What is Aadhaar?
Aadhaar is the world’s largest biometric ID system. Aadhaar also called UIDAI ID or UIDAI Number is a 12-digit unique identity number that can be obtained voluntarily by the citizens of India and resident foreign nationals who have spent over 182 days in twelve months immediately preceding the date of application for enrolment, based on their biometric and demographic data.
The data is collected by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), a statutory authority established in January 2009 by the Government of India, under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, following the provisions of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and other Subsidies, benefits and services) Act, 2016.
Considered a proof of residence and not a proof of citizenship, Aadhaar does not itself grant any rights to domicile in India. In June 2017, the Home Ministry clarified that Aadhaar is not a valid identification document for Indians travelling to Nepal and Bhutan.
Aadhar Not Valid Proof of Citizenship or Domicile: Calcutta High Court
Calcutta High Court on 26th Dec 2016 ruled that Aadhaar Card is not a proof of citizenship and stated that “Aadhaar Card by itself shall not confer any right of or be proof of citizenship or domicile in respect of the holder thereto” while rejecting a claim of citizenship of the accused who was issued the card in view of his long residence in the country.
The Calcutta HC order came with respect to new passport rules which were announced by Minister of State for External Affairs on December 23, 2016 where Aadhar and E-Aadhar with Date of Birth will now be considered as a valid identity proof.
Deactivation of Aadhaar card
About 8.1 million Aadhaar numbers have reportedly been deactivated by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).
The good news is deactivated Aadhaars can be reactivated. De-activation does not mean cancellation. A cancelled Aadhaar ceases to exist but the deactivated one can be activated by updating the relevant information with UIDAI.
When can Aadhaar be deactivated?
Your Aadhaar can be deactivated under various circumstances. An Aadhaar with mixed or anomalous biometric information or multiple names in single name is a good candidate for deactivation.
Aadhaar can also get deactivated upon non-usage of the same for three consecutive years. So, if you haven’t linked it to any bank account or PAN or for carrying out any transaction such as giving Aadhaar details to EPFO to claim pension, it is likely that your Aadhaar can get deactivated.
Also children below 5 years need to update their details again. Also its likely that a child who enrolled for Aadhaar before the age of 15 may have his Aadhaar deactivated for failure to update it after the age of 15 as mandated by the UIDAI.
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
QUES . Consider the following statements: UPSC 2018
1 . Aadhaar card can be used as a proof of citizenship or domicile.
2 . Once issued , Aadhaar number cannot be deactivated or omitted by the issuing Authority.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a . 1 only
b . 2 only
c . Both 1 & 2
d . Neither 1 nor 2
Ans d
