A tightening of rules governing changes to the date of birth (DOB) on Aadhaar cards has left many residents across Odisha facing prolonged difficulties.
Despite repeated visits to Jana Seva Kendras, citizens report little clarity or resolution under the revised guidelines issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).
The updated Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has significantly limited the scope for corrections, particularly affecting individuals whose DOB details do not match across official documents.
Repeated Visits, No Resolution
Several residents say they have been redirected from one service centre to another without success. The issue is especially acute for those whose Aadhaar records differ from documents such as voter ID cards, causing obstacles in accessing government schemes, pensions, and age-based services.
Naba Kishore Rana, a resident of Ward No. 12 in Balasore town, shared his experience. While his voter ID lists his age as 67, his Aadhaar card reflects 65.
“We tried multiple times to update the Aadhaar record, but every office sent us elsewhere. Different officials suggested different methods, yet nothing worked,” he said.
Impact on Essential Services
The problem extends beyond welfare benefits and affects daily administrative needs. Bulu Raut, from the Kamalapada area in Ganjam district, said inconsistent birth details are preventing him from applying for a passport.
“My birth certificate and Aadhaar card have different dates of birth. Without correction, I will face serious problems during passport verification,” he said.
What the New UIDAI Rules State
Earlier, Aadhaar holders were allowed to update their DOB multiple times using affidavits and supporting documents. However, following reports of misuse to access age-linked benefits, UIDAI has withdrawn all previous SOPs.
Under the revised rules:
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Each individual can have only one officially recorded date of birth
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General DOB corrections are no longer permitted
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Changes are allowed only in exceptional cases, such as:
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Errors made by enrolment operators
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Incorrect details recorded for minors
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A birth certificate is now the only legally accepted document
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The DOB correction facility can be used only once in a lifetime
Experts Raise Concerns
The stricter regulations have drawn criticism from experts and civil society voices. Odisha-based commentator Anindya Panda expressed concern over the practical impact of the rules.
“Dates of birth on Aadhaar cards cannot be updated now, and ordinary people are facing unnecessary harassment. These rules were introduced without fully considering the real-life challenges faced by citizens,” he said.
Growing Call for Review
As Aadhaar is increasingly linked to essential services, experts and residents alike are calling for clearer communication, better grievance redressal mechanisms, and a review of the rules to balance fraud prevention with public convenience.
