Assam bans first-time Aadhaar issuance for Adults to Curb Illegal Immigration
Aug 21, 2025
In a significant move aimed at curbing illegal immigration, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday announced that first-time Aadhaar cards will no longer be issued to individuals above 18 years of age in the state. The decision, he said, was taken as a precautionary measure to prevent undocumented immigrants from obtaining Indian identity documents.
Speaking to reporters after a Cabinet meeting, CM Sarma stated that the new rule is part of the government’s broader effort to ensure the authenticity of citizens’ identities and to address concerns surrounding illegal immigration from Bangladesh.
“There will be a one-month window for those above 18 who have not yet enrolled for Aadhaar to do so. After that, Aadhaar issuance for this age group will be stopped, except for specific categories,” the Chief Minister said.
The new restrictions will not apply to individuals from marginalized communities. People belonging to Tea Tribes, Scheduled Castes (SC), and Scheduled Tribes (ST) who are above 18 years of age will continue to be eligible for Aadhaar enrolment for the next one year.
“This targeted exemption ensures that vulnerable sections of society are not deprived of essential services linked to Aadhaar,” Sarma added.
In a further tightening of the enrolment process, the Chief Minister revealed that Aadhaar cards for adult citizens will soon be issued exclusively through the offices of Deputy Commissioners (DCs), rather than through common service centers or third-party vendors.
“Very soon, we will implement a system where Aadhaar for adult citizens will be issued only by DCs. This will ensure that no illegal immigrant can fraudulently obtain an Aadhaar card, allowing us to better monitor and take action where necessary,” he said.
