In a move to streamline benefit delivery and enhance transparency, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has issued a notification dated 21st April 2025 mandating Aadhaar authentication for farmers to receive benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA).
The order, issued under Section 7 of the Aadhaar Act, 2016, applies to all components of PM-AASHA—including the Price Support Scheme (PSS), Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS), and the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS).
Key Provisions:
Mandatory Aadhaar:
Farmers seeking benefits must authenticate their Aadhaar number or furnish proof of possession.
For Those Without Aadhaar:
Individuals must apply for Aadhaar enrolment, and may avail benefits in the interim by producing:
- Enrolment Acknowledgement (EID)
- Any one of 13 government-issued photo ID documents (e.g. Voter ID, Ration Card, Passport, etc.)
Children & Guardians:
For minors, Aadhaar application must be done with the consent of parents or legal guardians.
Aadhaar Update & Enrolment Support:
Agencies must facilitate enrolment by coordinating with Registrars or by acting as Registrars themselves.
Fallback Authentication:
In case biometric authentication fails, alternative methods like OTP or offline e-KYC using Aadhaar QR Code or e-Aadhaar will be permitted.
Exceptions & Oversight:
A record of all exceptions will be maintained and periodically audited to ensure transparency and prevent misuse. The agency will follow guidelines under the DBT exception handling mechanism.
Effective Date:
The notification takes immediate effect from April 21st 2025
The government will also launch mass awareness campaigns to educate beneficiaries about these new requirements and help them transition smoothly.
This Aadhaar integration is aimed at reducing fraud, improving direct benefit transfers, and ensuring that genuine farmers receive timely support.
