Aadhaar and PAN: Not Valid Proofs of Indian Citizenship: Government Clarifies; which document is required to prove citizenship
The issue of proving citizenship in India has been a topic of discussion in recent times, especially in the context of voter list revision and checking of illegal immigrants before the Bihar assembly elections. Many people consider Aadhaar card, voter ID, PAN card or ration card as proof of citizenship, but what is the status of these documents officially? Let’s know.
Aadhaar card: Not a proof of citizenship
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has clarified that the Aadhaar card is only a proof of identity and residence, not of citizenship. It can be issued to any person who lives in India, whether he is an Indian citizen or not.
Voter ID: Limited Proof
Voter ID card (EPIC) is issued to citizens aged 18 years or above in India to enable them to vote. It provides proof of identity and residence, but alone is not considered sufficient to prove citizenship. However, Delhi Police and some government agencies accept it as a valid proof of citizenship along with passport.
PAN card: has nothing to do with citizenship
PAN card is issued by the Income Tax Department and is only a proof of financial identity. It cannot be used to prove citizenship.
Ration Card: Indirect Support
Ration cards are primarily used for subsidized rations, but they contain name and address information, which can indirectly support citizenship. However, this too is not a sure proof of citizenship.
Which documents are valid?
Passport: This is the strongest proof of citizenship internationally and is issued only to Indian citizens.
- Birth Certificate: This is useful for those who were born in India.
- Citizenship Certificate: It is issued specifically to those who are not Indians by birth but have acquired citizenship later. It is issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs or the District Magistrate.
- Proof of residence before 1950: such as land records or old ration cards, which prove historical residence.
New rules and changes of Indian Citizenship
Recently, the Delhi Police and the Central Government have tightened the rules to prevent the use of fake documents by illegal immigrants, especially those from the Bangladeshi and Rohingya communities. Now only Voter ID and Passport are being considered as primary proof of citizenship.
Election Commission’s stand of Indian Citizenship
The Election Commission has told the Supreme Court that Aadhaar, Voter ID and Ration Card will not be accepted as stand-alone documents for voter list revision (SIR). However, the Supreme Court has asked the Commission to consider including these documents in the list of 11 indicative documents.
ALSO READ: What Is Lip Filler Treatment
