Himanta Biswa Sarma's Aadhaar Enrollment Restrictions Face Legal Scrutiny

Assam's Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced that his government will restrict the issuance of Aadhaar cards to adults above the age of 18, framing the policy as a necessary step to prevent illegal migrants from acquiring Indian identity documents. The state government now requires district-level clearance for all adult Aadhaar applicants to verify residency and mitigate security risks associated with infiltration.

The policy has triggered a divide among legal experts, who question whether the state, acting as an Aadhaar registrar under the UIDAI framework, possesses the legal authority to impose pre-clearance requirements. Critics argue that the Aadhaar Act 2016 does not provide for district-level screening for all adult applicants, characterizing the move as an overreach of power. Conversely, the Assam government maintains that a verification protocol already exists and that their action is a valid administrative check on immigration.

The situation highlights a complex intersection between state administrative mandates and the central UIDAI Act. As of May 31, 2026, Assam's Aadhaar penetration stands at approximately 91.46%, and the government's stance continues to face scrutiny in light of pending judicial petitions regarding citizenship status and access to identity documentation.