Aadhaar Rules Change: Several important changes to the rules related to Aadhaar cards are set to be implemented before the new year 2026. From December 2025, the UIDAI’s main objective is to make Aadhaar-related data more secure and reduce the possibilities of its misuse. In this direction, changes are being made to the format of the Aadhaar card, identity verification methods, and rules related to Aadhaar-PAN linking, which will directly affect ordinary citizens.
Changed Aadhaar Card Format
Considering the increasing incidents of digital fraud and data theft, the UIDAI has implemented a new design for the Aadhaar card from December 1, 2025. This new Aadhaar card will only contain the cardholder’s photo and a secure QR code. Neither the name nor the Aadhaar number will be printed on it. The UIDAI has set June 14, 2026, as the last date for updating to this new format. The aim is to ensure that even if a copy of the Aadhaar reaches the wrong person, it cannot be misused. However, the old Aadhaar cards will also remain fully valid.
Moving Away from Physical Photocopies
Under the new rules, the need to provide physical copies of Aadhaar will be reduced. For identity verification, digital options such as QR code scanning, offline Aadhaar XML, and masked Aadhaar will now be given priority. The UIDAI believes that the risk of data leakage is highest through photocopies of Aadhaar; therefore, digital verification is being adopted as a more secure option.
Face Authentication Given Validity
Under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, face authentication is now being given legal recognition. This means that face recognition will be considered a valid and secure method for identity verification. This will further strengthen Aadhaar verification in banking services, government schemes, and other digital services.
Last Date for Aadhaar-PAN Linking
The last date for linking Aadhaar and PAN has been set as December 31, 2025. If the PAN is not linked to Aadhaar by this date, it will become inactive from January 1, 2026. This could impact filing income tax returns, receiving refunds, and various financial transactions.
Updating Aadhaar cards older than 10 years is mandatory
For Aadhaar cards that are more than 10 years old, updating demographic information is considered essential. Keeping information such as name, date of birth, and address updated ensures the validity of the Aadhaar card and prevents any problems during future verification processes.
What steps should you take now?
If you haven’t linked your Aadhaar and PAN yet, complete the process before December 31, 2025. Use a digital or masked Aadhaar for identity verification and avoid sharing the physical copy of your Aadhaar unnecessarily. Also, if your Aadhaar is quite old, update your information as advised by UIDAI.
Identity will be more secure than before
Overall, these changes related to Aadhaar are a significant step towards making citizens’ identities more secure and digital. Taking the necessary updates and precautions in time can save you from financial and legal difficulties in the future.