26 Nov 2017, the top court had said that it would hear the petitions after its constitution bench concludes hearing the Delhi-Centre governance dispute. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Deepak Misra had in October said that a constitution bench would be constituted and Aadhaar-related matters would come up for hearing before it.

The Union government on Thursday informed the Supreme Court that it will extend up to March 31, 2018, the point in time fixed for mandatory linking of Aadhaar with various government schemes, including one’s bank accounts. Attorney General K K Venugopal, says that the last date for linking Aadhaar to mobile services will remain February 6, 2018, in pursuance of a judicial order.

The A-G also report informed the top court that a Data Protection Committee led by Justice Sri Krishna will submit its final report to the government by February 2018.A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court, meanwhile, said it will set up a Constitution bench next week to hear the interim pleas seeking a stay on Centre’s move to link Aadhaar with the various government schemes and services.  The government may, however, cut back the March 31, 2018, extension only to those who still do not have an Aadhaar number. Arguments in this regard were inconclusive and are likely to come up during the hearing next week.