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The verification process has revealed that many applicants, particularly those from Nepal, submit documents such as IT PANs and backdated rental agreements, making it difficult to determine the authenticity of their claims
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These discrepancies are often caught during physical verification, leading to a high rejection rate
The recent changes in Aadhaar enrolment rules have made it difficult for Overseas Citizens of India (OCI), like Sunil M. from Dallas, US, to obtain an Aadhaar card during their short stays in India. Sunil, who needed an Aadhaar card to activate a SIM card and open a UPI account, was informed that his enrolment could not proceed due to new regulations implemented in December 2023.
Under these new rules, any individual over the age of 18 must prove that they have resided in India for at least 182 days in the preceding 12 months to be eligible for Aadhaar enrolment.
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While Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) also need to undergo verification, they are exempt from the 182-day residency rule, as they possess Indian documents
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However, many OCI applicants are facing rejection or prolonged delays in their applications
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According to Bengaluru district officials, thousands of applications have been denied since the new rules came into effect, with approximately 10,000 still pending verification
This requirement, which applies to OCIs as well as foreign nationals holding valid long-term visas, is now verified by local Revenue authorities. The process is similar to passport verification, according to officials from the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).
These stricter regulations were introduced to curb illegal enrolments of Aadhaar by individuals entering the country with invalid documents. A government order issued in October 2023, prior to the implementation of these changes, stated that fraudulent enrolments could pose risks to national security, especially since Aadhaar serves as a primary identification document in India.
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