालय, भारत सरकार के ददिांक 19 ददसंबर
2017 के कायाचलय ज्ञापि सख्ं या D-26011/04/2017-DBT में यथा जवजिर्दचष्ट अपवाद प्रबंधि प्रदिया का पालि करेगा।
(http://dbtbharat.gov.in/ पर उपलस ध)
5. यह अजधसूर्िा सभी राज्यों और केंद्र िाजसत प्रदेिों म ेंरािपत्र में इसके प्रकािि की तारीख से प्रभावी होगी ।
महन्े द्र कुमार गुप्ता, संयुक्त सजर्व
[जवज्ञापि-III/4/असा./69/2025-26]
COUNCIL OF SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH, NEW DELHI
New Delhi, the 17th March, 2025
No.01/Aadhaar/DBT/2020-EMR-1.—WHEREAS, the use of Aadhaar as an identity document for delivery
of services or benefits or subsidies simplifies the Government delivery processes, brings in transparency and
efficiency, and enables beneficiaries to get their entitlements directly in a convenient and seamless manner by
obviating the need to produce multiple documents to prove one's identity;
AND WHEREAS, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Department of Scientific and Industrial
Research, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India (hereinafter referred to as the Department), is
administering the Doctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme under its National Science and Technology Human
Resource Development Scheme (hereinafter referred to as the Scheme), which is being implemented through the
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research New Delhi (hereinafter referred to as the Implementing Agency);
AND WHEREAS, under the Scheme, the monthly stipend (hereinafter referred to as the benefit) is given to
the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Fellows (hereinafter referred to as the beneficiaries) by the
Implementing Agency as per the extant Scheme guidelines;
AND WHEREAS, the aforesaid Scheme involves recurring expenditure incurred from the Consolidated Fund
of India;
NOW, THEREFORE, in pursuance of Section 7 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) the Central
Government hereby notifies the following, namely;
1. (1) An individual eligible for receiving the benefits under the Scheme shall be required to furnish proof of
possession of the Aadhaar number or undergo Aadhaar authentication.
(2) An individual desirous of availing benefits under the Scheme, who does not possess the Aadhaar
number or, has not yet enrolled for Aadhaar, shall be required to make an application for Aadhaar
enrolment before registering for the Scheme provided that he is entitled to obtain Aadhaar as per
Section 3 of the said Act, and such individuals may visit any Aadhaar enrolment centre (list available at
the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) (website www.uidai.gov.in) to get enrolled for
Aadhaar.
(3) As per regulation 12 of the Aadhaar (Enrolment and Update) Regulations, 2016, the Department
through its Implementing Agency is required to offer Aadhaar enrolment facilities for the beneficiaries
who are not yet enrolled for Aadhaar and in case there is no Aadhaar enrolment centre located in the
respective Block or Taluka or Tehsil, the Department through its Implementing Agency shall provide
Aadhaar enrolment facilities at convenient locations in coordination with the existing Registrars of
UIDAI or by becoming a UIDAI Register themselves:
Provided that till the time Aadhaar is assigned to the individual, benefits under the Scheme shall be given to
such individual, subject to the production of the following documents, namely;
(a) If he has enrolled, his Aadhaar Enrolment Identification slip; and4 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART III—SEC.4]
(b) Any one of the following documents, namely:
(i) Bank or Post Office Passbook with Photo; or
(ii) Permanent Account Number (PAN) Card; or
(iii) Passport; or
(iv) Ration Card; or
(v) Voter Identity Card; or
(vi) MGNREGA card, or
(vii) Kisan Photo passbook; or
(viii) Driving license issued by the Licensing Authority under the Motor Vehicles Act,
1988 (59 of 1988); or
(ix) Certificate of identity having photo of such person issued by a Gazetted Officer or
Tehsildar on an official letter head; or
(x) any other document as specified by the Department:
Provided further that the above documents shall be checked by an officer specifically designated by the
Implementing Agency for that purpose.
2. In order to provide benefits to the beneficiaries under the Scheme conveniently, the Department through its
Implementing Agency shall make all the required arrangements to ensure that wide publicity through the media
shall be given to the beneficiaries to make them aware of the requirement of Aadhaar under the scheme.
3. In all cases, where Aadhaar authentication fails due to poor biometrics of the beneficiaries or due to any other
reason, the following remedial mechanisms shall be adopted, namely:
(a) in case of poor fingerprint quality, IRIS scan or face authentication facility shall be adopted for
authentication, thereby the Department through its Implementing Agency shall make provisions for IRIS
scanners or face authentication along with finger-print authentication for delivery of benefits in seamless
manner;
(b) in case the biometric authentication through fingerprints or IRIS scan or face authentication is not
successful, wherever feasible and admissible authentication by Aadhaar One Time Password or Time-based
One-Time Password with limited time validity, as the case may be, shall be offered;
(c) in all other cases where biometric or Aadhaar One Time Password or Time-based One-Time Password
authentication is not possible, benefits under the Scheme may be given on the basis of physical Aadhaar letter
whose authenticity can be verified through the Quick Response (QR) code printed on the Aadhaar letter and
the necessary arrangement of QR code reader shall be provided at convenient locations by the Department
through its Implementing Agency.
4. In order to ensure that no bona fide beneficiary under the Scheme is deprived of his due benefits, the Department
through its Implementing Agency shall follow the exception handling mechanism as specified in the Office
Memorandum of Direct Benefit Transfer Mission, Cabinet Secretariat, Government of India No. D-
26011/04/2017-DBT, dated 19th December, 2017. (Available on http://dbtbharat.gov.in/)
5. This notification shall come into effect from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette in all States and
Union Territories.
MAHENDRA KUMAR GUPTA, Jt. Secy.
[ADVT.-III/4/Exty./69/2025-26]
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.