On 25 February 2026, the Ministry of Finance (Department of Financial Services) issued a notification permitting TransUnion CIBIL Limited to use Aadhaar authentication for establishing user identity while providing access to credit information reports. The authorization follows approval from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology in consultation with the Unique Identification Authority of India under the Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance Rules, 2020 and the Aadhaar Act, 2016. Aadhaar authentication may be conducted through Yes/No and/or eKYC modes solely for identity verification during user registration and login on the CIBIL platform. The notification clearly mandates that authentication is voluntary and requires prior consent of the Aadhaar holder. Importantly, the agency cannot deny services if a user refuses or is unable to undergo Aadhaar authentication and must offer alternative identification options, including PAN card, passport, voter ID, driving license, and ration card. The move aims to enhance convenience, transparency, and efficiency in accessing credit information.
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
(Department of Financial Services)
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 25th February, 2026
S.O. 1011(E).— Whereas the use of Aadhaar number to establish identity enables individuals to receive subsidies, benefits and services in a convenient and seamless manner, obviates the need for multiplicity of documents to establish identity, simplifies processes and promotes transparency and efficiency;
And whereas, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India, after consultation with the Unique Identification Authority of India had allowed vide its letter number 13(3)/2023-EG-II, dated the 2 nd February, 2026 to the Ministry of Finance, Department of Financial Services (hereinafter referred to as the said Ministry), Government of India (hereinafter referred to as the said Government) for the purposes specified under subrule (1) of rule 3 of the Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance (Social Welfare, Innovation, Knowledge) Rules, 2020 (hereinafter referred to as the said rules) that the TransUnion CIBIL Limited (hereinafter referred to as the said Agency) may be allowed to perform authentication and be permitted the use of Aadhaar number during authentication for establishing identity of Aadhaar number holder and notify the same under rule 5 of the said rules read with subclause (ii) of clause (b) of sub-section (4) of section 4 of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016 (18 of 2016) (hereinafter referred to as the Act);
And whereas, the Aadhaar authentication shall be performed for the purpose of accessing credit information reports of users, using Yes/No or/and eKYC authentication facilities (hereinafter referred to as the said purpose) as prescribed under sub-rule (1) of rule 3 of the said rules and the performance of Aadhaar authentication for the said purpose shall be on voluntary basis and that the said Agency shall perform the Aadhaar authentication only for establishing the identity of users during registration and login on the CIBIL platform (hereinafter referred to as the use cases);
Now, therefore, in pursuance of rule 5 of the said rules read with sub-clause (ii) of clause (b) of sub-section (4) of section 4 of the said Act, the said Ministry hereby notifies the following, namely:-
1. The said Agency, as provided in the said Act, shall obtain the consent of the Aadhaar number holder for the purpose of authentication herein.
2. The Aadhaar authentication shall be on voluntary basis in accordance with sub-rule (2) of rule 3 of the said rules and the said Agency shall inform to the Aadhaar number holder of the following alternate and viable means of identification and shall not deny any service to the Aadhaar number holder for refusing to, or being unable to, undergo Aadhaar authentication, namely:-
(a) Permanent Account Number (PAN) Card;
(b) Passport;
(c) Voter’s Identity Card issued by the Election Commission of India;
(d) Driving License issued by the Licensing Authority under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (59 of 1988); and
(e) Ration Card.
[F. No. 01/12/2025-CSFT]
Dr. ABHIJIT PHUKON, Economic Adviser
