Assam Tightens Aadhaar Rules: No New Adult Aadhaar Cards Without Special Verification, Says Himanta Biswa Sarma

Guwahati: In a major policy decision aimed at curbing illegal immigration and strengthening identity verification mechanisms, the Assam government has announced that Aadhaar cards will no longer be issued to individuals above 18 years of age through the normal enrolment process. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that adults seeking a new Aadhaar card will now have to undergo a special verification procedure, making Assam the first state in the country to introduce such stringent restrictions on adult Aadhaar enrolment. The decision was approved by the Assam Cabinet and forms part of the state government’s broader campaign against illegal infiltration, particularly from neighboring Bangladesh. According to Sarma, the objective is to ensure that undocumented migrants do not obtain Aadhaar cards and subsequently use them to access government services, welfare schemes, or establish claims of , Under the new framework, fresh Aadhaar enrolment for adults will effectively be halted. In exceptional cases, applications will first be scrutinized by the concerned District Commissioner before being forwarded to the state government for final approval. The government believes this multi-layered verification process will significantly reduce the possibility of fraudulent enrolment and strengthen the integrity of identity records. Chief Minister Sarma has repeatedly argued that Assam faces unique demographic and security challenges due to its long international border and history of illegal migration. He has maintained that many infiltrators attempt to obtain Aadhaar cards as a means of establishing legitimacy and accessing official documentation. The new restrictions, according to the government, are intended to close what it views as a critical loophole in the identification system. The government clarified that the restrictions primarily apply to first-time adult applicants. Aadhaar enrolment for children and eligible minors will continue under existing procedures. Certain communities, including Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and tea garden workers who may still have gaps in Aadhaar coverage, have been granted temporary relaxation, although these exemptions are also expected to be phased out in the future. The move comes against the backdrop of the state’s ongoing efforts to identify and deport illegal immigrants. Over the past few years, the Assam government has linked several administrative reforms—including stricter birth registration norms, citizenship verification measures, and electoral roll revisions—to its campaign against infiltration. Aadhaar verification is now becoming another important component of that strategy. Supporters of the decision argue that Assam’s demographic concerns require extraordinary measures. They contend that since the state has already achieved near-universal Aadhaar coverage among genuine residents, new adult applications naturally warrant greater scrutiny. Critics, however, caution that excessive restrictions could create difficulties for legitimate citizens who, for various reasons, were unable to obtain Aadhaar earlier in life. The policy is likely to trigger debate at the national level because Aadhaar is administered by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) and serves as one of the country’s most widely used identity documents. Legal experts note that the implementation of state-specific restrictions could raise important questions regarding access, verification standards, and administrative authority. Nevertheless, the Assam government maintains that its actions are fully aligned with the objective of ensuring that identity documents are issued only after thorough verification. For the BJP government in Assam, the decision represents another step in its long-standing campaign against illegal immigration. For residents, it signals a new era of tighter documentation and identity checks. Whether the policy becomes a model for other border states or remains unique to Assam will depend on its effectiveness and the legal scrutiny it may face in the months ahead.