Several Indian states have begun strict measures to stop using Aadhaar cards as proof of date of birth, following long-standing clarifications from the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh lead the crackdown, cancelling birth certificates issued solely on Aadhaar and warning against fraud that could aid illegal citizenship claims. This move aligns with Supreme Court rulings and UIDAI guidelines that limit Aadhaar to identity verification only.​

UIDAI’s Clear Stance on Aadhaar

UIDAI has time and again stated that Aadhaar serves only to establish a person’s identity through its 12-digit number, not to confirm date of birth, citizenship, or residence. The date of birth on an Aadhaar card may be marked as “verified,” “declared,” or “approximate” based on documents submitted at enrolment, but it lacks legal authority for age proof. A recent letter from UIDAI’s Lucknow office to Uttar Pradesh officials reiterated that the agency cannot authenticate age, citing court judgements that reject Aadhaar as conclusive evidence.​

High courts across India, including Bombay, Punjab and Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Delhi, have backed this view in cases involving pensions, juvenile status, and accidents. The Supreme Court recently overturned a high court decision in a motor accident claim, ruling that school leaving certificates hold more weight than Aadhaar under laws like the Juvenile Justice Act. UIDAI stresses that birth data proof rests with the holder, and relying on Aadhaar alone invites errors due to its basic verification process.​

Maharashtra’s Tough Action Plan

Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced on Thursday that all birth certificates issued just with Aadhaar after the 2023 amendment to the Births and Deaths Registration Act will face cancellation. The state revenue department rolled out 16-point guidelines to tehsildars, district collectors, and others, targeting 14 districts like Amravati, Akola, Latur, Sambhajinagar, Parbhani, Beed, and Jalna as fraud hotspots. Officials must withdraw orders by naib tehsildars post-August 11, 2023, verify them, and delete fake entries from the Civil Registration System portal.​

If Aadhaar details mismatch application info, authorities will file FIRs against applicants for forgery, and those failing to surrender certificates will be marked absconding. Special verification camps will run in high-risk areas, with tehsildars responsible for police complaints where none exist. Birth certificates up to one year old come from health departments, but delayed ones now demand stronger proofs amid fears of misuse by outsiders.​

UP Joins the Clampdown

In Uttar Pradesh, the Planning Department directed all secretaries on Thursday to bar Aadhaar as date of birth proof for jobs, promotions, service records, or any government work. Special Secretary Amit Singh Bansal pointed to the UIDAI Lucknow letter dated October 31, which deems Aadhaar unfit for birth data. This step aims to plug loopholes in official processes where weak documents slipped through.​

Both states mandate valid alternatives like birth certificates from municipal bodies, passports, matriculation certificates, or school leaving certificates for age verification. Passports and birth certificates top the list due to their strict checks, while institutions must now update policies to drop Aadhaar from age-related requirements.​

Wider Impact and Next Steps

The Supreme Court has pushed for reliable records in schools, jobs, schemes, and claims, forcing government bodies to tighten rules. BJP leader Kirit Somaiya flagged cases in Nanded where Aadhaar enabled fake certificates with mismatched dates, prompting UIDAI’s response. Even the Department of Posts has spread word that Aadhaar proves neither citizenship nor birth date.​

People without strong proofs may face hurdles in updates or services, but UIDAI offers ways to correct Aadhaar with valid documents. This nationwide push promises cleaner records, though it sparks worries for genuine citizens in rural areas. Officials urge quick compliance to avoid police action.​

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