Assam to Halt Aadhaar Enrolment for Adults to Curb Illegal Migration
The Assam government will stop issuing new Aadhaar cards to adults from October 1 to prevent suspected illegal migrants from fraudulently obtaining the identity document. A one-year window will remain open for members of Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, and tea garden communities to complete their enrolment. In exceptional cases, District Commissioners may approve applications for others, but only after rigorous verification through police and foreigners' tribunals reports, marking a significant shift in the state's identity and immigration policy.
Unpacked:
These communities have lower Aadhaar saturation rates—only about 96%, compared to the general population's over 100%. The extension aims to ensure these vulnerable groups have adequate time to obtain Aadhaar cards, since many still lack them and rely on Aadhaar for access to essential services.
Aadhaar saturation exceeding 100% means the number of issued Aadhaar cards is higher than Assam’s actual population. This raises concerns that illegal migrants may have fraudulently obtained Aadhaar cards, prompting the government to halt new issuances and review the process to prevent misuse.
Adults without Aadhaar may face difficulties accessing government services, subsidies, and financial systems linked to Aadhaar authentication. The policy allows exceptions in rare cases, but the approval process involves rigorous verification, potentially causing delays or unintentional exclusion.
Assam has recently apprehended Bangladeshi nationals crossing the border illegally. The government fears some migrants may be obtaining Aadhaar cards to claim Indian citizenship. The move aims to safeguard against illegal immigration by closing loopholes in identity document issuance.