The Energy Department, Government of Bihar, on September 24, 2026, notified requirements under Section 7 of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016 for beneficiaries receiving electricity subsidy under the State Government scheme administered pursuant to Section 65 of the Electricity Act, 2003. Eligible electricity consumers are required to undergo Aadhaar authentication or furnish proof of possession of an Aadhaar number for availing the benefit.
For beneficiaries who have not yet been assigned an Aadhaar number, an application for enrolment is required. Until an Aadhaar number is assigned, beneficiaries aged 18 years or above may establish identity using their enrolment acknowledgement containing the EID along with specified identity documents, including Voter ID, ration card, eligible caste/domicile certificate, Indian passport, recognised educational certificates, driving licence, specified government identity cards and disability/UDID card. The Energy Department is also required to facilitate Aadhaar enrolment/update and verify the enrolment status and supporting documents.
The notification provides alternative authentication mechanisms where biometric authentication fails, including another biometric mode or OTP, wherever feasible. Where biometric/OTP authentication is not possible, benefits may be provided after offline verification of the Aadhaar QR Code or Aadhaar Paperless Offline e-KYC document. The Energy Department must also implement the prescribed exception-handling mechanism so that genuine beneficiaries are not deprived of benefits due to authentication issues and undertake publicity regarding the Aadhaar requirement. The notification is effective from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
[Notification No. 71/2026/21]
