In a significant development addressing a long-pending public demand, residents of Ladakh can now see their rightful identity reflected in Aadhaar records, with “Ladakh” replacing “Jammu & Kashmir” in the State field, following the intervention of Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena.

Despite the formation of the Union Territory of Ladakh in 2019, after being carved out of Jammu & Kashmir, Aadhaar records of residents had continued to reflect the erstwhile State name, causing widespread inconvenience. Taking serious note of the prolonged pendency, the Lieutenant Governor directed the UT Administration to resolve the issue at the earliest.

Subsequently, the Administration took up the matter with the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) at higher levels. The long-awaited correction has now been successfully implemented, ensuring that Ladakh’s distinct regional identity is accurately represented in Aadhaar records.

The continued reflection of “Jammu & Kashmir” in Aadhaar records had been causing considerable inconvenience, as residents faced difficulties in using Aadhaar as a valid identity and address proof while availing various services. The mismatch in the State field did not correspond to Ladakh’s post-reorganisation status, leading to procedural hurdles and discrepancies in official records.

The Lieutenant Governor stated that the development would significantly benefit residents by removing such hurdles and enabling seamless access to services. He emphasised that accurately reflecting Ladakh’s identity in official records is not only an administrative necessity but also a matter of dignity and convenience for the people.

To resolve the issue, the UT Administration, in coordination with UIDAI, devised an innovative mechanism to update the State field centrally. Instead of requiring individuals to visit Aadhaar centres, records were updated based on Ladakh-specific PIN codes. These were verified in coordination with the Department of Posts and shared with UIDAI.

This initiative has brought major relief to residents, who no longer need to visit Aadhaar centres individually for corrections. They can now download their updated e-Aadhaar from the official UIDAI portal, while those wishing to obtain a PVC Aadhaar card may order it online for a nominal fee.