In the Aadhaar judgment (Puttaswamy, 2018), the Supreme Court applied the proportionality test to balance right to privacy with state interests. Which use of Aadhaar was upheld as proportionate?
- Mandatory linking with bank accounts and mobile numbers
- Authentication for welfare schemes funded from Consolidated Fund and PAN-Aadhaar linking for tax purposes
- Mandatory use for school admissions and NEET/JEE exams
- All uses were struck down as disproportionate
Answer: Authentication for welfare schemes funded from Consolidated Fund and PAN-Aadhaar linking for tax purposes
Aadhaar proportionality analysis: (a) Legitimate aim: Prevent leakage in welfare delivery, curb tax evasion, (b) Rational connection: Biometric authentication reduces identity fraud, (c) Necessity: Less restrictive alternatives considered; authentication necessary for large-scale welfare, (d) Balancing: Benefits (efficient welfare, tax compliance) outweigh privacy intrusion for specified uses. Struck down: Mandatory linking with bank accounts/mobile numbers (disproportionate), school admissions (children's privacy). Illustrates calibrated rights balancing: privacy not absolute; state interests weighed via proportionality test.