Authors
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
Claim
Aadhaar-PAN link deadline extended to 31/3/2024
Newschecker received multiple queries on our WhatsApp Tipline (+91-9999499044) to fact-check this claim.
Fact
To begin with, Newschecker did a keyword search and found that there were no reports that announced the extension of the deadline for linking one’s Aadhaar with PAN. The deadline still stood at 31/03/2023.
We then thoroughly analyzed the document that is being circulated and noticed that it did not mention in clear words the notification for which the deadline was being extended.
We also noted that the notification was published in the “Gazette of India: Extraordinary”, which is a gazette of the government of India, published daily depending upon the urgency of the matters to be notified.
On looking up the website of the gazette extraordinary and checking the list of notifications under the relevant ministry, Newschecker found that the subject line of the notification, published on the date mentioned in the viral document (21 March 2023), read, “Notification regarding extension of last date for the electors to intimate the Aadhaar Number.”
The notification listed under this subject line was word-to-word same as the one in circulation.
We also found several news articles which reported on the extension of the deadline for linking Aadhaar and Voter ID. You can read that here, here, and here.
Result: False
Our Sources
Website of the Gazette of India: Extraordinary
Report published in The Indian Express, dated March 22, 2023
Report published in Hindustan Times, dated March 22, 2023
Report published in CNBC TV18, dated March 22, 2023
| Update: On March 28, 2023 the government extended the last date for linking Aadhaar with PAN from March 31, 2023 to June 30, 2023. |
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Authors
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
