Supreme Court Clarifies: Aadhaar is Proof of Identity, Not Citizenship

The Supreme Court has made it clear that the Aadhaar card can only be used as proof of identity and not as proof of citizenship. The court directed the Election Commission to treat Aadhaar merely as one of several identity documents and not as conclusive evidence of a person’s nationality.

 

The directive came during a hearing on a petition challenging the inclusion of Aadhaar details in the voter list verification process. The bench observed that while Aadhaar serves as a widely accepted identity document, it does not certify the holder’s citizenship status.

 

The court emphasized that to prove citizenship, individuals must submit separate and valid documents beyond Aadhaar. It also advised the Election Commission to list Aadhaar as the 12th document for identity verification purposes — not as a mandatory requirement for voter registration.

 

The order follows concerns that linking Aadhaar with voter rolls could inadvertently legitimize non-citizens as voters. The court underscored the importance of ensuring the sanctity of the electoral process, noting that citizenship verification requires more rigorous documentation than simple identity proof.

 

The Election Commission has been directed to exercise caution and conduct authenticity checks before linking Aadhaar details to voter databases. The court reiterated that Aadhaar, issued for welfare and identity purposes, was never intended to serve as evidence of nationality.

 

In its previous ruling on 22 August, the Supreme Court had already warned against using Aadhaar as a sole basis for voter identification. The latest clarification reinforces the principle that while Aadhaar helps establish identity, citizenship — a fundamental criterion for voting rights — must be proven through additional, legally recognized documents.

 

The court further advised that sensitive issues like citizenship should be handled above political considerations and that constitutional bodies like the Election Commission must act impartially and independently.