This was always coming. Mandatory linking of mobile connections and several other services with Aadhaar might be extended beyond March 31, 2018. The Centre is considering the move to extend the deadline and the same was informed by the Narendra Modi-led government to the Supreme Court on Tuesday. This news will come as a huge relief for users who're yet to link their Aadhaar with mobile number and bank accounts. The current deadline was extended back in December 2017 as the original deadline was February 6, 2018, for mobile numbers.
However, nothing is confirmed as of now, and we suggest you take this news with a pinch of salt. If possible, get the linking done at the earliest. A five-judge Constitution bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A K Sikri, A M Khanwilkar, D Y Chandrachud and Ashok Bhushan agreed with the contention of Attorney General K K Venugopal.
The Constitution Bench, headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra has been hearing a bunch of petitions against the Aadhaar law and recently was informed by Attorney General K K Venugopal that Centre had extended the deadline in the past too and they can do it now as well. "If required, we can do it again," Venugopal said.
"We have extended the deadline in the past, and we will extend the deadline again, but we may do it by the end of the month to enable the petitioners in the case to conclude the arguments," Venugopal further added.
As everyone might be aware of, the APEX court had earlier extended the deadline to March 31, 2018. Back in January, we reported that Aadhaar body UIDAI considering to meet Trai and Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to check if there's any requirement of extending the mandatory Aadhaar linking with mobile connections. Back in the first week of December 2017, the Centre was informed that over 700 million customers have already linked their mobile number with Aadhaar.
Have you linked your mobile number with Aadhaar?