EPFO removes Aadhaar as proof of date of birth | Fusion - WeRIndia

Amidst recent developments, the Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) has declared a significant change regarding the acceptable documents for proof of date of birth.

As of January 16, the Aadhaar card will no longer be recognized for this purpose.

This move comes after a directive from the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), prompting the EPFO to align its policies accordingly.

According to UIDAI’s Circular No. 08 of 2023, it was observed that Aadhaar was being used as proof of date of birth by beneficiaries, even though the Aadhaar Act of 2016 does not recognize it as such.

The UIDAI clarified that while Aadhaar serves as a unique identifier, it does not constitute proof of birth.

Following the UIDAI directive, the EPFO promptly removed Aadhaar from the list of acceptable documents for correcting the date of birth.

This alteration specifically affects Table B of Annexure-1 of the Joint Declaration Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued earlier.

The decision received approval from the Central Provident Fund Commissioner.

The Internal System Division has been directed to make necessary modifications to the application software in line with the updated guidelines.

The EPFO’s decision to remove Aadhaar aligns with the UIDAI’s directive and reinforces the legal stance on Aadhaar’s limitations.

EPFO members and entities involved in date of birth corrections are urged to take note of this crucial change.

UIDAI’s emphasis on Aadhaar as an identity verification tool, rather than proof of birth, is underlined by the legal framework outlined in the Aadhaar Act of 2016.

To comply with the updated guidelines, EPFO has now outlined specific documents that will be considered valid proof of date of birth.

These include the following:

• Birth Certificate issued by the Registrar of Births and Deaths
• Marksheet from a recognized Government Board or University
• School Leaving Certificate
• PAN card
• Certificate based on service records
• Pension Payment Order
• Domicile Certificate issued by the Government
• Medical Certificate supported by an affidavit on oath duly authenticated by a Competent Court.

This change emphasizes the EPFO’s commitment to accurate documentation and legal compliance, reflecting a proactive approach to aligning its procedures with prevailing regulations.

Image Credit: This is the logo for Unique Identification Authority of India., CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Source: http://uidai.gov.in

Image Reference: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aadhaar_Logo.jpg