If you are stuck in such a situation, here is what to do.

Mr. Alok Verma, a resident of Pratapgarh, found himself in a precarious situation. He had applied for a mandatory biometric update for his Aadhaar card. However, the status of his application remained “under processing” for an extended period. The urgency of the matter stemmed from his upcoming State Public Service Commission (SPSC) examination, for which he had been preparing diligently. The examination guidelines explicitly stated that Aadhaar-based biometric verification was mandatory for all candidates at the examination center. With the exam just a week away, Mr. Verma was distressed, fearing he might be barred from appearing for the test due to a procedural delay that was not his fault.

Advice in such cases

Facing such a dilemma can be incredibly stressful, but there are several steps you can take to address the situation.

• Immediately contact the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) through all available channels. This includes their toll-free helpline (1947), email, and their online grievance redressal portal. Lodge a formal complaint detailing the urgency of your situation.
• Visit a permanent Aadhaar Enrolment Centre. Sometimes, they can provide a more detailed status update or escalate the issue internally.
• Prepare a file with all alternative documents. This should include a printout of your e-Aadhaar, the acknowledgment slip for your biometric update request, your exam admit card, and other government-issued photo IDs like a Passport, Voter ID card, PAN card, or Driving License.
• On the day of the exam, present all these documents to the authorities at the center. Politely explain the situation and show them the proof that your update is under process.
• Consult with Lawyer: The very basic and important step to start is talk to Lawyer / advocate. You should not hesitate in paying his consultation fee i.e. might be in range of Rs. 10,000 to 50,000 depends case to case. He is helping you in this situation of come out. He is expert in the domain and can help you explain the procedure which you might have never explored. A good lawyer can get the issues resolved much faster than you think.

Applicable Sections of Law

This issue is primarily governed by administrative and constitutional law, rather than criminal statutes like the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The key legal framework includes:

• The Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016: This Act governs the functioning of Aadhaar and UIDAI. While it provides for Aadhaar as a means of identity verification, it does not intend to deny a person their rights or benefits due to technical or procedural failures on the part of the authority.
• Constitutional Principles: The Supreme Court of India, in the landmark case of *Justice K.S. Puttaswamy (Retd.) vs. Union of India*, has clarified the scope of Aadhaar. It held that an individual cannot be denied essential services or benefits for the lack of an Aadhaar card or due to authentication failures. Appearing for an examination can be construed as a right, and being denied this opportunity due to a technical glitch is a violation of the principles of natural justice and fairness.
• Writ Jurisdiction (Articles 32 and 226 of the Constitution): If you are denied the right to sit for an exam, you can approach the Supreme Court or the respective High Court by filing a writ petition. The court can issue a direction (mandamus) to the examination conducting body to permit you to take the exam provisionally.

If you are the complainant

As the person facing the issue, you are the complainant in this administrative matter. Your actions should be methodical and documented.

• Document Everything: Maintain a clear record of every step you take. This includes the date of your biometric update application, the acknowledgment slip, screenshots of the “under processing” status, and copies of any complaints filed with UIDAI.
• Formal Grievance: File a formal grievance on the UIDAI portal and keep the reference number. This serves as official proof of your attempt to resolve the issue.
• Legal Notice: Through a lawyer, you can send a legal notice to both UIDAI and the exam conducting body, highlighting the issue and stating that you will be forced to take legal action if you are not allowed to appear for the exam.
• Consult with Lawyer: The very basic and important step to start is talk to Lawyer / advocate. You should not hesitate in paying his consultation fee i.e. might be in range of Rs. 10,000 to 50,000 depends case to case. He is helping you in this situation of come out. He is expert in the domain and can help you explain the procedure which you might have never explored. A good lawyer can get the issues resolved much faster than you think.
• File a Writ Petition: If the exam is imminent and the issue is unresolved, filing a writ petition in the High Court is the most effective remedy for urgent relief.

If you are the victim

As the victim of a procedural lapse, your goal is to protect your right to participate in the examination.

• Gather Evidence: Compile all documents that support your case: exam admit card, Aadhaar update slip, other valid IDs, and any communication with the authorities.
• Do Not Argue Aggressively: At the exam center, remain calm and present your case logically to the invigilators and supervisors. Aggression can work against you.
• Seek Written Refusal: If they refuse you entry, request them to provide the reason in writing. This document can be crucial evidence in a subsequent legal challenge.
• Consult with Lawyer: The very basic and important step to start is talk to Lawyer / advocate. You should not hesitate in paying his consultation fee i.e. might be in range of Rs. 10,000 to 50,000 depends case to case. He is helping you in this situation of come out. He is expert in the domain and can help you explain the procedure which you might have never explored. A good lawyer can get the issues resolved much faster than you think.

How the police behave in such cases

The police have no direct role in matters concerning Aadhaar update delays or examination entry rules. This is a civil and administrative issue between the candidate, UIDAI, and the examination body. Police involvement would only arise if there is an allegation of using forged documents or if a dispute at the exam center escalates into a law and order problem. In such a scenario, the police would act to maintain peace and not to resolve the underlying administrative issue.

FAQs people normally have

Here are some frequently asked questions in such situations:

What evidence is required?

The most crucial pieces of evidence to support your case are:

• The acknowledgment receipt from your Aadhaar biometric update request.
• A printout of the online status showing “under processing”.
• The admit card for your examination.
• Other valid government-issued photo identification cards (e.g., Passport, Voter ID, Driving License).
• Copies of any complaints or grievances filed with UIDAI or the exam authority.

How long will the investigation take?

This is not a criminal investigation. The resolution timeline has two parts. The Aadhaar update itself can take anywhere from a few days to the official timeline of up to 90 days as per UIDAI norms. However, for the urgent issue of appearing for an exam, legal intervention can be very quick. A High Court can hear an urgent writ petition and pass an interim order within a matter of 2-3 days, directing the authorities to allow the candidate to sit for the exam pending the final resolution of the biometric issue.

Advocate Sudhir Rao, Supreme Court of India