Assam Cabinet Halts Aadhaar Card Issuance for Adults to Curb Illegal Immigration
The Assam Cabinet has decided to stop issuing Aadhaar cards to individuals above 18 years of age, with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announcing the measure is aimed at preventing illegal immigrants from obtaining the identity document. Exceptions will be made for Scheduled Tribes and tea garden communities until April 1, 2027, after which the ban will be total for all adults; district commissioners may seek state approval for individual exceptional cases. The move reflects growing concerns about Aadhaar saturation in some districts exceeding 100% enrollment, raising questions about undocumented persons acquiring the national identity credential.
The Assam Cabinet on Saturday announced it would cease issuing Aadhaar cards to residents above 18 years of age, with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stating the decision is intended to prevent illegal Bangladeshi immigrants from obtaining the document. Sarma noted that Aadhaar enrollment in some Assam districts has surpassed 100%, prompting the government to investigate who is acquiring the additional cards. In exceptional cases, district commissioners will be required to submit proposals to the state government for approval before any adult Aadhaar card is issued. Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes, and tea garden community members will continue to receive Aadhaar cards until March 2027, as many in these groups have yet to be enrolled; a complete ban for all adults will take effect from April 1, 2027. Aadhaar cards will continue to be issued without restriction to those under 18. The decision follows earlier statements by Sarma that the state would adopt stricter rules for adult Aadhaar issuance, and aligns with broader BJP political messaging on illegal immigration in Assam.
What's missing
Neither source addresses the legal or constitutional basis for a state government restricting issuance of a centrally administered identity document like Aadhaar, nor whether the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has been consulted or has approved this state-level policy change.
How coverage differed
The Times of India added political context absent from The Hindu, noting that the move aligns with Union Home Minister Amit Shah's electoral pitch urging voters to give BJP another term to remove 'infiltrators' from Assam, framing the Cabinet decision within a broader BJP political agenda.
What different sources said
- NDTVCenter
No New Aadhaar For Those Above 18 In Assam Without Extra Verification Step
- Times of IndiaCenter
No more Aadhaar cards for adults in Assam? What the government said
- The HinduCenter
Assam Cabinet decides to stop Aadhaar issuance to those aged above 18: CM
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