The Ministry of Communications, Department of Telecommunications has directed all licensees to make sure that no communications, voice messages and SMSs sent by them to their mobile subscribers for re-verification of mobile connections through Aadhaar based KYC process should contain the last date for such re-verification.

In a notification issued on Wednesday, it extended the time limit of the re-verification, stating, " In compliance with the directions of the SC...the last date of re-verification of existing mobile subscribers through the Aadhaar-based E-KYC process, is further extended till the matter is finally heard and the judgment is pronounced by the Hon’ble Supreme Court.

Accordingly, any communication/ voice messages/ SMSs, which are to be sent by the Licensees to their mobile subscribers regarding re-verification of mobile connections through Aadhaar based E-KYC process, shall not contain any last date for re-verification."

The direction was issued in view of the order issued by the Supreme Court on 13 March, extending the deadline for mandatory linkage of Aadhaar number with bank accounts and mobile numbers till the disposal of petitions challenging the Constitutional validity of Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016. You may read the order here.