Assam Cabinet Tightens Aadhaar Rules, Restricts Adult Enrolment to Curb Illegal Immigration
Guwahati, June 13: The Assam Cabinet has decided to further tighten Aadhaar enrolment rules by restricting the issuance of Aadhaar cards to individuals above 18 years of age, a move aimed at preventing illegal immigrants from obtaining Indian identity documents.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the decision after a Cabinet meeting, stating that the measure is part of the state’s broader strategy to combat illegal immigration, particularly from neighboring Bangladesh. The government believes stricter Aadhaar verification procedures will help prevent unauthorized individuals from securing official identification and accessing government services.
Under the revised framework, Aadhaar enrolment for adults will be subject to stringent scrutiny. In exceptional cases where Aadhaar issuance is considered necessary, district authorities will be required to conduct detailed verification before approval. The process is expected to involve checks by the Special Branch, local police, and, where applicable, reports from Foreigners Tribunals.
The Chief Minister said the state has been continuously monitoring and intercepting illegal border crossings and wants to close potential loopholes that could allow undocumented migrants to obtain identity documents. According to the government, restricting Aadhaar issuance for adults will strengthen the state’s ability to identify and track unauthorized residents.
However, certain categories, including members of Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and tea garden communities, will continue to receive Aadhaar enrolment access for a limited period, allowing eligible residents who have not yet registered to complete the process.
The decision comes amid the Assam government’s ongoing efforts to address concerns over illegal immigration and demographic changes in the state. Officials have argued that Aadhaar, while not proof of citizenship, is widely used as a key identity document and therefore requires stronger safeguards against misuse.
The move is expected to make Assam one of the most stringent states in the country regarding Aadhaar enrolment for adults. The government maintains that the policy is necessary to protect the integrity of the identification system and strengthen border-state security measures.
Opposition parties and civil society groups are likely to closely watch the implementation of the new rules, with debates expected over the balance between national security concerns and access to identity documentation for legitimate residents.
The Assam government has indicated that detailed operational guidelines for the revised Aadhaar enrolment process will be issued by the concerned departments in the coming months.
The Assam Cabinet’s decision was announced by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on June 13, 2026, as part of the state’s efforts to prevent illegal immigrants from obtaining Aadhaar cards through fraudulent enrolment.
This is a developing story. More updates will follow as new information becomes available.
