No New Aadhaar Cards for Adults in Assam: Government’s Big Decision

Guwahati (Assam) :  The Assam government on Thursday announced a major decision stating that no new Aadhaar cards will be issued to individuals above the age of 18. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the move is aimed at preventing illegal immigrants from acquiring Indian citizenship and ensuring the authenticity of citizens’ identification.

After a cabinet meeting, the Chief Minister informed that adults above 18 who still do not have an Aadhaar card will be given only one month’s window to apply.

However, the government has made an exception for certain communities. Members of the tea tribes, Scheduled Castes (SC), and Scheduled Tribes (ST) above 18 years of age will continue to be eligible for Aadhaar for the next one year.

Sarma explained that the decision comes in the backdrop of concerns regarding possible illegal immigration from Bangladesh. He added that most adults in the state already possess Aadhaar cards, and therefore, only children and newborns now require them.

Earlier, the state had also considered giving District Commissioners the authority to approve or reject Aadhaar applications for adults.

The move has sparked debate in Assam. While supporters believe it will bring more transparency to citizenship and identity verification, critics and opposition parties may view it as a discriminatory step.