Aadhar Card

Aadhaar Made Mandatory for 15 Government Schemes

Gone are the days when plastic cards accommodated a large portion of your wallet. Now, Aadhaar card completely substitutes all those cards leaving ample space for other important stuff as well. Issued by the UIDAI, Aadhaar, a 12-digit unique identification number is a must-have for every citizen in India. It serves as a valid proof of identity and residence for various government and social welfare schemes including availing pension schemes, passport in 10 days, LPG subsidies, etc. Listed below are 15 government based schemes wherein an Aadhaar is made mandatory.

Aadhaar Made Mandatory

  1. To verify electoral roll: – In order to eliminate multiple entries in the election, the Election Commission of India has tabled a statute according to which an elector has to furnish their Aadhaar card along with Voter ID card or the Elector’s Photo Identity Card to cast their vote.
  2. To open a bank account: – Quoting Aadhaar number is also mandatory while opening a bank account. In addition to this, any financial transaction made over and above 50,000/- will also require an Aadhaar card as a valid proof of address and identity. Existing bank account holders will have to go for Aadhaar seeding (linking Aadhaar with their bank account) before 31st March 2018 to avoid ceasing of their account.
  3. In provident fund: – PF or the provident fund is yet another important government-based scheme wherein furnishing Aadhaar card is a must. As a general rule, the Employees Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) provides a Universal Account Number (UAN) to each employee to facilitate a smooth transfer of funds when they change organization. By linking Aadhaar with this unique identification number provided by EPFO, an employee can easily transfer their PF fund in a savings account.
  4. To file ITR: – Aadhaar card is mandatory while filing an Income Tax Return (ITR) as well. For the past few years, the Income Tax has enabled the Aadhaar-based instrument to enable taxpayers to sign digitally and file Income Tax Return online. This financial year government has made mandatory for people to link Aadhaar with PAN to eliminate multiple usages of PAN. Also keeping more than one PAN is a criminal offense.
  5. For digital payments: – Aadhaar is also essential for digital payments that are completed through government enabled unified payment interface and the newly launched BHIM app support which facilitate Aadhaar-based financial transactions. In this context, IDFC Bank has introduced Aadhaar pay where account holder’s fingerprints are used to pay at the mercantile.
  6. In Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yogana: – Modi Govt. launched this flagship scheme to provide free LPG connection to families who are Below Poverty Line (BPL). To claim the benefit and to transfer subsidy to their account, a beneficiary will have to provide their Aadhaar card.
  7. In Direct Benefit Transfer: – It is the first major Aadhaar-based service which hands over the subsidy and the welfare amount directly to the beneficiary’s account instead of giving the amount via cheque or cash.
  8. In Scholarship Schemes: – Aadhaar is also required to claim pre-matric, post-matric, coaching facilities, overseas scholarship and all other allowances to those with disabilities such as tuition, transport maintenance, etc.
  9. In Saakshar Bharat Scheme: – Aadhaar is essential to avail the benefits of government’s Saakshar Bharat scheme that provides basic literacy for adult non-literates of 15 years and above along with the opportunity to get basic education via equivalency Program for classes – 3rd, 5th and 8th to neo-literates & school dropouts, plus remunerations of teachers & staff.
  10. Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan: – Under this initiative, the salary to teachers and staff will be distributed for imparting education to children aged between 6-14 years. As part of the Govt’s Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan children are provided with books and uniforms as well. Other prerequisites of the act are aimed at promoting education by opening new schools, expanding the existing institutions, providing toilets, drinking water and teachers training facility as well
  11. In National Health Mission: – Aadhaar is mandatory to avail monthly payment to medical, non-medical and paramedical staff that is on the contractual basis. Plus incentives and expenditures of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) are also included under this scheme after furnishing an Aadhaar card.
  12. In National Career Services: – This scheme includes training for unemployed, employment offices, career supervision and a stipend to trainees under the scheme of welfare for the SCs and STs.
  13. In Support of Educational Institutions/NGOs for Skill Development/Adult Education: – Aadhaar is required to avail scientific and intellectual knowledge for adult education. It also provides execution support to state resource centers, NGOs, educational institutions and skill training to adult (non and neo-literates) with the help of Jan Shikshan Sansthans of the district-level.
  14. In Swadhar Greh Scheme: – A government’s initiative that promotes cure of women who are victims of unfortunate circumstances, staff remuneration and facilities for women recipients.
  15. In Scheme of Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase and/or Fitting of Domestic Devices: – Travelling stipend, accommodation expense of disabled persons, and their attendants as per the standard.

These are quite a few significant schemes wherein furnishing Aadhaar card is a must. Some other schemes under this category include Pradhan Mantra Awas Yojana, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme, Emeritus Fellowship, National Research Professorship, and Post-Doctoral. Fellowship for Women, Pragati Scholarship for Girls Diploma Institutes, Artistes Pension Scheme and Welfare Fund, Production Grant, Financial assistance for the preservation and development of Himalayan Cultural Heritage for Himalaya, Maternity Benefit Programme to name a few.

Aadhaar, also known as the UID number, was rolled out to put an end to fake or multiple identities. Though people took time to understand the concept of Aadhaar card, it successfully made way to people’s lives and now serves as one of the valid address and identity proofs. It is India’s first card that includes a person’s biometric and demographic data such as fingerprint and iris scan that protects the confidentiality of the personal data. The purpose of Aadhaar card is to provide targeted delivery of services and subsidies to the citizens of India by providing each the Unique Identification Number (UID).