The central government has taken an important decision regarding proof of Indian citizenship. From now on, only the Voter ID card or Passport will be considered valid documents for proving Indian citizenship. Documents like Aadhaar card, PAN card, and Ration card will no longer be accepted as valid proofs of citizenship. This step has been taken mainly to identify and control illegal immigrants.
What’s the Matter?
A senior Delhi Police official explained that during a recent verification drive, it was discovered that many illegal immigrants—especially from Bangladesh and the Rohingya community—had obtained Aadhaar, Ration, and PAN cards and were using them to falsely claim Indian citizenship. Hence, the government has now decided that only the Voter ID or Passport will be accepted as proof of citizenship.
Why This Rule Has Been Introduced
The decision by the central government aims to assist security agencies in identifying illegal residents and ensuring national security. Citizens are advised to keep their Voter ID and Passport updated and safe, as these will now be prioritised in all future government services and processes. A senior official from the Ministry of Home Affairs stated, “Several cases have come to light where foreign nationals misused fake documents to access benefits meant for Indian citizens. This will now be strictly controlled.”
What Will Be the Impact?
This decision will affect those who have so far considered Aadhaar or PAN cards as proof of citizenship. The government clarified that while Aadhaar and PAN are valid for identity verification, they do not prove citizenship. This move is seen as a crucial step towards national security and population management. In the coming days, this policy is expected to help bring more transparency in matters related to citizenship.