This number is your lifeline: 10 vital things you cannot do without Aadhaar

NEW DELHI: True to its name, Aadhaar is going to become the basis of most of your business and official transactions. In addition to scores of other compulsory Aadhaar uses, the government may soon make it mandatory for buying shares and mutual funds too. The government is planning to link Aadhaar to financial market transactions to try and curb sharp practices such as conversion of black money into white through the stock market.

Below are 10 most vital transactions where it is mandatory to cite your Aadhaar number:

1. Bank account
Aadhaar is mandatory for opening a bank account. Also, all existing bank account holders have to provide their Aadhaar numbers to their banks. It is also mandatory for any financial transaction of Rs 50,000 and above.

2. Income-tax return
The government has made it compulsory to mention Aadhaar for filing of income tax return.

3. PAN card
Aadhaar has been made compulsory if you apply for a permanent account number (PAN). An existing PAN has to be linked with Aadhaar number.

4. Employment Provident Funds Account
Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has made it compulsory to link provident fund account with Aadhaar.

5. Mobile phone number
You have to provide your aadhaar number to get a new phone number. The existing number also has to be linked with Aadhaar.

6. Scholarships
Students who apply for central scholarships and other financial assistance schemes need to provide their Aadhaar number.

7. Passport
Ministry of External Affairs has listed Aadhaar card as one of the mandatory documents for applying for a passport. You won’t be able to get your passport without Aadhaar.

8. Concession on railway tickets
To plug misuse and leakages, Indian Railways has made it mandatory to quote Aadhaar to avail of concessions on railway tickets.

9. Mid-day meal
Students of government-funded schools will not be able to get mid-day meal without Aadhaar card.

10. PDS benefits
Public distribution benefits have been linked to Aadhaar. Individuals will have to link Aadhaar with ration cards to get all the PDS subsidy benefits. It has been made mandatory for almost all welfare schemes of Central government.