Click here to download
The Ministry of Defence has introduced new Aadhaar verification requirements for ex-servicemen and their eligible dependents seeking financial assistance through the Raksha Mantri Ex-Servicemen Welfare Fund (RMEWF).
The notification, S.O. 5483(E), dated 7 October 2026, establishes an identity-verification framework under Section 7 of the Aadhaar Act, 2016. It applies to financial assistance administered by the Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB).
Importantly, the government has also provided alternative verification procedures for beneficiaries who have not yet received Aadhaar or face biometric authentication difficulties.
What has changed under the RMEWF Aadhaar notification?
Under the revised framework, eligible beneficiaries seeking financial assistance must undergo Aadhaar authentication or provide proof of possessing an Aadhaar number.
The procedure depends on the applicant’s identification status.
| Beneficiary situation | Verification provision |
|---|---|
| Aadhaar already allotted | Authentication or proof of Aadhaar possession |
| Aadhaar not allotted | Apply for enrolment and submit prescribed documents |
| Biometric verification unsuccessful | Alternative biometric or OTP authentication |
| Biometric and OTP methods unavailable | Secure Aadhaar QR code or offline e-KYC |
| Dependent child without Aadhaar | Identity verification through prescribed documents and parental/guardian relationship proof |
The notification takes effect from its publication in the Official Gazette.
No Aadhaar number? These documents can help establish identity
An ex-serviceman or adult dependent who has not been allotted an Aadhaar number must apply for enrolment.
Until the number is issued, the beneficiary can establish identity by submitting an Aadhaar Enrolment ID (EID) acknowledgement and one prescribed photographic identification document.
The permitted documents include:
Voter Photo Identity Card
Indian Passport
Ration Card
Driving Licence issued in India
Government-issued serving or retired employee identity card
Government/PSU medical or insurance identity card
UDID Card or prescribed disability certificate
Other specified documents, including certain educational and guardianship records, may also be accepted under the notification.
The authorised KSB official must check the Aadhaar enrolment status and verify the supporting documents before accepting them for identity verification.
These provisions allow eligible applicants to establish their identity while Aadhaar allotment is pending. They do not remove the requirement to apply for enrolment.
What happens when biometric authentication fails?
For elderly ex-servicemen, biometric verification can be difficult when fingerprints are unclear or other biometric information cannot be authenticated.
The Ministry of Defence has prescribed alternative verification methods for such situations.
If one biometric method fails, another method or OTP-based authentication must be offered wherever feasible and permitted.
Where neither biometric nor OTP authentication is possible, the applicant may be verified through:
1. Aadhaar Secure QR Code: Offline verification using the QR code available on an Aadhaar card, Aadhaar letter or e-Aadhaar.
2. Aadhaar Paperless Offline e-KYC: Verification of the electronically generated document through the prescribed UIDAI digital-signature process.
These alternatives provide additional ways to verify the identity of genuine beneficiaries without relying exclusively on fingerprints or iris scans.
What protection is available for dependent children?
The notification contains specific safeguards for beneficiaries below 18 years of age.
A child’s Aadhaar enrolment requires the consent of a parent or legal guardian.
If Aadhaar has not been allotted, the prescribed procedure includes an enrolment acknowledgement, proof of age and documentation establishing the relationship with the parent or guardian.
Eligible children cannot be denied RMEWF benefits solely because Aadhaar authentication fails or an Aadhaar number has not yet been issued, provided the required identity and relationship verification is completed.
For genuine adult beneficiaries, KSB must also follow the exception-handling mechanism prescribed under the DBT Mission Office Memorandum dated 19 December 2017 to prevent exclusion due to identification difficulties.
What responsibilities have been assigned to Kendriya Sainik Board?
The new rules place implementation responsibilities on KSB as well as beneficiaries.
KSB must facilitate Aadhaar enrolment and updates for beneficiaries who require assistance, including coordination with enrolment authorities and arrangements at convenient locations.
The Ministry must also ensure adequate publicity so applicants understand the identification requirements.
These instructions are intended to support beneficiary verification while maintaining access to assistance for genuine applicants who encounter Aadhaar-related problems.
Does the order introduce new financial assistance or higher grant amounts?
The Gazette notification concerns the process of establishing beneficiary identity. It does not announce increased RMEWF grant amounts, new financial assistance categories or changes to the existing eligibility criteria for individual welfare benefits.
It also does not prescribe a separate deadline for every beneficiary to link Aadhaar to a KSB account.
The RMEWF order should not be confused with the separate ECHS Aadhaar notification, which concerns healthcare-related services rather than financial assistance under the Kendriya Sainik Board.
For veterans applying for RMEWF benefits, the practical requirement is to complete the applicable identification procedure and provide the necessary supporting records. Eligibility for financial assistance continues to depend on the relevant scheme guidelines.
Sources
1. Ministry of Defence — Notification S.O. 5483(E), dated 7 October 2026
Read Official Gazette Notification — RMEWF Aadhaar Rules 2026 (PDF)
Gazette ID: CG-DL-E-12102026-277060
2. Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI)
Check Aadhaar Enrolment Status — My Aadhaar Portal
3. Direct Benefit Transfer Mission — Government of India
Disclaimer: This article explains the identity-verification requirements under Ministry of Defence Notification S.O. 5483(E). Approval of financial assistance remains subject to RMEWF eligibility rules and applicable government instructions.
Leave a Reply