SUPREME COURT DECLARES VERDICT ON AADHAAR

The Supreme Court declared its verdict on Aadhaar following 27 petitions filed that challenged the constitutional validity of the national identity card. SC on Wednesday stated that the Aadhaar card is 'constitutionally valid'.

Aadhaar is a 12-digit unique identification number was originally made mandatory for services including bank accounts, PAN cards, cellphone services, passport and even driving licenses. However, as it was rolled out, concerns over privacy and data breach were raised.

However, the Centre defended Aadhaar and assured that the data is safe and cannot be breached. PM Narendra Modi called it a march of technology.

SC pointed out that the Aadhaar empowers the marginalised sections of the society which outweighs its harms. It said, "One can't throw the baby out with the bathwater." The SC declared that private parties cannot ask for Aadhaar details.

The SC also ruled that banks cannot be linked to the Aadhaar card and called it unconstitutional. School admissions too cannot be on the basis of Aadhaar. No child can be denied any scheme if he or she is unable to furnish an Aadhaar card. The SC also ruled that Aadhaar is not mandatory for UGC, NEET & CBSE examinations.