GUWAHATI, August 21, 2025: In a significant move aimed at tightening identity verification, the Assam Cabinet has approved a revised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Aadhaar enrolment, restricting new Aadhaar issuance for individuals above 18 years of age.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that new Aadhaar cards will not be issued to citizens above 18 after this month, except in the “rarest of rare cases” with approval from the respective Deputy Commissioner (DC). The decision, he said, was taken to prevent fraudulent enrolment by illegal infiltrators and to protect Assam’s geographical identity.
However, the Cabinet approved exceptions for historically excluded groups, including Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Tea Garden communities. Individuals from these sections who have not yet been enrolled will remain eligible for Aadhaar enrolment for the next one year.
District Commissioners have been authorized to process applications in exceptional cases, with strict oversight to ensure transparency and accountability.
ALSO READ: New Healthcare Boost for Barak Valley with Major Medical Infrastructure Projects
CM Sarma reiterated that the measure was necessary, stating, “In Assam, barring a few sections of people for whom we are making exceptions, everyone else has already received Aadhaar. This new system ensures a robust mechanism to check applications by illegal infiltrators.”
The move forms part of Assam’s wider effort to strengthen demographic safeguards, while also addressing long-pending demands to curb illegal immigration into the state.
Alongside this decision, the Cabinet also approved the naming of the new four-lane elevated corridor from Dighalipukhuri to Noonmati as the “Maharaj Prithu Flyover”, in honour of the valiant king.
