The Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Department, Govt. of Tamil Nadu on October 06, 2026, notified the mandatory Aadhaar Authentication for the Annan Seer Scheme.
The following has been stated:
• The notification mandates Aadhaar-based identification for eligible women seeking benefits under the Annan Seer Scheme, administered by the Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Department through the Directorate of Social Welfare. Under the scheme, eligible women residing in Tamil Nadu receive an 8-gram, 22-karat gold coin and a silk saree at the time of marriage, subject to the prescribed eligibility conditions. Beneficiaries are required to furnish proof of Aadhaar possession or undergo Aadhaar authentication. Women who do not possess Aadhaar shall apply for enrolment before registering for the scheme, provided they are entitled to obtain Aadhaar under the Act. T
• The Department and its implementing agency shall facilitate enrolment where centres are unavailable nearby. Until Aadhaar is assigned, benefits shall be provided against an Aadhaar enrolment slip or an accepted alternative identification document, such as a photo bank or post office passbook, PAN card, passport, ration card, voter ID, MGNREGA card, driving licence or other documents specified by the Department, subject to verification by a designated officer.
• The notification further requires the implementing agency to publicise Aadhaar requirements and provide convenient enrolment facilities. Where biometric authentication fails, alternative methods shall be adopted, including iris scanning or face authentication, Aadhaar OTP or time-based OTP authentication wherever feasible and permissible, or physical verification of the Aadhaar letter through its QR code where other authentication methods are unavailable.
• The Department shall also follow the exception-handling mechanism prescribed in the DBT Mission Office Memorandum dated December 19, 2017, to ensure that genuine beneficiaries are not denied their entitled benefits solely due to authentication difficulties.
• The notification comes into effect from October 06, 2026.
[Notification No. - G.O.Ms. No.29]
