(1) The Central Government may allow Aadhaar authentication by requesting entities 2 [*], namely:—
(a) usage of digital platforms to ensure good governance;
3 [(aa) promoting ease of living of residents and enabling better access to services for them;]
(b) prevention of dissipation of social welfare benefits; and
(c) enablement of innovation and the spread of knowledge.
(2) Aadhaar authentication under sub-rule (1) shall be on a voluntary basis.
4 [4. Preparation of the proposal.—(1) The Ministry or the Department of the Central Government or a State Government, as the case may be, desirous of utilising Aadhaar authentication for a purpose specified in rule 3 shall prepare a proposal with justification in regard to such purpose for which Aadhaar authentication is sought and submit the same to the Central Government for making a reference to the Authority.
1 Published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part III, Section 4, vide Notification No. G.S.R.490(E), dated
5.8.2020 and amended vide Notification No. G.S.R. 88(E), dated 31.1.2025 (w.e.f. 31.1.2025).
2 Words “in the interest of good governance, preventing leakage of public funds, promoting ease of living of residents and enabling better access to services for them” omitted vide Notification No. G.S.R.88(E), dated
31.1.2025 (w.e.f. 31.1.2025).
3 Inserted vide Notification No. G.S.R. 88(E), dated 31.1.2025 (w.e.f. 31.1.2025).
4 Subs. vide Notification No. G.S.R. 88(E), dated 31.1.2025 (w.e.f. 31.1.2025).
(2) Any entity other than the Ministry or Department referred to in sub-rule (1), which is desirous of utilising Aadhaar authentication, shall prepare a proposal with justification in regard to the authentication sought being for a purpose specified in rule 3 and in the interest of State, and submit the same to the concerned Ministry or Department of the appropriate Government.
(3) If the Ministry or Department referred to in sub-rule (2) is of the opinion that the proposal submitted thereunder fulfils a purpose specified in rule 3 and is in the interest of State, it shall forward the proposal, along with its recommendations, to the Central Government, for making a reference to the Authority.
Explanation.—In this rule, “concerned Ministry or Department of the appropriate Government” means such Ministry or Department of the appropriate Government in which business related to that purpose is transacted under the rules of business made under article 77 or 166 of the Constitution, as the case may be.]
5 [5. Examination of proposal.—On receipt of the proposal under rule 4, if the Authority is satisfied that the proposal is in accordance with the purposes mentioned in rule 3 and the provisions of the Act, it shall inform the Central Government that the requesting entity may be allowed to perform Aadhaar authentication and thereafter, the Ministry or the Department of the Central Government or a State Government, as the case may be, may be authorised by the Central Government to notify the same accordingly.]
5 Subs. vide Notification No. G.S.R. 88(E), dated 31.1.2025 (w.e.f. 31.1.2025).