Right to Update Aadhaar Details Now a Fundamental Right, Rules Madurai Bench

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has ruled that the right to correct errors in Aadhaar details is not just a statutory right but also a fundamental right. The Court directed the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to ensure that citizens can easily access Aadhaar correction facilities without unnecessary difficulties.
Case: Pushpam v. UIDAI

Justice G.R. Swaminathan observed that since Aadhaar is now a mandatory requirement to access various government benefits, the right to receive those benefits automatically includes the right to correct errors in the Aadhaar card.

“When the right to receive benefits is a fundamental right and Aadhaar card is the mandatory vehicle through which such benefits are received, the cardholder also has the fundamental right to seek alteration,” said Justice Swaminathan.

Background of the Case

The judgment came in a petition filed by P. Pushpam, a 74-year-old widow from Paramakudi. Her family pension was delayed because her Aadhaar card had two errors — her name was wrongly printed as “Pushbam,” and her date of birth was incorrect.

Pushpam’s husband, a retired Army serviceman who served for 21 years, had passed away in May 2025. When she applied to transfer his pension, the Defence Accounts Department rejected the application, citing a mismatch between her Aadhaar details and pension records.

Despite several attempts to correct the mistakes through e-Sevai and postal centres, her efforts failed. She was left with no option but to approach the High Court for relief.

Court’s Findings

The Court referred to Section 31 of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016, which allows residents to update or correct their Aadhaar details. While the law uses the term “may,” Justice Swaminathan clarified that UIDAI’s obligation to make corrections becomes mandatory once the information provided by the resident is verified as accurate.

The judge emphasised that the duty to ensure correctness of Aadhaar data is part of UIDAI’s statutory role.

“The whole purpose of Section 31 is to ensure that one’s Aadhaar card contains correct details,” the Court observed, adding that errors in such an important identity document could deprive people of their rightful benefits.

Accessibility Issues and Infrastructure

Justice Swaminathan highlighted that citizens, especially the elderly, face hardships due to limited Aadhaar correction centres. Presently, only one Aadhaar Seva Kendra (ASK) serves all the southern districts of Tamil Nadu.

The Court noted that people often stand in long queues at the Madurai ASK, which is particularly challenging for senior citizens and vulnerable individuals. To address this, the judge recommended the establishment of more decentralised Aadhaar correction facilities at the local level.

The Court also cited a 2025 article published by The Wire titled “Queues, Rejections, Ambiguity: The Daily Trials of Wanting a Working Aadhaar,” which highlighted the physical challenges faced by citizens in updating Aadhaar details.

“Physical accessibility is the issue flagged in this petition. The facility to alter demographic information must be available at the local level,” Justice Swaminathan said.

Directions Issued

While UIDAI has proposed setting up 28 new Aadhaar Seva Kendras in Tamil Nadu by March 2026, the Court held that Pushpam could not be made to wait for that long.

It directed the Madurai ASK to immediately correct her Aadhaar details upon production of the Court’s order and instructed the Defence Accounts Department to process her pension without further delay.

Representation

• Petitioner: Advocate N. Kamesh
• Respondent (UIDAI): Advocate Gnanamuthu

Summary

The ruling reinforces that the right to correct Aadhaar information is a fundamental and statutory right. It also places a duty on UIDAI to make Aadhaar correction services more accessible, especially for the elderly and marginalised sections.

By treating Aadhaar correction as part of the citizen’s right to dignity and welfare, the Court ensured that administrative barriers do not deprive individuals of essential government benefits.