INDIA: Government Extends Deadline for Linking Aadhaar Number

March 16, 2018

The Supreme Court of India has extended the 31^st March 2018 deadline for residents to link their Aadhaar numbers to their bank account, mobile SIM card, PAN (Permanent Account Number) card and other services and schemes until it has delivered its verdict on the constitutional validity of the biometric identification number and its enabling law.

On 13^th December 2017, the court extended the deadline until 31^st March 2018.

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), which issues Aadhaar, has clarified that the requirement of Aadhaar for opening new bank accounts will continue, while the deadline for linking it to existing bank accounts, mobile and PAN has been extended by the Supreme Court.

Background

Aadhaar is a 12-digit unique identification number issued on a card by the Indian government to every individual resident of India.

The Finance Act 2017 made it mandatory to quote an Aadhaar number to file income tax returns (ITR) or to apply for or renew a PAN (Permanent Account Number).

Then, as we reported here, the Indian Ministry of Finance issued a notification exempting certain taxpayers, including foreign nationals, from the requirement to submit an Aadhaar number when filing tax returns.

Currently, foreign nationals who have been resident in India for more than 182 days in the previous 12 months are advised to submit an Aadhaar number with their tax return, and Aadhaar is intended to be a requirement for banking, mobile phone and other services.

Our Advice

Foreign nationals resident in India are advised to obtain an Aadhaar number soon enough to allow time to link it to their bank, mobile phone and insurance accounts before the eventual deadline.

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