If you are stuck in such a situation, here is what to do.
Mr. Alok Verma, a recent graduate from a university in a major metropolitan city, discovered a minor but potentially problematic discrepancy in his official records. While all his educational certificates, from his school leaving certificate to his final degree, correctly state his name as “Alok Verma,” his Aadhar card displays it as “Alok verma.” This small difference in capitalization has become a source of anxiety for him. He is preparing to apply for a coveted position at a leading technology firm, “Innovate Solutions Ltd.,” and is also planning to obtain his first driving license. He is worried that this inconsistency could be flagged during background verification for his job or cause delays and rejections at the Regional Transport Office (RTO), jeopardizing his future opportunities.
Advice in such cases
Dealing with name discrepancies in crucial documents like Aadhar requires prompt and correct action. Even minor issues like capitalization can cause significant hurdles in official and financial matters.
Act Immediately: Do not postpone correcting the error. The sooner you rectify the Aadhar card, the fewer complications you will face in the future.
Gather Supporting Documents: Collect all official documents that have your name spelled correctly. This includes your Passport, PAN Card, Birth Certificate, or educational certificates from a recognized board or university.
Visit an Aadhar Enrolment Centre: The primary method to correct demographic data is by visiting a permanent Aadhar Seva Kendra or an authorized enrolment centre.
Keep Records: Always keep the acknowledgment slip provided after submitting a correction request. This slip contains the Update Request Number (URN) which is essential for tracking the status of your application.
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
The primary legislation governing Aadhar is the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016. The process for correcting or updating demographic information is not a criminal matter and does not fall under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) or Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). Instead, it is an administrative procedure governed by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).
The UIDAI has laid down specific regulations and procedures for updating demographic information, including name, address, date of birth, and gender. The process involves submitting a valid Proof of Identity (PoI) document that contains the correct name. For minor changes like capitalization, a valid PoI document is usually sufficient.
If you are the complainant
If you are the person seeking to correct the name on your Aadhar card, you are essentially the applicant, not a complainant in a legal dispute. Here are the steps to follow:
Fill the Correction Form: Obtain an Aadhar Correction Form either online from the UIDAI website or directly at an Aadhar Seva Kendra. Fill it out carefully, ensuring the new details are entered correctly.
Submit Proof of Identity (PoI): You must submit a valid, self-attested PoI document that clearly shows your correct name. UIDAI provides a list of acceptable documents on its official website.
Biometric Verification: Your identity will be verified through biometrics (fingerprints and iris scan) at the enrolment centre.
Pay the Fee: A nominal fee is charged for updating demographic details. Ensure you get a receipt for this payment.
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.
If you are the victim
In this context, being a “victim” means you are facing adverse consequences due to the name mismatch, such as the rejection of a job application, loan, or any other service. Here is what to do:
Explain the Discrepancy: Inform the concerned authority (e.g., the HR department of a company, the bank) about the name mismatch and show them the acknowledgment slip of your Aadhar correction request as proof that you are taking steps to rectify it.
Provide an Affidavit: In some cases, you may be asked to provide a notarized affidavit declaring that both names (“Alok Verma” and “Alok verma”) belong to the same person. This can serve as a temporary solution.
Follow Up on Correction: Actively track the status of your Aadhar update request online using the URN. If it is rejected, understand the reason and re-apply with the correct documents.
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 role or jurisdiction in matters concerning Aadhar card corrections. This is a purely civil and administrative issue that falls under the purview of UIDAI. You should not approach the police for such issues, as they will direct you to an Aadhar Seva Kendra. The police would only get involved if the issue pertains to fraud, forgery, or impersonation using an Aadhar card, which is not the case in a simple name mismatch.
FAQs people normally have
Q: Can a minor difference in capitalization really cause problems?
A: Yes. In an increasingly digitized world, many verification systems are automated and case-sensitive. A mismatch can lead to automatic rejection by a system during KYC (Know Your Customer) processes, background checks, or government verifications. It is always best to ensure complete uniformity across all documents.
Q: Is it possible to use an affidavit as a permanent solution?
A: An affidavit is a sworn statement and can be a useful temporary tool to bridge the gap while you get the document corrected. However, it is not a permanent solution. The best and most reliable course of action is to correct the name in the source document, i.e., the Aadhar card itself.
Q: What if my correction request gets rejected?
A: If your request is rejected, UIDAI will provide a reason. Common reasons include unclear scanned documents or the submitted proof not being on the list of approved documents. Review the reason, rectify the issue, and re-submit the application.
What evidence is required?
To correct your name in Aadhar, you need to provide a valid Proof of Identity (PoI) document. UIDAI accepts a range of documents for this purpose. For a name correction, some of the commonly used documents include:
Passport
PAN Card
Ration Card / PDS Photo Card
Voter ID Card
Driving License
Photo ID Card issued by a recognized educational institution
Marksheet or certificate from a recognized university or board containing a photograph
Marriage Certificate with a photograph
How long will the investigation take?
There is no “investigation” in the legal sense. It is an administrative verification process. After you submit your correction request at an Aadhar Seva Kendra, the update process usually takes between 5 to 30 days. However, according to UIDAI’s official timeline, it can take up to 90 days in some cases. You can track the status of your request online using the URN on your acknowledgment slip.
Advocate Sudhir Rao, Supreme Court of India