Context: The Supreme Court's recent ruling on Aadhaar cards not being valid proof of age has garnered significant attention, particularly in relation to compensation claims for motor vehicle accidents. The case involved the family of a man who died in an accident, with the compensation amount hinging on his age as listed on various documents, including his Aadhaar card and School Leaving Certificate.

Why Did the Court Issue This Ruling? (Background)

• The ruling was prompted by a compensation dispute involving the deceased’s age.

• Initially, the Punjab & Haryana High Court used the age listed on the Aadhaar card to calculate compensation, applying a specific multiplier based on that age.

• However, the family contended that the School Leaving Certificate indicated a different age, warranting a higher compensation amount.

• The Supreme Court criticized the lower court's reliance on the Aadhaar card, referencing established legal precedents and provisions that designate specific documents (like the School Leaving Certificate) as valid proof of age.

• The court emphasized the importance of using verified educational documents rather than Aadhaar, which was primarily intended as proof of identity.

What Did the SC Say Now?

• The Supreme Court, in its judgement, reiterated that Aadhaar should not be considered proof of age. It cited:

• Section 94 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015: This section specifies that matriculation or equivalent certificates are acceptable for determining age.

• Previous Supreme Court Rulings: The court referred to a 2018 ruling that characterized Aadhaar as proof of identity, explicitly stating it does not serve as proof of date of birth.

• The court overturned the Punjab & Haryana High Court’s decision, establishing that the School Leaving Certificate should be used to determine the age for calculating compensation, ultimately awarding the family Rs 15 lakh based on the correct multiplier.

Impact

• The ruling has significant implications for how Aadhaar is utilized in legal and administrative contexts.

• Aadhaar was mooted first as a “unique ID (UID) for below-poverty-line families” to access government schemes, and then as a national exercise to register and issue unique IDs to every resident in India.

• It reinforces the notion that while Aadhaar serves as a crucial tool for identity verification, it is not a comprehensive solution for all identification needs, particularly those requiring age verification.

• This decision may lead to a reevaluation of Aadhaar's role in various administrative processes and bolster the reliance on more traditional forms of documentation for specific legal purposes.

• Additionally, it underscores the ongoing dialogue regarding privacy and the appropriate use of personal data in India’s legal framework.

What alternative documents can be used for verifying the DoB following this ruling?

• School Leaving Certificate/Matriculation Certificate: This is often considered the most reliable document for verifying the age of an individual, as it is issued based on records from the time of schooling.

• Birth Certificate: The birth certificate remains the primary document for establishing a person’s date of birth as it is issued by a government authority at the time of birth.

• Passport: As an official government document that undergoes strict verification, the passport can serve as valid proof of age.

• Government-issued Certificates (e.g., PAN Card): While not always requested for age verification, documents like the PAN card can also be used in some cases where other primary documents are unavailable.

• Driver’s License or Voter ID (if Date of Birth is Mentioned): These documents, where the date of birth is explicitly recorded, could be used as supporting evidence for age verification.

Road Ahead

• Strengthen Guidelines for Acceptable Age Verification Documents: Government agencies, financial institutions, and service providers should clearly outline which documents are accepted for age verification, prioritizing reliable records like birth certificates and school certificates to ensure consistency and compliance.

• Enhance Public Awareness on Aadhaar’s Usage Limitations: The government should initiate campaigns to educate citizens about Aadhaar’s limitations as age proof and encourage the use of appropriate documents for age-related matters, reducing confusion and potential legal disputes.