Ministry : Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (Not Applicable)

Part II-Section 3-Sub-Section (ii)

Subject : Extra Ordinary

Overview – Aadhaar Authentication for Renewable Energy Fellowship Schemes

This gazette notification (S.O. 901(E), dated 18 February 2026) mandates Aadhaar-based authentication for beneficiaries of the National Renewable Energy Fellowship Programme and National Solar Science Fellowship Programme. It stipulates that receipt of fellowship benefits requires Aadhaar authentication or enrolment, while also outlining fallback procedures when biometric or OTP-based authentication fails. The notification aligns with existing Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016 rules to ensure transparent, efficient, and secure delivery of subsidies and benefits.

Key Points

• Scheme scope: Applies to National Renewable Energy Fellowship Programme and National Solar Science Fellowship Programme administered by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
• Aadhaar mandate: Beneficiaries (scientists, research scholars, students) must undergo Aadhaar authentication or provide proof of Aadhaar number to avail fellowship benefits.
• Enrolment requirement: Individuals without an Aadhaar number must apply for enrolment; minors require parental/guardian consent.
• Alternative identity proof: If Aadhaar assignment is pending, beneficiaries may use documents such as birth certificates, passports, ration cards, caste certificates, educational marksheets, or other government-issued identity documents.
• Offline verification: In case biometric or OTP authentication fails, benefits may be granted via offline verification of UIDAI digital signature certificates or Aadhaar Paperless Offline e-KYC.
• Child protection: Benefits cannot be denied to children solely due to lack of Aadhaar; identity and relationship may be verified through parent/guardian documentation.
• Exception handling: Mechanism referenced from DBT Office Memorandum D-26011/04/2017 for bona fide beneficiaries aged 18+ who face delays.
• Effective date: Notification is effective from its date of publication in the official Gazette.

Summary

The notification enforces Aadhaar authentication as a condition for fellowship benefits under central renewable energy schemes, while providing clear, multi-layered provisions for identity verification and fallback options. By integrating Aadhaar-based disbursement mechanisms with documented exceptions for minors and authentication failures, the directive aims to reduce documentation burden, curb fraud, and ensure timely, transparent delivery of subsidies. Policy analysts and implementing agencies must align enrolment, authentication, and exception-handling procedures with this framework to maintain programme eligibility and operational continuity.