The Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, has issued Notification S.O. 4831(E) dated 24 August 2026, relating to Aadhaar authentication for users of the Shram Suvidha Portal (SSP).
The notification was published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (ii), on 1 September 2026 and comes into force from the date of its publication.
Purpose of the Notification
The Shram Suvidha Portal is the Ministry's unified web-based platform intended to streamline labour-law compliance and provide a single interface between employers and enforcement authorities.
Under the revised framework, Aadhaar authentication may be used for verification of user details for modules available on the Shram Suvidha Portal.
However, an important clarification has been made:
Aadhaar Authentication is Voluntary
Aadhaar authentication for verification of users on the Shram Suvidha Portal shall be voluntary and not mandatory.
The Ministry may undertake authentication only through:
Yes/No Aadhaar authentication, and/or
e-KYC authentication facilities.
Consent is Mandatory
Before carrying out Aadhaar authentication, the Ministry is required to obtain the consent of the Aadhaar number holder in accordance with the Aadhaar Act, 2016.
Accordingly, Aadhaar authentication cannot be undertaken without the consent of the concerned individual.
Alternative Identification Documents Permitted
Where an individual:
does not wish to undergo Aadhaar authentication; or
is unable to complete Aadhaar authentication,
the Ministry cannot deny access to the relevant service merely on that ground.
The following alternative identity documents have specifically been recognised:
Voter ID Card
PAN Card
Driving Licence
Passport
The Ministry is also required to inform the Aadhaar number holder about these alternative and viable means of identification.
Earlier Notification Superseded
The new notification supersedes Ministry of Labour and Employment Notification S.O. 2523(E) dated 15 May 2026, except in respect of actions already taken or omitted before such supersession.
Accordingly, S.O. 4831(E) will now govern Aadhaar authentication for the relevant Shram Suvidha Portal modules.
Legal Basis
The notification has been issued under:
Section 4(4)(b)(ii) of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016; and
Rules 3 and 5 of the Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance (Social Welfare, Innovation, Knowledge) Rules, 2020.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, after consultation with UIDAI, had authorised the Ministry of Labour and Employment to undertake such authentication through its communication dated 20 April 2026.
Compliance Impact for Employers and Users
For employers, establishments, authorised representatives and other users accessing modules on the Shram Suvidha Portal, the notification means that:
Aadhaar cannot be treated as the only permissible mode of identity verification.
Where Aadhaar authentication is offered:
prior consent should be obtained;
authentication is voluntary;
refusal or inability to authenticate through Aadhaar should not result in denial of service; and
alternative identification through Voter ID, PAN, Driving Licence or Passport must be available.
Key Takeaway
Aadhaar authentication on the Shram Suvidha Portal may facilitate digital identity verification, but it is expressly voluntary. A user cannot be denied a service merely because the user refuses or is unable to undergo Aadhaar authentication.
Notification: S.O. 4831(E)
Notification Date: 24 August 2026
Gazette Publication: 1 September 2026
Effective From: 1 September 2026
Issued By: Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India