This is critical as millions of Indians migrate from one state to another or from rural area to urban centres etc.
During the past decade, Aadhaar number has emerged as a proof of identity of residents in India. Aadhaar number is being used for availing several government schemes and services. Residents who had got their Aadhaar issued 10 years ago, and have never updated after that in these years, such Aadhaar number holders are encouraged to get their documents updated.
Some news reports have incorrectly reported on Thursday that it has been made mandatory. It is informed to ignore these reports and social media posts.
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has previously issued a press release underlining that it is urging and encouraging residents to keep their documents updated. The recently issued gazette notification also clearly mentions that residents “may” do so on completion of every 10 years.
Keeping the documents in Aadhaar updated helps in ease of living, better service delivery, and enables accurate authentication. UIDAI has always encouraged residents to keep their documents updated, and the gazette notification is another step in that direction.
Features of Aadhaar
Uniqueness
This is achieved through the process of demographic and biometric de-duplication. The de-duplication process compares the resident’s demographic and biometric information, collected during the process of enrolment, with the records in the UIDAI database to verify if the resident is already in the database or not. An individual needs to enrol for Aadhaar only once and after de-duplication only one Aadhaar shall be generated. In case, the resident enrols more than once, the subsequent enrolments will be rejected.
Portability
Aadhaar gives nationwide portability as it can be authenticated anywhere on-line. This is critical as millions of Indians migrate from one state to another or from rural area to urban centres etc.
Random number
Aadhaar number is a random number devoid of any intelligence. Person willing to enrol has to provide minimal demographic along with biometric information during the enrolment process. The Aadhaar enrolment process does not capture details like caste, religion, income, health, geography, etc.
Scalable technology architecture
The UID architecture is open and scalable. Resident’s data is stored centrally and authentication can be done online from anywhere in the country. Aadhaar Authentication service is built to handle 100 million authentications a day.
Open source technologies
Open source architecture precludes dependence on specific computer hardware, specific storage, specific OS, specific database vendor, or any specific vendor technologies to scale. Such applications are built using open source or open technologies and structured to address scalability in a vendor neutral manner and allow co-existence of heterogeneous hardware within same application.
Clarification on Aadhaar sharing issue by UIDAI
This is in pursuant of the Press Release dated 27 May 2022 by the Bengaluru Regional Office, UIDAI. It is learnt that it was issued by them in the context of an attempt to misuse a photoshopped Aadhaar card. The release advised the people to not to share photocopy of their Aadhaar with any organization because it can be misused. Alternatively, a masked Aadhaar which displays only the last 4 digits of Aadhaar number, can be used.
However, in view of the possibility of the misinterpretation of the Press Release, the same stands withdrawn with immediate effect. UIDAI issued Aadhaar card holders are only advised to exercise normal prudence in using and sharing their UIDAI Aadhaar numbers. Aadhaar Identity Authentication ecosystem has provided adequate features for protecting and safeguarding the identity and privacy of the Aadhaar holder.
UIDAI cautions of sharing photocopy of Aadhar
Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has warned the general public not to share photocopy of one’s Aadhaar with any organizations because it can be misused. Alternatively, a masked Aadhaar which displays only the last 4 digits of your Aadhaar number can be used for the purpose. It can be downloaded from UIDAI official website https://myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in. Select the option “Do you want a masked Aadhaar” and proceed to download.
The existence of any Aadhaar number can be verified at https://myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in/verifyAadhaar. To verify offline, you can scan the QR code on e-Aadhaar or Aadhaar letter or Aadhaar PVC card using QR code scanner in the mAadhaar mobile application.
UIDAI has also asked the public to avoid using a public computer at an internet café/kiosk to download e-Aadhaar. However if one does so, it should be ensured that all the downloaded copies of e-Aadhaar permanently deleted from that computer.
Only those organizations that have obtained a User License from the UIDAI can use Aadhaar for establishing the identity of a person. Unlicensed private entities like hotels or film halls are not permitted to collect or keep copies of Aadhaar card. It is an offence under the Aadhaar Act 2016. If a private entity demands to see your Aadhaar card, or seeks a photocopy of your Aadhaar card, please verify that they have valid User License from the UIDAI.
