Assam Tightens Aadhaar Rules for Adults, New Restrictions Introduced in the Name of Curbing Illegal Immigration

Guwahati: The Assam government has announced a major change in the Aadhaar enrolment process, introducing stricter rules for adults in an effort to curb illegal immigration into the state.

The decision was approved during a state cabinet meeting and formally announced by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday. Under the new policy, individuals aged 18 years and above will no longer be able to obtain an Aadhaar card through the standard enrolment procedure.

According to the government, any adult seeking an Aadhaar card under special circumstances must now apply through the Deputy Commissioner of the concerned district. The district administration will conduct a detailed verification process and submit its findings to the state government. Aadhaar will be issued only after receiving final approval from the government.

Chief Minister Sarma stated that Aadhaar coverage in some districts has reportedly crossed 100 percent, raising concerns about how additional cards were issued and to whom. He said the new system is intended to strengthen scrutiny and prevent misuse.

The government has, however, granted temporary exemption to members of tea garden communities and Scheduled Tribes, as a significant number of people from these groups are still without Aadhaar cards. This exemption will remain in place until April 1, 2027, after which the restrictions will also apply to adults belonging to these communities.

For children and teenagers below the age of 18, the existing Aadhaar enrolment process will continue without any changes.

The move has sparked concern among rights activists and policy observers, who argue that measures introduced in the name of controlling illegal immigration often create difficulties for poor and marginalized citizens. They warn that people with incomplete documents or limited awareness may face additional hurdles in proving their identity and accessing essential services.

Critics have also questioned whether making access to a key identity document more complicated could affect the rights and welfare of genuine citizens. Since Aadhaar is widely used for government schemes, banking services, education, and other official purposes, any restriction on its issuance could have significant implications.

Reports indicate that the Assam government has been pursuing stricter policies on immigration-related issues for several years. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had previously indicated that the process for obtaining Aadhaar as an adult would become more stringent.

With the new policy now set to take effect, district administrations have been given greater authority in the verification process. Attention will now focus on how the system is implemented, the challenges it may create for residents, and how opposition parties respond to the government’s latest move.