Aadhaar Overhaul New Residency Rules Challenge OCIs and NRIs

New Aadhaar Rules Impacting Overseas Citizens and Non-Residents

India has introduced significant changes to the application process for Aadhaar, the country's unique identification number. These new regulations specifically affect Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), mandating that individuals over the age of 18 must demonstrate that they have resided in India for at least 182 days during the previous year to qualify for Aadhaar enrolment.

Overview of the New Rules

The updated regulations stipulate that all applicants for Aadhaar must prove their residency in India for the requisite 182 days. This rule applies not only to OCIs and NRIs but also to foreign nationals and other potential applicants. The primary objective of this measure is to ensure that only individuals with a genuine connection to India are granted an Aadhaar number, thereby reducing the risk of fraudulent applications.

Verification Process

Residency verification is now the responsibility of Revenue officials, akin to the procedures used in passport checks. This rigorous verification process has led to a slowdown in the Aadhaar enrolment process, resulting in many applications being delayed or rejected. Officials are carefully scrutinizing each application to determine whether applicants meet the new residency criteria, which has introduced significant hurdles for many.

Impact on Aadhaar Applications

The implementation of these new rules has had a substantial impact on Aadhaar applications. In cities like Bengaluru, thousands of applications have been rejected, and approximately 10,000 applications are still awaiting verification. The backlog has been exacerbated by the challenges applicants face in providing the necessary documentation to prove their residency in India.

Challenges for OCIs and NRIs

While NRIs are not subject to the 182-day residency requirement, they still encounter difficulties during the verification process. OCIs, particularly those from countries such as Nepal, face additional challenges due to discrepancies in their documentation. Issues often arise when there are mismatches between dates on rental agreements and tax records, complicating the verification process.

Reasons for the Changes

The Indian government implemented these changes primarily for national security purposes. Given that Aadhaar serves as a key form of identification within the country, the government aims to prevent fraudulent applications that could pose security risks. By tightening the rules surrounding Aadhaar enrolment, officials seek to ensure that Aadhaar numbers are issued only to individuals with legitimate ties to India.

Conclusion

The recent changes to Aadhaar application procedures have introduced significant challenges for OCIs, NRIs, and other applicants. As the government seeks to enhance the integrity of the Aadhaar system, it is crucial for potential applicants to be aware of these new residency requirements and the verification process to avoid delays or rejections in their applications.