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Reliefs sought in plea concerning Aadhaar require legislative intervention, says SC
The Supreme Court on May 4, 2026 said that issuing new Aadhaar cards to citizens up to the age of six would require legislative changes. It disposed of the PIL by directing the petition to be treated as a representation and suggested bringing the issues to the notice of states and stakeholders for cognizance. The plea sought stricter guidelines to prevent infiltrators from obtaining Aadhaar and to clarify that Aadhaar is a 'proof of identity' not a proof of citizenship, address or date of birth.
Why It Matters
The ruling highlights potential gaps in the Aadhaar framework and the role of Parliament and state authorities in addressing misuse and eligibility concerns, amid debates over identity verification and welfare delivery.
Timeline
1 Event
SC hearing on Aadhaar reliefs and legislative intervention
May 4, 2026
A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi heard a public interest litigation filed by lawyer Ashwini Upadhyay seeking to issue new Aadhaar cards only to citizens up to six years old, frame stringent guidelines for adolescents and adults, and install boards at common service centres clarifying that Aadhaar is a 'proof of identity' not a proof of citizenship, address or date of birth. The bench said many reliefs would require legislative amendments in the existing framework and disposed of the petition with a direction to treat it as a representation on behalf of the petitioner, advising that the issues be brought to the notice of the State and other stakeholders for cognisance. It was stated that the UIDAI had issued 144 crore Aadhaar cards and that about 99% of Indians were enrolled. The bench urged pointing out these issues to Parliament and the government, while noting the plea was not adversarial and aimed at preventing infiltrators from obtaining Aadhaar. The matter was listed as a PIL under Article 32 and the court did not express an opinion on the merits.