The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has removed Aadhaar card from the list of valid documents accepted as proof for date of birth.
EPFO, which comes under the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment, has issued a circular to all its zonal and regional offices to implement the new directive. It has also directed the Internal System Division to make necessary modifications.
Why was Aadhaar removed as proof for date of birth?
EPFO, in circular No. WSU/2024/1/UIDAI Matter/4090, has revealed that the decision was made following approval from the Central Provident Fund Commissioner as per a directive issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). UIDAI, in its circular, No. 08 of 2023), stated that Aadhaar is a unique identifier and hence can be used as a proof of identity and address. However, it pointed out that Aadhaar is not recognised as a proof of date of birth as per Aadhaar Act, 2016.
“It is pertinent to mention that, Aadhaar is a unique 12 digit ID issued to a resident after he/she undergoes the enrolment process by submitting his/her demographic and biometric information. At the time of enrolment/updation, UIDAI records DoB as claimed by the resident, on the basis of the documents submitted by them, as specified under the list of supporting documents for Aadhaar enrolment, provided on the UIDAI website,” UIDAI said.
List of valid documents
- Birth certificate
- Mark sheet issued by a government board or university
- School Leaving Certificate, School Transfer Certificate or SSC certificate
- PAN card
- Passport
- Certificate based on service records
- Pension payment order issued by the Centre or a state
- Domicile certificate issued by the government
- Medical certificate issued by the Civil Surgeon
- Other documents issued by the government
