What happens if you don't link your Aadhaar by deadline?
What's the story
While the challenge to the constitutionality of Aadhaar is still on in the Supreme Court, it's unlikely that we'll hear a verdict before March 31. Incidentally, that is the deadline for mandatory linking of Aadhaar to various services, including mobile numbers and bank accounts.
So what happens if you don't link your Aadhaar till then? Will the services be suspended?
We elaborate.
Extension?
What are the chances of the Aadhaar deadline being extended?
The lawyers challenging the constitutionality of Aadhaar have asked the Supreme Court to extend the linkage deadline, a request which has been denied so far.
However, recently, Justice Chandrachud indicated that an extension might be given, should the court proceedings extend beyond 31st March.
An extension is advisable owing to the undecided future of Aadhaar, which rests on the Supreme Court ruling.
New deadlines?
What happens if the Supreme Court rules in Aadhaar's favor?
In case the Supreme Court upholds the constitutional validity of mandatory Aadhaar linkage, then citizens will have to get their Aadhaar cards linked to various services till whatever new deadline is specified.
However, since there is no certainty as to how long the proceedings will go on, it's important to keep track of them in case the Supreme Court announces a new deadline.
Bank accounts
What will happen if bank-accounts aren't linked by the deadline?
If mandatory linking is upheld before 31st March, bank accounts have to be linked to Aadhaar to remain operational.
If you have an existing account, you'll have to do it by the given deadline, which, if all else fails will be 31st March.
If you open a new bank account, you will have to link Aadhaar within six months according to new KYC norms.
Information
No need to panic if your bank account is frozen
In case you fail to link Aadhaar to your bank account by the deadline, and the account is frozen, there is no need to panic. According to rules, bank accounts will be made operational once linkage is complete. However, no time-frame is specified for re-operationalization.
Mobile numbers
What will happen if mobile-numbers aren't linked by the deadline?
If the Supreme Court upholds mandatory linking, mobile numbers will have to be linked to Aadhaar before the deadline as per a Department of Telecommunications (DoT) circular dated 23rd March, 2017.
Interestingly, the DoT has not yet clarified what'll happen if the linking isn't done by the deadline.
Some service providers, however, have warned of disconnection, while others like Airtel are awaiting "government instructions".
Tax returns
What about tax returns and Aadhaar linkage?
Under new provisions in the Income Tax Act introduced last year, it's mandatory for Aadhaar to be linked to your PAN card.
However, following a Supreme Court judgement, this isn't necessary for tax returns for 2016-17 filed on or before 31st December, 2017.
If you haven't filed your return by 31st December, linking is mandatory.