UIDAI made mandatory for students seeking Central Sector scholarship, must apply for Aadhaar by June 30

To avail benefit under the Central Sector Scholarship Scheme for College and University students, applicants will now have to furnish proof of possession of Aadhaar card or undergo Aadhaar authentication, the HRD ministry has said.

Those who are receiving these scholarships but don't have an Aadhaar card will have to apply for enrolment by June 30th, an HRD ministry notification states.

It is, however, not applicable in Jammu and Kashmir.

As per another notification issued by the ministry, children who wish to avail the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme shall also apply for Aadhaar by June 30, though it exempts the states of J&K, Assam and Meghalaya.

According to officials, the move brings in transparency and enables beneficiaries get entitlements directly to them in a convenient and seamless manner and Aadhaar obviates the need for producing multiple documents to prove identity.

However, till the time Aadhaar is assigned to the students, they may get scholarships on the basis of documents like Aadhaar Enrolment ID slip, Aadhaar enrolment application, the voter identity card, PAN card etc.

Similar provisions have also been made in the notification related to the Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme for school children.

This notification shall come into effect from the date of its publication in all states except Jammu and Kashmir.