# Centre mandates Aadhaar for SC Top Class Education scholarship 2026-10-01T20:07:51+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet The Centre has made Aadhaar authentication or proof of possession of an Aadhaar number a requirement for Scheduled Caste students applying for the Top Class Education scholarship. The scheme, run by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, offers full financial support for higher education beyond Class 12 at premier institutions including IITs, IIMs, AIIMS and NITs. In a notification dated September 18, the Ministry said beneficiaries must undergo authentication or furnish proof of an Aadhaar number. Students without Aadhaar must apply for enrolment. For a child below 18, the government will accept the enrolment acknowledgement along with documents such as a birth certificate, passport, or Class 10/12 certificate, and proof of relationship with a parent or guardian. The notification also includes an exception handling provision: the benefit shall not be denied to a child who fails Aadhaar authentication, cannot furnish proof of possession, or has only an enrolment application. In such cases, identity will be verified through prescribed documents. The Department will maintain records of these cases for periodic review and audit. ## Indian Opinion Analysis The mandate adds a documentation layer for SC students from families without Aadhaar, though the exception clause aims to prevent denial of benefits. Implementation depends on how smoothly the Department sets up enrolment centres and processes alternative verification. The requirement for periodic audit of exception cases suggests the government is aware of potential exclusion risks but has not specified a timeline for the review. ## Coverage - thehindubusinessline.com Straightforward policy notification reporting with no editorial slant This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Tags: Aadhaar, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Scheduled Caste, Top Class Education scholarship Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/centre-mandates-aadhaar-for-sc-top-class-education-scholarship/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/centre-mandates-aadhaar-for-sc-top-class-education-scholarship/#story-in-brief How this brief was made: an AI model read the report linked above and wrote this summary and analysis, which were published automatically. Published briefs are sampled every hour by an automated quality check; the editor verifies its findings and approves corrections, and corrected briefs carry a dated correction line. We do no original reporting. Methodology: https://indianopinion.org/ai-use-policy/