The Supreme Court extended the March 31 deadline for linking Aadhaar to various government schemes, as well as mobile phones and bank accounts.

A five-judge constitution bench comprising of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A K Sikri, A M Khanwilkar, D Y Chandrachud and Ashok Bhushan heard pleas for stay on the government's decision of mandatory linking of Aadhaar with welfare schemes, as well as essential services like banking and phone.

The apex court ruled an order that stated that the deadlines for linking to the Unique Identification number stand extended till it decides on its validity and that, Aadhaar will be necessary only for social schemes.