Uttar Pradesh Declares Aadhaar Invalid as Proof of Date of Birth

Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government has formally directed all departments to stop accepting Aadhaar cards as valid proof of date of birth. The order, issued by the state Planning Department on November 24, instructs departmental heads to treat Aadhaar as ineligible for use in place of a birth certificate.

The circular cites a communication from the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), dated October 31, 2025, which clearly states that an Aadhaar card should not be considered evidence of a person’s birth. The Planning Department noted that since Aadhaar numbers are issued without attaching any birth certificate, the document cannot serve as official proof of birth.

Amit Bansal, Special Secretary of the department, confirmed that Aadhaar will no longer be recognised as proof of birth or date of birth in Uttar Pradesh. The directive comes amid reports that several government offices were still accepting Aadhaar for this purpose despite earlier clarifications.

The UIDAI letter, signed by Deputy Director Aditya Prakash Bajpai of the Lucknow Regional Office, pointed out that some departments continued to rely on Aadhaar as birth proof, prompting the state to reiterate its instructions. The circular now requires all departments to immediately discontinue the practice.

Officials clarified that individuals will need to present accepted documents such as birth certificates, high-school mark sheets, or other approved records to verify their date of birth in official procedures.

Senior officers said the order is especially relevant for processes where age determines eligibility, including government recruitment and admissions to educational institutions. Departments have been advised to thoroughly check supporting documents to ensure accurate verification of date of birth.