The Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) has issued a circular dated January 16, 2024, announcing the removal of Aadhaar from the list of acceptable documents as proof of date of birth (DoB) following a directive from the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) as detailed in Circular No. 08 of 2023. This decision affects the process for correction in the date of birth and is in line with the Aadhaar Act, 2016, which does not consider Aadhaar as a proof of date of birth. The circular also references supporting documents for Aadhaar enrollment and mentions that verification of the enrollment and update data shall be performed as provided in Schedule III. The circular is signed by Sushant Kandwal, RPFC-I (WSU) and was issued with the approval of the CPFC. Additionally, a circular from the UIDAI emphasizes that Aadhaar should not be considered a proof of date of birth and cites a memorandum from MeitY and a judgment by the Hon’ble High Court of Bombay to support this position.
EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION MINISTRY OF LABOUR & EMPLOYMENT GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
Head Office Bhavishya Nidhi Bhawan, 14, Bhikaiji Cama Place, New Delhi-110066 No: WSU/2024/1/UIDAI Matter/4090 Date: 16.01.2024
To
All ACC (Zones) All RPFC (Regional offices) and Office in charge of ROs
Sub: Removal of Aadhaar from the list of acceptable documents as a Date of Birth Proof-reg
Ref: SOP on Joint Declaration issued vide circular no- WSU/2022/Rationalisation of work areas/Joint Declaration (E-54018)/3638 dated 22/08/2023
Madam/Sir,
Please refer to subject cited above,
2. In this connection, a letter has been received from UIDAI (copy attached), wherein it has been stated that use of Aadhaar, as a proof of DoB needs to be deleted from the list of acceptable documents.
3. Accordingly, the Aadhaar is being removed from the list of acceptable documents for correction in date of birth as mentioned in Table-B of Annexure -1 of the JD SOP under reference.
(This issues with the approval of CPFC)
(Sushant Kandwal) RPFC-I (WSU)
Copy to: 1. FA and CAO, CVO, Director PDNASS for information please
2. All ACC(HQs) Head office and All ACCs and RPFCs(Head office) for information please. 3. ISD necessary modifications in application software.
F. No. HQ-13065/1/2022-AUTH-I HQ /8075 Unique Identification Authority of India (Authentication and Verification Division)
UIDAI Headquarter Bangla Sahib Road, Behind Kali Mandir Gale Market, New Delhi — 110 001 Dated: 22.12.2023
Circular No. 08 of 2023 Subject: Accepting Aadhaar as a proof of Date of Birth (DoB) — regarding.
It has been observed that AUAs/KUAs are considering and accepting Aadhaar card / e-Aadhaar as one of the acceptable documents for proof of Date of Birth (DoB). 2. In this regard, it is pertinent to mention that, Aadhaar is a unique 12 digit ID issued to a resident after he/she undergoes the enrolment process by submitting his/her demographic and biometric information. Once a resident is assigned an Aadhaar number, it can he used to authenticate the resident through various modes as prescribed under Aadhaar Act, 2016 and Regulations framed there under.
3. At the time of enrolment/updation, UIDAI records DoB as claimed by the resident, on the basis of the documents submitted by them, as specified under the list of supporting documents for Aadhaar enrolment, provided on the UIDAI website (https://uidai.gov.in/images/commdoc/26 JAN 2023 Aadhaar List of documents English.pdf). Further, it is to be noted that Regulations 10(4) and 19A of the Aadhaar (Enrolment and Update) Regulations, 2016, mention that verification of the enrolment and update data shall be performed as provided in Schedule III.
4. In this regard, attention is drawn towards Office Memorandum dated 20.12.2018 issued by MeitY through UIDAI, wherein it has been stated that “An Aadhaar number can he used for establishing identity of an individual subject to authentication and thereby, per .ce its not a proof of dale of birth” (copy enclosed).
5. This aspect of the Aadhaar Act, 2016 has been reiterated/highlighted/stressed upon by different High Courts in recent judgments. The most recent one is given by the Hon’ble High Court of Bombay, in the case of State of Maharashtra V/s Unique Identification Authority of India And Ors. dated 28.07.2023 (copy enclosed).
6. In view of the above, it is required that use of Aadhaar, as a proof of DoB needs to be deleted from the list of acceptable documents.
7. This issues with the approval of the Competent Authority.
Encl.: As above.
(Sanjeev Yadav) Director Tel: 011-23478609 Email: dirl.auth-hq@uidai.net.in