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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Children covered by the PM CARES for Children scholarship do not lose the benefit solely because an Aadhaar number has not yet been assigned. A 14 October 2026 Gazette notification, S.O. 5628(E), makes Aadhaar authentication, proof that Aadhaar is held, or an Aadhaar-enrolment application part of the identity conditions for the scholarship. It also sets out substitute documents that can be used while enrolment is pending.
What the 14 October notification changes
Issued by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment under section 7 of the Aadhaar Act, S.O. 5628(E) applies to the Special Scholarship Scheme under PM CARES for Children. The identity requirement can be met in one of three ways: Aadhaar authentication, proof of possession of an Aadhaar number, or proof that the child has applied for Aadhaar enrolment.
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The practical effect is that an Aadhaar-less child must begin the enrolment process, but need not wait for the number to be generated before establishing identity for the scholarship. The notification’s interim rule says: “Provided that till such time an Aadhaar number is assigned to such beneficiary, he may establish his identity to avail the said benefit, by presenting the following documents…”
Documents required when a child has no Aadhaar number
A beneficiary below 18 who has not been assigned an Aadhaar number must apply for enrolment. Until the number is assigned, the child must present the following evidence.
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1. Aadhaar enrolment acknowledgement
The acknowledgement issued by the enrolment centre must show the Enrolment ID (EID). Keep the original acknowledgement and copies, because the EID is the proof that the application has been submitted.
2. Proof that the child is below 18
One accepted age document is required. The notification lists these examples:
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- Birth certificate
- Indian passport
- Matriculation, Class 10 or Class 12 certificate from a recognised board
- For a child living in a registered child-care institution, a certificate issued by the institution’s authorised officer
3. Photograph-bearing proof of relationship or legal authority
A separate document must establish the relationship with the parent or legal guardian. Listed options include a ration card; qualifying caste or domicile certificate; specified government medical or insurance identity card; Indian passport; a recognised-board marks certificate; a certificate from the registered child-care institution; or a legal-guardianship or adoption document issued by the competent authority.
The notification also provides a separate document list for foreign-national beneficiaries. Those cases should be checked against the exact category and documents specified in the notification rather than substituted with an unrelated identity paper.
What officials must do to help with enrolment
The Department must arrange or facilitate Aadhaar enrolment and updates for beneficiaries. It can do this through Registrars, convenient enrolment centres or other appropriate measures. Families and institutions should ask the district authorities handling the PM CARES beneficiary record where the designated enrolment facility is located and retain the EID acknowledgement after the visit.
Scholarship amount and payment method
The school scholarship is ₹20,000 per child per annum. The Ministry of Women and Child Development describes the amount as a ₹1,000 monthly allowance plus an ₹8,000 annual academic allowance.
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| Component | Amount | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly allowance | ₹1,000 | Monthly |
| Academic allowance | ₹8,000 | Annual |
| Total scholarship | ₹20,000 | Per child per annum |
The benefit is for eligible children in Classes 1 through 12 and is normally transferred by direct benefit transfer (DBT) to an Aadhaar-linked bank account. Where Aadhaar enrolment is still pending, the notification’s alternative identity route allows the beneficiary to establish identity with the EID and the specified age and relationship documents; payment handling should be confirmed with the district authority managing the case.
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| Situation | Identity evidence | Additional evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Aadhaar already assigned | Aadhaar authentication or proof of possession | Normal scholarship and bank-account checks |
| Enrolment pending | Enrolment-centre acknowledgement with EID | One below-18 document and one photograph-bearing relationship or guardianship document |
| Child in registered child-care institution | EID, if Aadhaar is pending | Authorised officer’s age certificate and the institution’s listed relationship certificate may be used where applicable |
| Foreign-national beneficiary | As specified for the foreign-national category | Use the notification’s separate document list |
Who is covered by PM CARES for Children
The wider scheme supports children who lost both parents, a surviving parent, a legal guardian or adoptive parents to the COVID-19 pandemic during the scheme’s specified eligibility period. The official FAQ says eligible children were enrolled from 29 May 2021 and that support continues until every identified beneficiary turns 23.
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The scheme operates in every district across all States and Union Territories. A child must still satisfy the scheme’s underlying eligibility and schooling conditions; the new notification deals with proving identity for the scholarship, not with expanding the beneficiary definition.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Published beneficiary totals
Department of Social Justice and Empowerment reports show the following beneficiary counts:
| Financial year | Published beneficiaries |
|---|---|
| 2022–23 | 3,847 |
| 2023–24 | 3,676 |
| 2024–25 | 3,383 |
| 2025–26 | 2,855 |
These published totals decrease each year, but the figures alone do not explain whether the change reflects beneficiary transitions, updated records, or other administrative factors.
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- Check whether the child already has an Aadhaar number and whether the bank account used for DBT is linked as required.
- If no number has been assigned, apply at an Aadhaar enrolment centre and obtain the acknowledgement showing the EID.
- Collect one accepted document proving the child is below 18.
- Collect one photograph-bearing document proving the relationship with the parent or legal guardian, or the applicable guardianship, adoption or institutional authority.
- Submit the set through the district or scheme office handling the PM CARES record and ask how the pending-enrolment case will be recorded for DBT.
- After Aadhaar is assigned, provide the number through the authorised process and complete any requested authentication or bank-account update.
An enrolment slip is therefore not a replacement for Aadhaar forever: it is the notification’s interim identity route until an Aadhaar number is assigned. Keeping every acknowledgement and submission receipt helps resolve delays or mismatched records.
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