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The governments of Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra have issued strict directives regarding the use of Aadhaar cards as proof of date of birth (DOB). Both states have clarified that Aadhaar cannot be considered an official document to verify birth dates. Additionally, Maharashtra has ordered a review of all late birth certificates issued solely based on Aadhaar data.

The Uttar Pradesh government has referred to the UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India) regional office in Lucknow, stating that Aadhaar cannot serve as proof of date of birth. Several departments were reportedly still accepting Aadhaar for DOB verification, which violates UIDAI regulations.

The state order explicitly instructs all government departments to stop accepting Aadhaar as a DOB document. Officials have been directed to ensure that future applications, services, or verifications do not use Aadhaar to validate a person’s birth date. The government emphasized that Aadhaar is strictly an identity verification document and should not be treated as legal proof of birth.

Maharashtra has taken a firmer stance by instructing authorities to cancel any late birth certificates issued solely based on Aadhaar details. Several tehsildar offices had reportedly issued certificates without supporting documents like school records, hospital reports, or local government certificates, relying only on Aadhaar.

The state government stated that in cases of errors or complaints, executive magistrates or tehsildars are responsible for reviewing these certificates. This move aligns with provisions under the Births & Deaths Registration Act, 1969 and standard operating procedures of the public health department.

While Aadhaar cannot serve as DOB proof, Maharashtra clarified that it may still be used for other purposes, such as identity verification or supporting documentation in non-DOB-related processes. Moreover, the state has instructed that all orders issued by deputy tehsildars after the 11 August 2023 amendment to the Births and Deaths Registration Act should be reviewed at the district collector level.

The states’ rationale stems from the fact that birth dates in Aadhaar are self-declared by residents and often lack verification from official records. Since birth certificates are legal documents used for school admission, passport issuance, pensions, property registrations, and other legal processes, ensuring their authenticity is critical.

By limiting reliance on Aadhaar for DOB verification and reviewing late birth certificates, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra aim to enhance the credibility of official records and prevent discrepancies in legal documentation.

Summary:

• Aadhaar cannot be used as official proof of date of birth in UP and Maharashtra.

• Maharashtra will review late birth certificates issued based solely on Aadhaar.

• Aadhaar remains valid for identity verification but not for legal birth documentation.

• The move strengthens the reliability of birth and death records for legal and administrative purposes.