Aadhaar can't be made mandatory for social welfare schemes, says SC

Bench observed that government can make scheme compulsory for services like opening of bank accounts

The Supreme Court clarified on Monday that the Aadhaar card cannot be made mandatory for welfare schemes, reiterating its stand on the issue for the past two years. 

The Bench, presided over by Chief Justice J S Khehar, observed that the government can make the scheme compulsory for other services like opening of bank accounts or filing income tax returns. He made these observations when some petitioners who had challenged the scheme wanted an early hearing of their cases. Their main objection is that information collected in the card was available to third persons, and they might misuse them. It was