New Delhi, July 13: Aadhaar is a 12-digit unique identification number issued to Indian citizens by the central government. Aadhar is issued and managed by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). Over the last few months, Aadhar has become an important document. It has become mandatory for availing many services. Aadhar is issued after submission of biometric data and is used primarily in the verification processes.
Without Aadhaar, you can’t avail services like mobile connection, filing your tax returns or even for a midday meal at schools. As per the Supreme Court, the government cannot stop using Aadhaar identification for its non-welfare schemes like the opening of bank accounts, filing of tax returns, verification of new and existing mobile phone numbers and user credentials etc.
Here’s a list of the services that require your Aadhaar number
Income Tax returns– Aadhaar has been made mandatory to file Income Tax returns or applying for PAN. PAN also needs to be linked to Aadhaar.
The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojna– The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana for women below poverty line requires Aadhaar. To avail services under PMUJ, women need to submit detailed address, Jan Dhan bank account number and Aadhar number of all the members of their families.
Aadhaar for Sports Participants – The Union Sports Ministry and the School Games Federation of India made Aadhaar compulsory for sports participants to bring in transparency and avoid age fraud.
LPG and Kerosene subsidy- In order to eliminate corruption, the Supreme Court linked Aadhaar to the public distribution system (PDS) and LPG subsidy in 2015.
It is mandatory for Beedi/Iron Ore/limestone workers to have Aadhaar for availing house subsidy.
Supplementary nutrition program– The Ministry of Women and Child Development is implementing various schemes for welfare, development and protection of children. Aadhaar is compulsory for the supplementary nutrition program. (Also Read: Aadhaar can help you win prizes worth Rs 50,000)
Crop insurance benefit – The farmers have to get Aadhaar to avail crop insurance benefit. People eligible for subsidised foodgrains/cash subsidy will need an Aadhaar number to avail the benefit.
National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme– Central Government for the first time will provide financial incentives to the employers to engage actively in apprenticeship training. National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme need Aadhaar.
Janani Suraksha Yojana– is being implemented with the objective of reducing maternal and neo-natal mortality by promoting institutional delivery among the poor pregnant women. To avail, this benefit Aadhar is mandatory
Integrated Child Development Services – Aadhaar is compulsory to avail training under Integrated Child Development Services of the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
Grih Kalyan Kendra– The idea of setting up of Grih Kalyan Kendra was conceived by the Ministry of Home Affairs as a welfare scheme to help the needy employees, especially covering the women and children, belonging to lower income groups and their dependents. Aadhaar is compulsory to avail benefits under Grih Kalyan Kendra.
National Mission for Empowerment of Women: Aadhaar has been made mandatory for financial support under National Mission for Empowerment of Women.
Merit Scholarship: To avail Central scholarship and financial support given under National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship, the students need to have an Aadhar card.
E-panchayat training– is an e-Governance initiative for the rural sector providing comprehensive software solution attempting automation of Gram Panchayat functions. Aadhaar will be mandatory for e-panchayat training benefits.
Soil Health Card Scheme: Aadhaar is required for Soil Health Management Scheme and Soil Health Card Scheme.
National Creche Scheme– to provide a crèche facility to all children in the age group of 6 months to 3 years at the village level wherein supplementary nutritional food plus overall development is provided. Supplementary meals at creches require Aadhaar.
Maternity Benefits Programme (MBP)– The pregnant women and lactating mothers will receive Rs 6,000, Rs 5,000 of which will be given in three instalments. To avail this benefit Aadhaar is compulsory
Integrated Child Protection– Government had launched Integrated Child Protection to help secure the safety of children, with a special emphasis on children in need of care and protection, juveniles in conflict or contact with the law and other vulnerable children. This scheme makes Aadhaar mandatory.
Vocational training, loans– This scheme aims at providing financial support to students for pursuing employment oriented skill development courses with affordable terms and conditions. Aadhaar has been made mandatory to avail vocational training, loans, and other schemes.
National Social Assistance Program– Aadhaar will be a compulsory document to avail services under Research and Development in Water Sector and National Social Assistance Program.
Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana- Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana scheme is for the helping the poor by providing skill training. This also makes Aadhaar mandatory.
Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA)– is a programme for achievement of Universalization of Elementary Education (UEE) in a time bound manner. Under this scheme, India making free and compulsory Education to the Children of 6-14 years age group, a Fundamental Right. Aadhaar is mandatory for disabled children between 6-14 years of age who are eligible to avail benefits under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan.
IRCTC– Aadhaar has been made made an option while booking tickets on Indian Railways’ online ticket booking platform at IRCTC.
National Action Plan for Skill Training of Persons with Disabilities– The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has decided to contribute 100 crores to this initiative and support MSJE at every step. It is mandatory for the disabled students who want to take benefits of National Action Plan for Skill Training of Persons with Disabilities.
National Health Mission (NHM)- Aadhaar has also been made mandatory for availing benefits under National Health Mission by trained female community health activist ASHA or Accredited Social Health Activist.
Besides these, it is also now compulsory to link to your Aadhaar with your mobile phone number. Your Skype calls are also linked to Aadhaar.
