The Supreme Court of India recently issued a landmark ruling clarifying that Aadhaar cards, although widely used for identification, cannot serve as proof of age or date of birth. In the case of N. Hemabindu vs. Union of India, the Court held that a School Leaving Certificate (SLC) is a more reliable document for verifying age. This judgement reinforces Aadhaar's purpose as identification proof rather than age verification. Let’s delve into the background, details, and broader implications of this ruling.

Story Behind the Verdict

On October 24, 2024, the Supreme Court passed this judgement during a case related to motor accident compensation. The case required determining the accurate age of Sika Ram, who tragically died in a motorcycle accident. Compensation in such cases relies on factors including the deceased's age, income, and family dependents. A key part of this calculation is the “multiplier,” a factor representing potential future earnings, which increases compensation awarded to the family.

The Motor Accident Case and Compensation

The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) in Rohtak, Haryana, initially awarded compensation to Sika Ram’s family. However, the Punjab and Haryana High Court later reviewed the case and reduced the compensation based on his age as recorded on his Aadhaar card. Since the age multiplier decreases with age, using the older age recorded on Aadhaar significantly reduced the compensation amount.

Family’s Appeal to the Supreme Court

Dissatisfied with the reduction, the family approached the Supreme Court, arguing that Sika Ram’s age should be verified through his School Leaving Certificate (SLC) rather than his Aadhaar card. The SLC indicated he was younger, which would allow for a higher multiplier and thus greater compensation. The Supreme Court agreed, emphasizing that Aadhaar is not a legally recognized proof of age.

Rationale Behind the Supreme Court's Judgement

This judgement aligns with previous legal standards, reaffirming Aadhaar’s role as an identity document rather than an age or birth date verifier. The Court’s reasoning includes the following key points:

1. Juvenile Justice Act, 2015

The Supreme Court referred to the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, which allows school records or matriculation certificates as evidence for determining a child's age. This underscores the need to rely on formal educational records for age verification rather than Aadhaar.

2. 2018 Constitutional Bench Ruling

In 2018, a Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court declared that Aadhaar’s primary function is as proof of identity, not age. This ruling clarified Aadhaar’s intended role and reinforced the need for other documents in cases where age verification is required.

3. UIDAI’s Position

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), which issues Aadhaar, has always maintained that Aadhaar is not intended to verify age or birth details. The UIDAI has issued guidelines stating that Aadhaar is strictly for identity purposes and that school certificates or other age-verification documents are required. The Supreme Court’s judgement thus aligns with UIDAI's stance.

Impact of the Judgment on Aadhaar’s Purpose

This ruling underscores that Aadhaar should be used primarily for identity verification, not for verifying age. Although Aadhaar has become essential for accessing various government schemes, this judgement reinforces its specific role.

Aadhaar’s Evolution Over Time

Since its inception, Aadhaar’s role has expanded from aiding access to welfare schemes to being a widely accepted identification tool. Here’s a brief timeline:

• Initial Purpose: Aadhaar was first introduced as a unique ID to improve access to social schemes and government benefits, especially for disadvantaged groups.
• Role in Financial and Social Services: Aadhaar’s usage has grown significantly, and it is now a common requirement for many financial transactions and social benefits programs.
• Puttaswamy Case (2018): The 2018 Supreme Court ruling allowed Aadhaar to remain mandatory for PAN linking and income tax filing, while voluntary for other services. This ruling reaffirmed Aadhaar’s identity-verification function.

Expansion and Limits of Aadhaar’s Role

Aadhaar’s scope continues to grow, and it is widely required for government schemes and private-sector identity verification. Key areas include:

• Government Schemes: Aadhaar is essential for accessing many welfare schemes, providing a streamlined and transparent process.
• Tax Filing: Aadhaar is mandatory for filing income tax returns, and the PAN-Aadhaar linkage further integrates Aadhaar into the tax system.
• Private Sector Use: Although not obligatory, many companies use Aadhaar for KYC verification, simplifying identity validation.

Recent Developments in 2024

In January 2024, Aadhaar became mandatory for workers under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), emphasizing its role in rural employment schemes. While Aadhaar’s use has expanded, this Supreme Court ruling clarifies that it should not be used as proof of age.

Key Guidelines for Individuals Using Aadhaar

The Supreme Court’s judgement provides clarity on when to use Aadhaar and when other documents are needed. 

When to Use Aadhaar:

1. For Government Benefits
   • Aadhaar is essential for accessing various social welfare schemes and government subsidies.
   • Ensure your Aadhaar details are updated and linked to relevant services for smoother access to benefits.
2. For Identity Proof
   • Aadhaar is widely accepted as an identification document for both government and private entities.
   • Many organizations use it for KYC verification purposes, especially in financial transactions, making it a common requirement.

When Not to Use Aadhaar:

1. For Age Verification
   • Do not use Aadhaar as proof of age. Instead, use documents such as:
     • School Leaving Certificate (SLC)
     • Matriculation Certificate
     • Birth Certificate

2. For Legal and Employment Requirements
   • In situations where age verification is required, such as for job applications or legal matters, Aadhaar should not be used.
   • Rely on educational certificates or government-issued documents that specifically verify age.

Conclusion: Understanding Aadhaar’s True Purpose

This Supreme Court ruling clarifies that Aadhaar is meant for identity verification, not for establishing age or birth date. For individuals, this means that while Aadhaar remains an important document, additional documents are necessary for legal or official purposes involving age verification. This guidance ensures Aadhaar serves its intended role within India’s digital infrastructure, upholding accuracy and legality in age verification across various situations.

By reinforcing the principle of document-based age verification, the Supreme Court has clarified that Aadhaar will remain an identity tool, focusing on its core purpose without overextending its application.

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