Schools can't deny admission for lack of Aadhaar: UIDAI

The UIDAI on Wednesday asked schools not to refuse admission to students for want of Aadhaar.

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), in a circular to State chief secretaries/Lt Governors of Union Territories, said: "Some instances have come to our notice that a few schools are denying admission to children for want of Aadhaar. Such denial is invalid and not permitted under the law."

The Authority instructed schools to ensure that no child is denied admission and other facilities for lack of Aadhaar.

“It is the responsibility of the schools to hold special camps in coordination with local banks, post offices, state education department and district administration to facilitate the entire process,” UIDAI CEO Ajay Bhushan Pandey said in a statement here.

The UIDAI diktat will bring relief to parents and students left in the lurch when schools insist on Aadhaar number at the time of admission.

For children who are not yet assigned an Aadhaar number or those whose biometrics are not updated in the database, the UIDAI has asserted that under Aadhaar rules it will be the "responsibility" of schools to arrange for enrolments and biometric updation of such students.

Obligatory

The UIDAI also said that it is "obligatory" on the part of states to arrange - through its education department and district administration - Aadhaar enrolment camps in schools at least twice a year. A roster should be drawn up for this, it added.

The UIDAI said since the 12-digit identifier is being sought from school children for admission, obtaining scholarships and attending boards, competitive and other examinations, it is important that schools provide Aadhaar enrolment and biometric updatation facility to students.

Also, mandatory updation of biometrics in Aadhaar database is required for children on attaining the age of 5-15 years to ascertain validity of their Aadhaar number assigned earlier, said the circular.

"Till Aadhaar number is assigned or biometrics are updated for such students, all facilities should be extended through alternative means of identification...," the UIDAI said.