Booking Tamil Nadu Temples on LTC? Check the New Voluntary Aadhaar ID Rules

TN ITMS Portal Authentication Rule 2026: Identity Mandates

From February 17, 2026, a new identity authentication rule has come into effect for booking temple services in Tamil Nadu, which directly impacts Central Government employees planning their Leave Travel Concession (LTC) trips. The state government has integrated Aadhaar authentication into its Integrated Temple Management System (ITMS) booking portal, but with crucial mandatory exemptions. As of Thursday, February 19, 2026, employees must navigate these new portal rules carefully to ensure their family darshan bookings align with their official LTC dependent records.

How does the UIDAI eKYC integration work?

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology approved this integration under the Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance Rules, 2020. It allows the ITMS portal to utilize real-time Yes/No or eKYC facilities. When an individual attempts to book special darshan, pooja, or accommodation at state-run temples, the system pings the UIDAI database to verify the applicant’s identity instantly.

Why This Matters for Central Government LTC Claims

Thousands of Central Government employees utilize the All India LTC facility to visit prominent Tamil Nadu heritage sites like Madurai Meenakshi Amman or the Rameshwaram temple complex. Booking these services online requires precise identity matching that aligns with Central Civil Services rules. Many DDOs routinely cross-check the names on local travel receipts and accommodation bookings with the official service record dependents list; a mismatch can delay the settlement of the entire LTC claim by a full audit cycle.

Does the name on the temple ticket need to match the CGHS card?

Yes. While booking through the ITMS portal, the identity document provided must exactly match the names declared in the employee’s official family details. Discrepancies between the Aadhaar name used for booking and the name on the employee’s service book often trigger recovery notices during post-audit checks.

Can an employee book tickets for non-dependent relatives?

The ITMS portal allows booking for any individual with a valid ID, but those specific tickets cannot be submitted as part of the official journey record for LTC reimbursement. Only approved dependents listed in the official declaration can be claimed.

Six Permitted Alternative IDs for Temple Booking

The most critical aspect of this gazette notification is its voluntary nature. Under sub-rule (2) of rule 3 of the Aadhaar rules, the department cannot deny any temple service to an individual who refuses to, or is unable to, undergo Aadhaar authentication.

What are the official alternatives to Aadhaar?

If a Central Government employee chooses not to use Aadhaar to protect privacy or avoid name-mismatch issues, the ITMS portal is legally mandated to accept alternate identification documents.

Which document is valid for minors and children?

For dependent children travelling on LTC who may not possess a PAN or Voter ID, a standard Birth Certificate is officially recognized as a valid alternate identification document under this specific gazette notification.

LTC Leave Encashment Calculation With Expected DA Hike

When travelling to Tamil Nadu, employees generally claim a 10-day Earned Leave (EL) encashment to fund local expenses like temple bookings. With the anticipated January 2026 Dearness Allowance hike to 55 percent, this payout, alongside standard monthly salaries, will see a noticeable increase. While planning finances for the trip, employees can project their upcoming dues using the 8th pay commission arrears calculator.

How much will the salary and encashment increase?

The standard calculation for monthly salary gains illustrates the financial impact of the incoming DA revision, which directly affects the EL encashment formula: ((Basic Pay + DA) / 30) × 10.

For an employee at Level 6, the DA jump translates to an annual gain of Rs 21,240, providing significant additional funds for travel and accommodation expenses during block year trips.

Action Steps for Central Government Staff

Before initiating any booking on the ITMS portal for an upcoming Tamil Nadu LTC trip, employees must meticulously prepare their documentation to ensure seamless claim processing upon return.

What should the employee upload on the ITMS portal?

First, verify that the spelling on the chosen ID matches your official service records. Second, select the Aadhaar option only if the Aadhaar name perfectly matches. If there is a discrepancy, utilize the PAN card or Voter ID option as permitted by G.O.Ms. No.81 to prevent audit objections later. Third, ensure all dependents carry the original physical ID used during the portal booking while travelling, as temple authorities will verify it at the entry gates.