| TAMIL NADU GOVERNMENT GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY | ||
No. 78] CHENNAI, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2026 Maasi 5, Visuvaavasu, Thiruvalluvar Aandu-2057
Part II—Section 1
Notifications or Orders of specific character or of particular interest to the public
issued by Secretariat Departments.
NOTIFICATIONS BY GOVERNMENT
TOURISM, CULTURE AND RELIGIOUS ENDOWMENTS DEPARTMENT
AUTHORISATION FOR PERFORMANCE OF AADHAR AUTHENTICATION TO ESTABLISH THE IDENTITY OF INDIVIDUAL FOR ACCESSING THE INTEGRATED TEMPLE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM PORTAL FOR
BOOKING TEMPLE SERVICES
[G.O.Ms. No.81, Tourism, Culture and Religious Endowments (RE1-2), 17th February 2026, மாசி 5, விசுவாவசு, திருவள்ளுவர் ஆண்டு-2057.]
No. II(1)/TCRE/2(h)/2026.
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 (UIDAI), had allowed vide its letter eF.No.13(6)/2021-EG.II, dated 13.01.2026 to the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department (hereinafter referred to as "the said department"), Government of Tamil Nadu (hereinafter referred to as "the said Government") for the purposes prescribed under sub-rule (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 said department 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 sub-clause (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 (Central Act 18 of 2016) (hereinafter referred to as "the Act");
AND WHEREAS, the Aadhaar authentication shall be performed for establishing the identity of the individuals accessing the Integrated Temple Management System (ITMS) portal for booking of temple services 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 2 TAMIL NADU GOVERNMENT GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY voluntary basis and that the said Department shall perform the Aadhaar authentication only for individuals accessing Integrated Temple Management System (ITMS) portal [hereinafter referred to as the use case(s)];
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 Act, the said Department hereby notifies the following, namely:-
1. (1) The said department, as provided in the Act, shall obtain the consent of the Aadhaar number holder for the purpose of authentication herein;
(2) As per sub-rule (2) of rule 3 of the said rules, Aadhaar authentication is on voluntary basis the said department shall inform to the Aadhaar number holder of 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) Ration Card ;
(b) Voter Identity Card;
(c) Driving License issued by the Licensing Authority;
(d) Permanent Account Number (PAN) Card;
(e) Passport; and
(f) Birth Certificate in case of children.
2. This notification shall come into effect from the date of its publication in the official Gazette.
K. MANIVASAN, Additional Chief Secretary to Government.