Assam Halts New Aadhaar Registrations for Adults to Curb Illegal Immigration
Guwahati, Assam – August 22, 2025 – In a significant policy shift aimed at addressing illegal immigration, the Assam Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, approved a revised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on August 21, 2025, halting new Aadhaar registrations for adults over 18 years of age starting October 1, 2025. The decision, announced after a cabinet meeting at the State Guest House in Koinadhara, Guwahati, is designed to prevent fraudulent enrollments, particularly by suspected infiltrators from Bangladesh, and marks Assam as the first Indian state to impose such stringent restrictions on Aadhaar issuance.
Policy Details and Implementation
The new SOP stipulates that first-time Aadhaar registrations for adults will be suspended indefinitely after a one-month window from September 1 to September 30, 2025, during which eligible adults without Aadhaar cards can apply. After this period, only “rarest of rare” cases will be considered, with the District Commissioner (DC) holding sole authority to approve enrollments following rigorous verification. This process involves cross-checking applications against reports from the Special Branch of the Assam Police, Foreigners’ Tribunals, and district police to ensure applicants are genuine Indian citizens.
Exceptions have been made for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and tea garden workers, who are granted a one-year extension until October 1, 2026, to complete their Aadhaar registrations. Chief Minister Sarma explained that this exemption accounts for the 96% Aadhaar saturation rate among these communities, compared to 103% for the general population, indicating that 4% of SC, ST, and tea garden workers remain unregistered. Children and newborns, however, face no restrictions and can continue to enroll through the standard process at Aadhaar Seva Kendras.
The policy builds on earlier measures, including a June 2024 cabinet decision to route all adult Aadhaar applications through Deputy Commissioners for enhanced scrutiny. The state’s move aligns with its ongoing efforts to strengthen identity verification, following reports in September 2024 that four Assam districts—Barpeta (103.74%), Dhubri (103.48%), Morigaon (101.76%), and Nagaon (100.86%)—had Aadhaar enrollments exceeding their projected populations, raising concerns about fraudulent registrations.
Rationale: Combating Illegal Immigration
Chief Minister Sarma emphasized that the decision is a proactive measure to safeguard Assam’s demographic and security landscape against illegal immigration, particularly from Bangladesh, with which the state shares a porous 263-km border. “We want to create a protection so that no one can enter Assam illegally, take an Aadhaar, and live as an Indian citizen. We have completely closed that door,” Sarma stated during a post-cabinet press briefing. He cited the state’s continuous efforts to intercept infiltrators, noting that seven were pushed back to Bangladesh on August 20, 2025, alone, though he acknowledged the possibility that some may evade detection.
The Aadhaar saturation rate of 103% in Assam—higher than the state’s population—has fueled suspicions that illegal immigrants may have acquired cards to access welfare benefits or claim citizenship. Sarma highlighted that the policy aims to eliminate such vulnerabilities, particularly in districts like Dhubri, where concerns about pro-Bangladesh sentiments near the sensitive Siliguri Corridor (“Chicken’s Neck”) have been raised. The move is seen as part of Assam’s broader strategy to strengthen border security and uphold the integrity of national identification systems.
Exceptions and Safeguards
The one-year exemption for SC, ST, and tea garden communities reflects the government’s recognition of their lower Aadhaar penetration and socio-economic challenges. These groups, often residing in remote or economically disadvantaged areas, will continue to access enrollment services to ensure they are not excluded from welfare schemes linked to Aadhaar, such as the PM-KISAN scheme, which recently disbursed ₹422 crore to over 20 lakh Assam farmers.
For other adults missing the September window, the “rarest of rare” provision allows applications to be vetted by DCs, who must consult multiple agencies to confirm citizenship. This stringent process aims to deter fraudulent applications while providing a safety net for genuine citizens inadvertently left out. Sarma clarified that the restriction is “irrespective of religion or any other criteria,” underscoring the policy’s focus on security rather than community-specific targeting.
Historical Context and Regional Challenges
Assam’s decision is rooted in its long-standing concerns over illegal immigration, a politically and socially sensitive issue since the Assam Agitation (1979–1985) and the Assam Accord, which set 1971 as the cut-off for recognizing citizenship. The state has implemented measures like the National Register of Citizens (NRC), updated in 2019, to identify legal residents, though the process faced delays and controversies. In 2017, Aadhaar registrations were temporarily halted to prioritize NRC updates, resulting in only 7% of Assam’s population having Aadhaar cards by March that year, compared to the national average.
The state’s proximity to Bangladesh has led to periodic crackdowns on suspected infiltrators, with Sarma noting that hundreds have been apprehended and deported over the past year. The Aadhaar ban complements these efforts, aiming to prevent illegal immigrants from obtaining identity documents that could legitimize their stay. The policy also responds to concerns raised in April 2024, when Sarma highlighted that Bengali-speaking Muslim-majority districts had unusually high Aadhaar enrollments, suggesting possible misuse.
Reactions and Implications
The policy has elicited mixed responses. Supporters, including BJP leaders and local advocacy groups, praise it as a bold step to protect Assam’s demographic integrity and national security. “This is a decisive move to curb infiltration and ensure Aadhaar remains a tool for citizens, not infiltrators,” tweeted @Indian_Analyzer on X. However, critics, including opposition parties like the Congress, argue that the blanket restriction could unfairly burden genuine citizens, particularly those in marginalized communities who missed earlier enrollment opportunities due to logistical or economic barriers.
The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), a key player in the Assam Accord, has cautiously welcomed the move but urged the government to ensure that legitimate residents are not harassed during verification. Immigration experts warn that the policy could set a precedent for other states, with Manipur already adopting similar scrutiny models, though none as restrictive as Assam’s. Nationally, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has introduced amendments to standardize identity verification, but Assam’s policy is the most aggressive, reflecting its unique border security challenges.
Economically, the halt may impact access to Aadhaar-linked welfare schemes for late registrants, though the government insists that the September window and exemptions mitigate this risk. The policy could also strain India-Bangladesh relations if Dhaka perceives it as targeting its nationals, though no official response from Bangladesh has been reported as of August 22, 2025.
National Context and Aadhaar’s Role
Aadhaar, a 12-digit biometric-based unique identification number, is not proof of citizenship under the Aadhaar Act but is critical for accessing government services, banking, and welfare schemes. The UIDAI reports that Aadhaar enrollment typically takes up to 180 days for adults due to verification processes, with 90% of applications meeting quality standards. Assam’s decision to restrict issuance aligns with national efforts to enhance Aadhaar’s integrity, such as UIDAI’s plans to integrate online records like passports and birth certificates for verification.
The policy’s timing, ahead of the 2026 Assam Assembly elections, has sparked speculation about political motives, with the BJP-led government positioning itself as a champion of regional security. However, Sarma has emphasized that the move is apolitical, driven by data showing over-saturation and security risks.
What’s Next for Assam Residents?
For adults without Aadhaar cards, the September 2025 window is critical. They must visit designated Aadhaar Seva Kendras with valid proof of identity and address, as outlined by UIDAI guidelines. Post-October 1, only DCs can approve new enrollments, subject to stringent checks. SC, ST, and tea garden workers have until October 1, 2026, to enroll without additional hurdles. The government has urged residents to act promptly, with Sarma stating, “We’ve given ample time for genuine citizens to secure their Aadhaar cards.”
As Assam implements this unprecedented policy,
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