“Aadhaar valid ID for voter list, but not citizenship: Supreme Court to poll body”, India Today, September 8, 2025:
“In a key ruling concerning the ongoing controversy over voter list revision in Bihar, the Supreme Court has clarified that Aadhaar cards shall be accepted as one of the documents for establishing identity for the purpose of inclusion or exclusion in the revised electoral rolls.
The court ordered that Aadhaar be treated as the 12th document in the list of acceptable identity proofs under the voter registration framework. This inclusion aligns with provisions under the Representation of the People Act, 1950, which allow for various documents to be used in establishing the identity of voters.
However, the court drew a clear legal distinction between identity and citizenship, emphasising that while Aadhaar can help establish identity, it cannot be used as proof of Indian citizenship. Citing the Aadhaar Act and relevant statutory provisions, the court reiterated: “We clarify Aadhaar card is not proof of citizenship and will not be accepted as proof of citizenship…….”
Read the full article at Indiatoday.com
The Supreme Court’s clarification rightly separates identity from citizenship. Allowing Aadhaar as valid ID for voter lists ensures convenience, but reaffirming that it’s not proof of citizenship protects against misuse. This distinction upholds both administrative efficiency and constitutional safeguards in the electoral process.