The Employee’s Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), a part of the union ministry of labour and employment, issued a circular on Jan 16 clarifying that the provident fund office will not accept the date of birth mentioned in the Aadhaar Card as proof of birth.

The ministry, in its circular, validated the notification given by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). This decision has been undertaken with the approval of the Central Provident Fund Commissioner (CPFC).

According to the current legal provision, the birth certificate issued at the time of the child’s birth at the hospital by the corporation, sarpanch, or the talati is considered proof of birth.

Software upgrades for uploading the database are also being directed by the authorities.

Aadhaar card serves as evidence of identity but does not serve as confirmation of one's date of birth, as stipulated in the Aadhaar Act of 2016. This was officially communicated through the office memorandum on Dec 20, 2023. 

Additionally, in a July 2023 judgment, the Bombay High Court stated that an Aadhaar card should not be acknowledged as a valid document for verifying date of birth.

Date of Birth proof for EPF

Till now, the date mentioned in the Aadhaar card was considered the date of birth by different organisations in the country.

Other documents used for DoB verification:

- Marksheet of a recognised Government Board or University. School Leaving Certificate (SLC)/ School Transfer Certificate (TC)/ SSC certificate with ‘Name’ and ‘Date of Birth’

- Birth Certificate issued by the Registrar of Births and Deaths

- Certificate based on the service records of the Central/State Government Organisations

- PAN Card

- Government’s Domicile certificate

- CGHS/ECHS/Mediclaim Card issued by Centre/State/UTs governments/PSUs having Photo & Date of Birth

- In the absence of proof of date of birth as above, a Medical Certificate issued by a Civil Surgeon after examining the member medically and supported with an affidavit on oath by the member duly authenticated by a Competent Court

- Central/State Pension Payment Order (PPO)

- Passport

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