Assam Stops Aadhaar Cards for New Applicants Over 18, Gives One-Year Break to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) & Tea Tribes.
Guwahati, August 21, 2025 — In a strong effort to stop fake Aadhaar registrations and illegal immigration, the Assam government has stopped issuing Aadhaar cards to people aged 18 and older—except for those from Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and tea tribes communities. Officials have confirmed that these exceptions will last for one year.
What’s Behind the Policy Change?
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that the new rules aim to stop infiltrators—especially from across the international border—from getting Aadhaar cards and pretending to be Indian citizens. In the past year, authorities have caught and sent back several illegal migrants; however, there are still security worries.
Interestingly, Assam’s Aadhaar saturation rate among the general population has gone over 103%, which means there are more Aadhaar cards than what the census predicts—this shows there might be data issues. But communities like SC, ST, and tea tribes are still around 96% saturation, meaning many people from these groups still don’t have Aadhaar cards.
What Does the Policy Mean in Real Life?
Starting in October 2025, people over 18 will not be able to get first-time Aadhaar cards, stopping adult registrations—except for the groups that are exempt.
There will be a one-month period in September for any eligible adult to apply, after which the new rule will start.
The one-year exemption means that SC, ST, and tea garden communities will still be able to get Aadhaar cards until August 2026.
In rare and exceptional cases, District Commissioners (DCs) may issue Aadhaar cards following stringent verification—including scrutiny by the Special Branch and Foreigners Tribunal. Why These Communities? The exemption acknowledges that communities such as tea garden workers and Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) groups are under-enrolled in the Aadhaar system and may face hurdles accessing essential services without proper documentation. CM Sarma highlighted this to ensure genuine citizens from these communities are not disadvantage.Additionally, the Assam government’s earlier policy drafts—announced in June—proposed that only DCs could approve Aadhaar applications for adults, reflecting a tighter security stance.
Effective Date: October 2025 (with a September application window)
Who Is Exempt:
Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes(ST), and tea garden communities (for one year)
Reason for Action: Curtail fraudulent Aadhaar issuance and prevent illegal immigration
Verification Authority: District Commissioners, with possible reports from Special Branch/Tribunal
Saturation Statistics: General population at 103%; Scheduled Castes (SC),Scheduled Tribes(ST), Tea Tribes at ~96% saturation
Broader Implications
Security First: The measure seeks to fortify Assam’s demographic integrity amid persistent cross-border challenges.
Protecting Genuine Citizens: By allowing limited exemptions and administrative oversight, the government aims to safeguard citizens’ rights while maintaining control.
Administrative Pressure: Empowering DCs to approve Aadhaar cards will likely increase administrative load and prompt calls for enhanced staffing and infrastructure.
