The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has set September 14 as the deadline for updating Aadhaar cards issued more than ten years ago. After this date, individuals will need to provide proof of identity and address documents for revalidation, incurring a ₹ 50 fine. This article explains the update process and addresses the controversy surrounding Aadhaar card de-linking in West Bengal.
The Supreme Court of India has ruled that a transgender identity certificate issued by the district magistrate under the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 will be accepted as valid documentation for applying for a PAN card. This decision comes after a transgender activist, Reshma Prasad, filed a petition highlighting the lack of a ‘third gender’ option on PAN cards, unlike Aadhaar. The Union government has agreed to the request and may consider incorporating it into official rules.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has introduced Aadhaar authentication for candidates registering and appearing for exams, aiming to combat forgery and malpractice. This decision follows a recent case involving a former IAS probationer accused of cheating and abusing reservation quotas. The move highlights the UPSC’s commitment to ensuring fair and transparent examination processes.
The GST Council has approved biometric-based Aadhaar authentication for combating fake invoicing. The council also discussed bringing petrol and diesel under GST, a uniform rate for milk cans, and GST exemption for Indian Railways’ services. Other news includes the Speaker Protem row, Paytm layoff allegations, IMD weather updates, and the formation of a high-level committee for NEET 2024.
The adoption rate of Aadhaar-enabled payments has witnessed a significant surge in Jammu and Kashmir and the northeast Indian states, according to a recent study by fintech start-up PayNearby. Meghalaya emerged as the frontrunner with a staggering 1000% jump in transaction value and a 712% rise in volume for Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS). Other states like Nagaland and Assam also recorded substantial increases in these metrics. MicroATM transactions in Mizoram and Meghalaya saw significant growth in both value and volume, while J&K’s retail stores experienced a 31% increase in both aspects. PayNearby’s report highlights the growing role of retail outlets in providing easy access to banking services in regions where traditional bank branches may be scarce.
