Will your Aadhaar card be invalid after June 14? Know the truth

Aadhaar card owners are in a dilemma especially after several media reports claimed that Aadhaar will become invalid after June 14 if they are not updated. Reports have said the government of India is urging users to update their Aadhaar details mandatorily if they were never updated in the last 10 years. So, what is the truth behind it? Has the government made updating the Aadhaar card mandatory? Will Aadhaar cards that do not comply with the mandate expire? We have got you covered.

What is the Aadhaar card truth?

According to Newschecker, the media reports claiming mandatory change to Aadhaar cards are partly false. Citing a Press Information Bureau release, the fact-checker said the government made it mandatory to update Aadhaar details 10 years after the enrolment date. “Residents who had got their Aadhaar issued 10 years ago, and have never updated after that in these years, such Aadhaar number holders are encouraged to get their documents updated,” said the release. That simply means that while the government encourages citizens to keep their details up-to-date, it is not compulsory for them even after 10 years.

“However, it is recommended that your Aadhaar card be updated after 10 years to ensure it is up-to-date and accurate,” the report quoted ClearTax’s FAQ section updated. Unique Identification Authority of India’s website does not have a circular or notice saying that Aadhaar cards must be updated 10 years after enrolment or else they will become invalid.

The June 14 deadline, however, is partly true for people who want to make changes to their Aadhaar information without a fee. The government had extended the March 14 deadline to June 14 to allow citizens the ability to make changes, after which they will need to pay UIDAI for every change.

What you should do

If you want to change your address, phone number, or name’s spelling in your Aadhaar, you can do it for free until June 14. The government may start charging you after that for such changes. You should also update your Aadhaar details voluntarily to keep it up-to-date. But rest assured, your Aadhaar card will not become inactive even without changes.