NEW DELHI: The telecom department has extended the time limit for re-verifying mobile numbers through Aadhaar , till the time the Supreme Court decides on an ongoing case on the validity of Aadhaar and its enabling law.“In compliance with the directions of the SC, the undersigned is directed to convery the approval of competent authority that the last date of re-verification of existing mobile subscribers through Aadhaar-based E-KYC process, is further extended till the matter is finally heard and the judgement is pronounced by the Hon'ble Supreme Court," the telecom department said in its order dated March 21.It added that as per the changes, all communications including voice or text messages sent by carriers to their subscribers should not include any last date for re-verification.The directions were issued on the back of Supreme Court’s order of March 13, where it extended the March 31 deadline for mandatory linking of Aadhaar to avail various services and welfare schemes run by the government till its constitution bench delivered its verdict.From January 1 this year, the telecom department had put in place an automated customer care number – 14546 – for all carriers, for generating a one-time password (OTP) to enable re-verification of mobile numbers. DoT has been mandated by the Supreme Court to re-verify all mobile numbers and had set the deadline of February 6, 2018, which was later extended to March 31.In October last year, DoT had also allowed re-verification through iris-based biometric devices and at the doorsteps of consumers who are unable to use OTP or fingerprint authentication or who are incapacitated and cannot go to retail stores. While telcos submitted the processes for approval to DoT and UIDAI , the latter turned down the option of OTP through SMS, citing security issues. Home visits, it seems, have also been disallowed.The only exceptions to the rule have been for foreign nationals, physically challenged or people above the age of 70.Foreign nationals without Aadhaar, who will get the option to get mobile numbers re-verified by visiting their carrier’s retail outlet and submit passport details. A representative from the telco can also visit the subscriber.Telecom companies can use systems on their websites in case of non-resident Indians (NRIs), the physically challenged and those above 70 years of age not having Aadhaar or numbers registered with Aadhaar for re-verifying.