If Not Aadhaar, PAN Or Voter ID, Then What? Know How To Prove Your Citizenship

Amid ongoing debates surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar ahead of polls, the Supreme Court of India has reinforced the Election Commission’s stance that Aadhaar cannot be treated as conclusive proof of citizenship.

A Bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi ruled that the authority to decide on the inclusion or exclusion of names from the electoral rolls rests solely with the Election Commission of India (ECI). This observation has sparked fresh public discussion on which documents are valid to establish Indian citizenship.

Why Aadhaar is Not Considered Proof of Citizenship

During the hearing, the court emphasised, “The EC is correct in saying Aadhaar cannot be accepted as conclusive proof of citizenship. It has to be verified.”

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the petitioners, argued that the SIR exercise could risk disenfranchising vulnerable citizens, especially those without access to the required documents. He pointed out that in Bihar, many residents lack the necessary paperwork to complete the process.

Earlier, the Bombay High Court had also clarified that Aadhaar, PAN, or Voter ID cards are primarily identity documents used to access services and do not automatically grant or confirm Indian citizenship.

Understanding Citizenship Proof in India

Citizenship grants individuals specific rights such as legal protection, the right to vote, eligibility for public employment, and the ability to contest elections.

Under the Citizenship Act, 1955, documents like Aadhaar, PAN, Voter ID, or Ration Cards cannot be relied upon solely to prove citizenship.

What to Use if You Don’t Have Aadhaar, PAN, or Voter ID

If an individual does not hold Aadhaar, PAN, or Voter ID, certain government-issued documents can be used instead, including:

• Birth Certificate – Can be obtained from the Gram Panchayat, Municipality, or Municipal Corporation. If it was never issued, a non-availability certificate must be procured first.
• Domicile Certificate – Issued by the state government after verifying at least three years of continuous residence in that state.

These documents are considered more reliable for verifying citizenship status in official records.