Aadhaar Card New Rule: UIDAI Clarifies Usage — No Longer Valid for Citizenship or Date of Birth Proof

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has issued an important clarification regarding the use of Aadhaar cards, marking a major change in how the document can be used for official verification. As per the new directive, Aadhaar will no longer be accepted as proof of citizenship or as evidence of date of birth. This decision aligns with Supreme Court guidelines and the standardized norms for official documents issued by the Government of India.

Aadhaar Remains a Valid ID and Address Proof

While Aadhaar will no longer serve as proof of nationality or birth date, it will continue to remain valid as an identity and address proof across government and private institutions. This means that for everyday tasks like opening a bank account, filing income tax returns, availing government subsidies, or registering for welfare schemes, the Aadhaar card will still be required and valid.

The UIDAI emphasized that the Aadhaar card was never intended to serve as a document establishing citizenship or age verification, but rather as a tool for identity authentication and service delivery. The clarification comes amid ongoing confusion where many individuals and organizations were treating Aadhaar as a comprehensive identity document covering all aspects of personal identification.

What the New UIDAI Rule Says

According to the latest directive, the Aadhaar card cannot be used for:

• Proving Indian citizenship in any government or legal procedure.

• Establishing date of birth in applications such as passports, educational records, or legal documents.

However, it remains valid for:

• Identity verification for financial and public services.

• Address proof for government forms and KYC (Know Your Customer) processes.

This change ensures compliance with the Supreme Court’s 2018 verdict, which stated that Aadhaar can only be used as a tool for identity authentication and cannot replace documents like birth certificates or nationality certificates issued by competent authorities.

Updated Aadhaar Card Charges

Along with the new rule, UIDAI has also revised the charges for updating Aadhaar details. From 2025 onwards, the fees for any Aadhaar update — whether it’s name, address, photo, or mobile number — will range between ₹75 and ₹125 per update.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Basic demographic update (name/address) – ₹75

• Biometric update (photo/fingerprint/iris) – ₹100

• Full update (including mobile number) – ₹125

Citizens can update their Aadhaar either online via the UIDAI website or by visiting the nearest Aadhaar Seva Kendra. The revised fees will be applicable nationwide starting early 2025.

Why This Change Matters

The clarification by UIDAI aims to eliminate misuse and misinterpretation of the Aadhaar document. In recent years, Aadhaar has been incorrectly accepted as proof of birth and nationality in several instances. The new rule makes it clear that individuals must present separate documents such as:

• Birth Certificate (for date of birth proof)

• Passport or Voter ID (for citizenship proof)

This move will strengthen the verification system and ensure legal accuracy in government and private documentation.

Where Aadhaar Will Still Be Required

Despite the new restrictions, Aadhaar remains essential for many public and financial services, such as:

• Opening bank or post office accounts

• Applying for government subsidies (like LPG or PM Kisan)

• Linking PAN card for tax filing

• Receiving social welfare benefits

• Applying for mobile SIM cards

Therefore, while the scope of Aadhaar’s legal validity has been defined more clearly, its role in day-to-day digital and financial systems remains indispensable.

Final Takeaway

The latest Aadhaar update by UIDAI marks a significant step toward clarifying the legal and functional boundaries of India’s most widely used identity document. Citizens should remember that while Aadhaar remains an essential ID and address proof, it cannot replace citizenship or birth-related documents.

With the new update charges applicable from 2025, users are advised to review their Aadhaar details now and make necessary corrections before the revised fee structure comes into effect.