PM CARES for Children: Aadhaar made mandatory for scholarship
Why in the news
On 17 October 2026 it was reported that the Centre has notified Aadhaar authentication, or proof of holding an Aadhaar number, as a condition for scholarship benefits under the PM CARES for Children Scheme.
Key facts
- Notifying ministry: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
- Scheme covered: the Special Scholarship Scheme under PM CARES for Children, which funds schooling from Class 1 to Class 12.
- Safeguard: no child will be refused assistance because Aadhaar authentication fails or no Aadhaar number exists; identity and the parent or guardian link are then checked through listed documents.
- Under 18 without Aadhaar: an enrolment acknowledgement carrying the Enrolment ID, along with an age proof such as a birth certificate, Indian passport, or Class 10 or 12 certificate or marks statement.
- 18 and above without Aadhaar: documents such as the Election Commission voter ID, driving licence, Indian passport or ration card.
- Fallback: where authentication fails, biometric or OTP verification may be used where feasible.
About PM CARES for Children
- Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 29 May 2021; nodal ministry is the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
- Meant for children under 18 who lost both parents, a surviving parent, or a legal guardian to COVID-19.
- Benefits include a ₹10 lakh corpus maturing at 18, a monthly stipend from 18 to 23, health cover of ₹5 lakh a year under AB-PMJAY, and a scholarship of ₹20,000 per year for Classes 1 to 12.
- Portal: pmcaresforchildren.in.
Exam angle
- Note the two ministries: Social Justice and Empowerment issued the Aadhaar notification, while Women and Child Development is the scheme’s nodal ministry.
- Remember the launch date (29 May 2021) and the ₹10 lakh corpus.
- Aadhaar-linked delivery with alternative documents is a recurring theme in welfare schemes.