The process of issuing Aadhaar cards to adults in Manipur is among the most stringent in the country, a senior official from the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) remarked during a high-level meeting with Governor Anusuiya Uikey and senior state officials at Raj Bhawan on Tuesday.

According to a statement from the Manipur government, each Aadhaar application for adults is mandatorily scrutinised and approved only at the State Headquarters level, specifically in the office of the Special Secretary (Home). This multi-layered verification process aims to prevent illegal foreigners from obtaining Aadhaar cards, the statement said.

“For adults, the scrutiny process in Manipur ensures approval only after detailed verification based on MHA and UIDAI guidelines,” the government noted. A UIDAI official at the meeting stated that the state’s Aadhaar issuance process is “perhaps the most stringent in the country.”

The state also follows a robust Aadhaar update protocol for minors. It mandates parents or guardians to update their children’s Aadhaar details — free of cost — when the child reaches ages 5 to 7, and again after turning 15.

The meeting was attended by the Chief Secretary and senior officials from the departments of Home, Social Welfare, Education, and UIDAI.

Manipur, which shares a 400-km stretch of the India-Myanmar border, has seen rising concerns over illegal immigration. Although fencing work has begun along this porous frontier, it is expected to take several years to complete.

The issue of fake Aadhaar cards has been under sharp focus, especially following recent ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki communities that erupted in May 2023.