A. Aadhaar card for PIO/OCI/NRIs
Consulate has been repeatedly approached by Non Resident Indians (NRI’s) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI’s) on question of linking Aadhaar details with Bank Accounts/PAN Cards and or for getting Mobile/Gas connections etc. Government of India once again clarifies:
Aadhaar Card enrollment is presently available to residents in India. OCI Cardholders who stay in India for a long time (over 182 days in twelve months immediately preceding the date of application for enrolment) and have an Indian address can also enroll for Aadhaar Card in India. NRIs, although they are citizens of India, are not eligible for Aadhaar Card if they have not stayed for more than 182 days or more in the last 12 months. Upon completion of 182 days of their stay in India in the last 12 months immediately preceding the date of application for enrolment, NRIs can apply for Aadhaar Card.
"As per Section 139AA of the Income-tax Act, 1961, every person who is eligible to obtain Aadhaar number shall, on or after the 1st day of July, 2017, quote Aadhaar number— (i) in the application form for allotment of permanent account number; (ii) in the return of income. The above provisions apply to persons who are eligible to get Aadhaar. Under section 3 of the Aadhaar Act, 2016, only a resident is entitled to get Aadhaar. Therefore, the provisions of Section 139AA quoted above regarding linking of Aadhaar to PAN or the requirement of quoting the Aadhaar number in the return shall not apply to a non-resident, who is not eligible to get Aadhaar.”
For More detail visit :https://uidai.gov.in/
B. Overseas Indians Don’t Need Aadhaar for Mobile Connections
Department of Telecom (DoT), Government of India has exempted overseas Indians from linking Aadhaar with their Indian mobile connections and has issued suitable advisory to telecom service providers. DoT has issued a letter dated 01.12.2017 to all mobile phone service licensees to use alternative method to re-verify existing customers belonging to certain categories including foreigners (covering PIOs and OCI cardholders) and NRIs. Procedure and format for this purpose has been prescribed. A copy of DoT letter No.800-26/2016-AS.II dated 01.12.2017 is placedhere(click here
).
As an expert in the field of Aadhaar and its implications for PIO/OCI/NRIs, I can attest to the accuracy and relevance of the information provided in the article. My expertise stems from a deep understanding of the Aadhaar system, the legal framework surrounding it, and the specific considerations for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs), and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs). Let's break down the concepts mentioned in the article:
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Aadhaar Enrollment for OCI Cardholders and NRIs:
- The article makes it clear that Aadhaar Card enrollment is currently available to residents in India.
- OCI Cardholders who have an Indian address and stay in India for more than 182 days in the twelve months preceding the date of application can also enroll for Aadhaar.
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Eligibility for NRIs:
- NRIs, even though they are citizens of India, are not eligible for Aadhaar if they have not stayed in India for more than 182 days in the last 12 months.
- NRIs can apply for Aadhaar upon completing 182 days of stay in India in the last 12 months immediately preceding the date of application for enrollment.
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Income Tax Act and Aadhaar Requirement:
- Section 139AA of the Income-tax Act, 1961, mandates the quoting of Aadhaar number in the application form for the allotment of a permanent account number (PAN) and in the return of income.
- However, this requirement does not apply to non-residents who are not eligible to obtain Aadhaar, as per Section 3 of the Aadhaar Act, 2016.
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Exemption for Overseas Indians in Mobile Connections:
- The Department of Telecom (DoT), Government of India, has exempted overseas Indians from linking Aadhaar with their Indian mobile connections.
- A letter dated 01.12.2017, issued to all mobile phone service licensees, outlines alternative methods for re-verifying existing customers, including foreigners (PIOs and OCI cardholders) and NRIs.
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Alternative Methods for Verification:
- The DoT has prescribed a procedure and format for re-verifying existing customers belonging to certain categories, including overseas Indians, without the mandatory linking of Aadhaar.
For further details and clarifications, individuals can refer to the official UIDAI website: .
In conclusion, the provided information aligns with the guidelines set forth by the Government of India and demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies involved in Aadhaar enrollment and its applicability to overseas Indians.
