SC extends Aadhaar linking deadline for all services indefinitely: Updates

The Supreme Court on Tuesday extended the March 31 deadline for linking Aadhaar to various government schemes, as well as mobile phones and bank accounts.

A five-judge Constitution bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A K Sikri, A M Khanwilkar, D Y Chandrachud and Ashok Bhushan heard a clutch of pleas seeking a stay on government's decision of mandatory linking of Aadhaar with welfare schemes, as well as essential services like banking and phone.

In its order, the apex court ruled that the deadlines for linking to the Unique Identification number stand extended till it decides on its validity.
Aadhaar will be necessary only for social schemes, said the top court, which is hearing a bunch of petitions that have challenged the validity of the 12-digit number.

Earlier, the Centre had told the Supreme Court that the government could extend the March 31 deadline for linking Aadhaar to various government schemes, as well as mobile phones and bank accounts, if required.