adhaar Verdict: In a big win for the government, the Supreme Court of India today upheld the constitutional validity of Aadhaar. However, the apex court also put a number of curbs on practices that had raised fears of data thefts, and violation of privacy. The Supreme Court verdict is set to change the ways in which Aadhaar has been used by both the government and the private sectors. 

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Here we take a look at where Aadhaar is compulsory now, where it's not: 

Mobile SIM Cards - Aadhaar not compulsory. Telecos can't force you to give Aadhaar number anymore. Telecom service providers cannot seek its linking of Aadhaar for mobile connections.

Bank Accounts, Fixed Deposit Accounts -  Aadhaar not compulsory. SC said Aadhaar not mandatory for opening bank accounts. That means you have to link your bank accounts with Aadhaar number. Also, even for availing several banking products like Fixed Deposits, Aadhaar is not mandatory. 

It would not be mandatory to link Aadhaar to bank accounts, SC said. 

UGC, NEET, CBSE Examinations: Aadhaar not mandatory

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PAN: Aadhaar-Permanent account number linking is compulsory. 

Income Tax Returns: Aadhaar is mandatory. 

School admissions: Aadhaar not mandatory for school admissions. 

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Paytm, Private Companies: Cannot ask Aadhaar. Section 57 of Aadhaar Act permitting private entities to avail Aadhaar data has been struck out. Aadhaar authentication data cannot be stored for more than six months. This means giving Aadhaar to Paytm is not mandatory. 

The top court said Aadhaar is meant to help the benefits reach the marginalised sections of society and takes into account the dignity of people not only from personal but also community point of view. Aadhaar is serving much bigger public interest. Aadhaar means unique and it is better to be unique than being best, SC said. 

In a relief to the Narendra Modi government, the Supreme Court also upheld passing of Aadhaar Bill as Money Bill by the Lok Sabha.