Kerala tightens Aadhaar rules: No headscarves in photos, operators to be suspended for violations

Alappuzha: Akshaya entrepreneurs across the state have been instructed not to take photographs of Aadhaar applicants wearing headscarves during the photo capture process. The directive comes amid a rise in application rejections because the face is not clear in the photo. 

Aadhaar operators who violate these instructions will face a one-year suspension and a fine. The directive, issued by the state authorities of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), was communicated to Akshaya Project entrepreneurs.

The Aadhaar Authority had previously stated that while women wearing headscarves could keep their heads covered, their entire face needed to be clearly visible in the photograph.

It was also specified that turbans and hats worn for religious or traditional reasons were permitted. However, a rising number of applications submitted with such photographs continued to be rejected.

Authorities later clarified that operators were trained to take photographs in a way that ensured the face, including the ears and forehead, was clearly visible. Despite this, there was no noticeable decrease in rejected applications.

Following these concerns, the new directive has been introduced. Authorities stress that photographs with obscured faces are being rejected to prevent Aadhaar-related fraud.