In a ruling that ties technology to human dignity, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has declared that the right to correct mistakes in one’s Aadhaar data is not merely procedural—it is a fundamental right.
Justice G.R. Swaminathan, delivering the verdict in the case of Pushpam v. UIDAI, said that since Aadhaar has become the central key to accessing welfare benefits, the ability to correct its errors must also carry constitutional weight. “When the right to receive benefits is a fundamental right, and Aadhaar is the only vehicle through which that benefit flows, then the cardholder holds an equal right to seek correction,” the Court observed.
The case revolved around P. Pushpam, a 74-year-old widow from Paramakudi. Her husband, a retired Army serviceman, had passed away earlier this year. But when she applied for her family pension, her request was rejected—the Defence Accounts Department refused to process it because her Aadhaar card bore her name as “Pushbam” and her birthdate incorrectly.
Repeated visits to e-Sevai and postal centres brought no solution. It took a petition before the High Court for her plea to be heard.
Justice Swaminathan pointed to Section 31 of the Aadhaar Act, noting that although the statute says the UIDAI “may” allow changes, the provision becomes mandatory once the authority is satisfied about the accuracy of the request. “The entire purpose of Section 31 is to ensure that an individual’s Aadhaar reflects correct information,” the Court said, stressing that an incorrect card can cut people off from essential rights and entitlements.
The judge also expressed concern that citizens across southern Tamil Nadu are forced to rely on just one Aadhaar Seva Kendra in Madurai, resulting in long queues and immense hardship for senior citizens. He called for decentralising correction facilities and bringing them closer to people.
“The issue before this Court is not digital literacy—it is physical accessibility,” he remarked, urging the UIDAI to empower local centres to handle basic demographic updates.
While acknowledging UIDAI’s plan to establish 28 new Seva Kendras in Tamil Nadu by March 2026, the Court held that Pushpam’s case could not wait for bureaucratic timelines. It directed the Madurai centre to immediately update her Aadhaar details and ordered the Defence Accounts Department to release her pension without further delay.
In essence, the judgment reaffirms that the Aadhaar card is not just a number—it is a bridge to citizenship rights. And when that bridge falters, the right to fix it is part of the very fabric of personal liberty.
