SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has made Aadhaar authentication mandatory for beneficiaries availing services under its drug de-addiction programmes, including treatment, counselling, rehabilitation and the regulated dispensation of psychotropic medicines through the Drug De-addiction Registry Portal (DDRP).
The notification, S.O. 196 dated July 10, 2026, was issued by the Health and Medical Education Department from the Civil Secretariat, Srinagar, under Section 7 of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016, and has come into force with immediate effect following its publication in the Official Gazette.
According to the notification issued by the Lieutenant Governor’s administration, Aadhaar authentication will be mandatory for individuals seeking benefits under the DDRP, which is used for tracking the dispensation of psychotropic medicines under the Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD) framework.
The government said the use of Aadhaar would simplify beneficiary identification, reduce the need for multiple documents, improve administrative efficiency and enhance transparency. Expenditure on the scheme, including de-addiction treatment, counselling, medicines, rehabilitation services and the regulated dispensation of psychotropic medicines, is met from the Consolidated Fund of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
The notification states that every person seeking benefits under the scheme must undergo Aadhaar authentication or furnish proof of possession of an Aadhaar number. Individuals who have not yet been assigned an Aadhaar number must apply for enrolment immediately. In the case of children, enrolment can only be undertaken with the consent of a parent or legal guardian.
The State Drug Controller Office has been directed to facilitate the enrolment of eligible beneficiaries who do not possess Aadhaar or require updates to their Aadhaar details. This will be carried out in accordance with Regulation 12 of the Aadhaar (Enrolment and Update) Regulations, 2016, including by establishing enrolment centres at convenient locations or by acting as a Registrar.
The government has also laid down alternative procedures for beneficiaries awaiting Aadhaar enrolment. Such individuals may establish their identity by producing valid alternative documents or by consenting to the electronic verification of their details from relevant databases where such facilities are available.
For children below 18 years of age who do not possess an Aadhaar number, the notification requires submission of the Aadhaar enrolment acknowledgement slip containing the Enrolment ID (EID), along with one document establishing age. Acceptable documents include a birth certificate issued under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, an Indian passport, or Class 10 or Class 12 certificates or mark sheets issued by a recognised education board. For children residing in registered Child Care Institutions under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, a date of birth certificate issued by the institution’s authorised officer will also be accepted. Foreign nationals may submit documents such as an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Card, a Tibetan refugee registration certificate, a Nepal or Bhutan passport, or an Indian visa or Long-Term Visa accompanied by a foreign passport.
To establish the child’s relationship with a parent or legal guardian, one photograph-bearing document must also be produced. These include a ration card, caste or domicile certificate issued by an Executive Magistrate or a revenue officer not below the rank of Tehsildar, a government or public sector medical or insurance identity card, an Indian passport, Class 10 or Class 12 certificates, adoption or guardianship orders issued under the relevant laws, or any other document specified by the department.
Adult beneficiaries aged 18 years or above who do not possess an Aadhaar number must furnish the Aadhaar enrolment acknowledgement slip containing the EID along with one photograph-bearing identity document. Acceptable documents include an Elector’s Photo Identity Card (EPIC), ration card, Indian driving licence, Indian passport, caste or domicile certificate, government or public sector medical or insurance identity card, identity card issued to serving or retired government employees, disability certificate issued under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Rules, 2017, Unique Disability Identification (UDID) Card, adoption or guardianship documents, specified documents for foreign nationals, or any other document notified by the department.
The notification authorises designated officers of the Health and Medical Education Department to verify alternative documents by validating the Enrolment ID through the official myAadhaar portal to ensure that the enrolment request is genuine and has not been rejected. The officers may also seek assistance from other government authorities responsible for maintaining such records. The department has been directed to undertake extensive publicity through various media platforms to ensure that beneficiaries are aware of the Aadhaar requirement.
The government has also prescribed exception handling procedures for cases where biometric authentication fails because of poor fingerprint, iris or facial image quality or technical reasons. In such situations, beneficiaries may be authenticated through alternative biometric methods or one-time password (OTP)-based authentication wherever feasible. If both methods are unavailable, benefits may still be extended after offline verification of the Aadhaar Secure QR Code or Aadhaar Paperless Offline e-KYC document in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).
The notification specifically provides that no child shall be denied benefits under the scheme because of failure of Aadhaar authentication, non-possession of an Aadhaar number or pending enrolment. In such cases, benefits will be released after verifying the child’s identity and relationship with a parent or legal guardian through alternative documents. The State Drug Controller Office has been directed to maintain, periodically review and audit all such cases.
For adult beneficiaries, the State Drug Controller Office has been instructed to strictly follow the exception handling mechanism prescribed in the Direct Benefit Transfer Mission Office Memorandum dated December 19, 2017, issued by the Cabinet Secretariat, Government of India, to ensure that no genuine beneficiary is deprived of assistance due to authentication-related issues.
The notification came into force with immediate effect from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
