CIBIL can now use voluntary Aadhaar authentication for credit report access

The Department of Financial Services (DFS), under the Ministry of Finance, issued a notification on February 25, 2026, regarding the appointment of an agency for Aadhaar authentication.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), after consulting the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), gave permission (via a letter dated February 2, 2026) to the Ministry of Finance, Department of Financial Services, to allow TransUnion CIBIL Limited to use Aadhaar authentication.

This means TransUnion CIBIL can use a person’s Aadhaar number (with proper rules and consent) to verify their identity under the Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance Rules, 2020, and the Aadhaar Act, 2016.

Aadhaar authentication may be used only for the purpose of accessing users’ credit information reports on the CIBIL platform. The authentication can be done through Yes/No verification or eKYC methods, as allowed under the relevant rules. The agency will use Aadhaar only to confirm a user’s identity during registration and login on the CIBIL platform.

According to Section 4 of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016, the agency must first obtain the consent of the Aadhaar holder before performing any Aadhaar authentication. Since the use of Aadhaar is optional, the agency must also inform users about other valid identification options. No service should be denied if a person refuses or is unable to use Aadhaar authentication. The alternative identity documents that can be used include a PAN card, passport, voter ID card issued by the Election Commission of India, driving licence issued under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and a ration card.