To allow Bharatiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Limited (BBSSL) to perform Aadhaar authentication and to use Aadhaar number during authentication for establishing the identity of Aadhaar number holder.
The Gazette of India
CG-DL-E-19102026-277276
EXTRAORDINARY
PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (ii)
No. 5457] NEW DELHI, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2026/ASVINA 24, 1948
MINISTRY OF COOPERATION
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 16th October, 2026
S.O. 5674(E).— Whereas the use of Aadhaar number to establish identity enables individuals to receive subsidies, benefits and services in a convenient and seamless manner, obviates the need for multiplicity of documents to establish identity, simplifies processes and promotes transparency and efficiency;
And whereas, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India, after consultation with the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), had authorised vide its letter number 13(9)/2023-EG-II dated the 24th April 2026, the Ministry of Cooperation, to allow Bharatiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Limited (BBSSL) (hereinafter referred to as the said Agency) for the purposes specified under subrule (1) of rule 3 of the Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance (Social Welfare, Innovation, Knowledge) Rules, 2020 (hereinafter referred to as the said rules) to perform Aadhaar authentication and to use Aadhaar number during authentication for establishing the identity of Aadhaar number holder and notify the same under rule 5 of the said rules read with sub-clause (ii) of clause (b) of sub-section (4) of section 4 of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016 (hereinafter referred to as the Act);
And whereas, the Aadhaar authentication shall be performed for usage of digital platforms to ensure good governance (hereinafter referred to as the said purpose) as specified under sub-rule (1) of rule 3 of the said rules and the performance of Aadhaar authentication for the said purpose shall be on voluntary basis and that the said Agency shall perform the Aadhaar authentication only for verifying the identity of farmers during registration and approval in BBSSL’s digital platform to ensure only genuine farmers participate in procurement and distribution of seed in its portal (hereinafter referred to as the use case).
Now, therefore, in pursuance of rule 5 of the said rules read with sub-clause (ii) of clause (b) of subsection (4) of section 4 of the Act, the said Ministry hereby notifies the following, namely: —
1. (1) The said Agency, as provided in the Act, shall obtain the consent of the Aadhaar number holder for the purpose of authentication herein. (2) As per sub-rule (2) of rule 3 of the said rules, the Aadhaar authentication is on voluntary basis, the said Ministry shall inform to the Aadhaar number holder of alternate and viable means of identification and shall not deny any service to the Aadhaar number holder for refusing to, or being unable to, undergo Aadhaar authentication, namely: — (a) Permanent Account Number (PAN) Card; (b) Voter Identity Card
2. This notification shall come into force on the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
[F. No. 20-MoC/107/2025-MoC (123945)]
RAMAN KUMAR, Jt. Secy.
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