UIDAI - Unique Identification Authority of India

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is a statutory authority established under the Aadhaar Act 2016 to manage identity verification systems. Operating under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

UIDAI is responsible for issuing Aadhaar, a unique 12-digit identification number used across India for various services and benefits.

Latest Updates

• Free Updates Until December 2024: The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has extended the free Aadhaar update facility, with the new deadline now set for December 14, 2024.

• Aadhaar Issued: Over 1.4 billion Aadhaar numbers have been issued to date, covering a vast majority of India’s population.
• Authentication Requests: The UIDAI handles over 50 million daily authentication requests, enabling various services.
• Active Enrolment Centers: UIDAI has set up over 55,000 enrolment centers across the country, allowing residents to easily register and update their Aadhaar.
• Integration with Government Schemes: Aadhaar is linked to over 500 government schemes across state and central governments, ensuring the efficient delivery of services and benefits.

My Aadhaar

MyAadhaar portal (myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in) lets you easily access important services related to your Aadhaar. Below are the services you can access by clicking:

UIDAI Login

To utilize the online services provided by UIDAI on the myAadhaar portal, you need to log in to the portal. Follow these steps to log in:

• Visit the official UIDAI website at myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in.
• On the homepage, select the “Login” option.

• You will be redirected to a page where you need to input your “Aadhaar Number.”
• Then, enter the captcha code and click on “Send OTP.”

• An OTP will be sent to the registered mobile number linked to your Aadhaar.
• Input the OTP in the designated field and click on “Login.”

Upon successfully logging in, you can access various services.

Download Aadhaar

To download your Aadhaar, follow these steps:

• Visit the official UIDAI website.
• Click on the ‘Download Aadhaar’ option on the homepage.

• You can download your Aadhaar card using one of three options: your 12-digit Aadhaar number, 16-digit Virtual ID (VID), or 28-digit Enrolment ID (EID).
• After choosing your preferred method, input the corresponding number, enter the captcha, and click ‘Send OTP.’

• Verify the OTP sent to your registered mobile number.
• After verification, click ‘Download Aadhaar.’ The downloaded file will be in PDF format, password-protected.

To open it, use the first four letters of your name in capital letters followed by your birth year (e.g., RAHUL1998).

Update Aadhaar Details

To update your Aadhaar card details such as name, date of birth, gender, mobile number, email, or biometric details (photo/iris/fingerprint), first book an appointment online at an Aadhaar Seva Kendra, then visit the center in person.

Steps for booking an appointment:

• Visit the official UIDAI website.
• Under “My Aadhaar,” select “Book an Appointment.”

• Enter your location and proceed.
• Provide your mobile number and captcha to verify with OTP.
• Select the option for either “New Aadhaar” or “Update Existing Aadhaar Details.”

• Review your details and confirm the updates you wish to make.
• Select your state, city, and the nearest Aadhaar Seva Kendra.
• Choose a convenient date and time for your appointment.
• Complete the Rs. 50 payments for the service.

On the day of your appointment, visit the Aadhaar Seva Kendra with the printed application form. The authorities at the center will process your requested updates. You can update the following details:

• Name
• Address
• Mobile No
• Email ID
• Date of Birth
• Gender
• Biometric (Photo + Fingerprints + Iris)

Update Forms

• Form 1: Applicable to both (a) Resident Indians and (b) Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) with proof of address in India. This form is for individuals aged 18 years and above. Download Form 1.
• Form 3: Designed for (a) Resident Indian children and (b) Non-Resident Indian children with proof of address in India, aged between 5 and 18 years. Download Form 3.
• Form 5: For (a) Resident Indian children and (b) Non-Resident Indian children with proof of address in India, who are under 5 years of age. Download Form 5.
• Form 7: Specifically for Resident Foreign Nationals aged 18 years or above. Download Form 7.
• Form 8: For Resident Foreign Nationals aged below 18 years. Download Form 8.

Documents Required

When requesting changes to your Aadhaar card, it is necessary to provide supporting documents that validate the requested updates. This ensures that the changes are legitimate and helps prevent fraud or identity theft.

The UIDAI recognizes specific documents as proof for these updates, which are listed below:

Documents for Children Under 5 Years of Age:

For enrolling a new Aadhaar or updating an Aadhaar card for children below 5 years, certain documents must be submitted as proof.

UIDAI has outlined a list of acceptable documents for Aadhaar applications for children under the age of five. Here are the acceptable documents for HoF-based enrolment:

For Children Under 5 Years: Document-Based Enrolment:

If a child is an orphan or without a legal guardian, they can still enrol or update their Aadhaar using document-based enrolment. In such cases, a certificate issued by the head of a recognized shelter home or orphanage (such as a superintendent, warden, or matron) is considered a valid document.

This document-based enrolment option is specifically for children living in the concerned orphanage or shelter home.

Documents for Individuals 5 Years and Above:

Individuals aged 5 years and above are required to present certain documents recognized by UIDAI as valid Proof of Identity, Proof of Address, Proof of Relationship, and Proof of Date of Birth.

Below is the list of acceptable documents for Aadhaar updates in this age category:

Documents for Foreign Nationals:

Foreign nationals wishing to update their Aadhaar with Proof of Identity or Proof of Address need to provide specific documents. The following is a list of acceptable documents for foreign nationals:

Enrolment

The Aadhaar enrolment process is straightforward and free of charge. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to enrol for Aadhaar:

• Step 1: Locate an Enrolment Centre.
  • Visit the official UIDAI portal (myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in) and use the Locate Enrolment Center feature to find the nearest Aadhaar enrolment center.
  • You can visit designated centres such as Aadhaar Seva Kendras, banks, or post offices offering enrolment services.
• Step 2: Book an Appointment.
  • Some enrolment centres allow you to schedule an appointment online. While walk-ins are accepted, scheduling an appointment can reduce your waiting time.
• Step 3: Fill the Enrolment Form.
  • At the enrolment center, fill out the Aadhaar Enrolment Form with your personal details like name, address, date of birth, etc.
  • You can also download the form from the UIDAI website and fill it in advance.

• Step 4: Provide Supporting Documents.
  • Submit proof of identity (PoI) and proof of address (PoA) documents. Some commonly accepted documents include:
    • Proof of Identity: PAN card, voter ID, passport, etc.
    • Proof of Address: Bank statement, utility bills, ration card, etc.

• Step 5: Biometric and Demographic Data Collection.
  • The operator at the center will capture your biometrics:
    • Fingerprints (all 10 fingers)
    • Iris scan (both eyes)
    • Photograph
  • Your demographic details (name, address, gender, etc.) will be verified and entered into the system.
• Step 6: Review the Details.
  • Review the details captured by the operator to ensure accuracy.
  • You will be given an Aadhaar Enrolment Acknowledgement Slip containing a 14-digit enrolment ID (EID). This slip can be used to track the status of your Aadhaar application.
• Step 7: Receive Aadhaar.
  • After verification, Aadhaar will be generated and delivered to your address within 90 days.
  • You can also check the status of your Aadhaar using the EID on the UIDAI website and download the e-Aadhaar online once it’s generated.

Aadhaar Services Fee List

Here are the fees for various services at Aadhaar Seva Kendras:

UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India)

The UIDAI was established in January 2009 as an attached office under the Planning Commission of India, now known as NITI Aayog. Its primary aim was to issue a Unique Identification Number (UID) to every resident of India, which would later be known as Aadhaar.

In 2016, the Indian Parliament passed the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits, and Services) Act, giving UIDAI statutory status and a clear legal framework to operate under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

The Aadhaar Act enabled UIDAI to develop the necessary infrastructure to issue Aadhaar and manage identity services.

Mission of UIDAI

The mission of UIDAI is to provide universal identification to every resident of India by issuing a unique Aadhaar number. The key objectives are:

• Inclusivity: Ensure that even marginalized and economically disadvantaged groups, who may lack traditional identification documents, can access services.
• Efficiency: By eliminating the need for multiple forms of identification, UIDAI simplifies verification processes for public and private services.
• Transparency: It aims to reduce corruption and enhance the efficient delivery of benefits and services by eliminating fake or duplicate identities.

Statics

• Aadhaar Enrolment: Over 1.4 billion Aadhaar numbers have been generated.
• Aadhaar Updates: More than 1 billion Aadhaar records have been updated.
• Authentication: Over 120 billion authentications have been performed using Aadhaar.
• eKYC (Electronic Know Your Customer): Aadhaar has been used for 20.5 billion eKYC transactions.

These figures showcase the widespread adoption and usage of Aadhaar across India.

Security and Privacy

The security and privacy of Aadhaar data are critical given the sensitive nature of the personal and biometric information it stores.

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has implemented several measures to ensure the protection of this data and to prevent misuse.

Security Measures

• Encryption: All Aadhaar data, including biometric information, is encrypted during storage and transmission.
• UIDAI Guidelines: Strict guidelines prevent unauthorized sharing or use of Aadhaar data. The system is designed to comply with the highest standards of security and privacy.

Virtual ID

UIDAI introduced the Virtual ID system, allowing individuals to generate a 16-digit temporary number for one-time use instead of sharing their Aadhaar number.

This enhances privacy by preventing misuse of the Aadhaar number.

Privacy Concerns

Despite its advantages, Aadhaar has been criticized for potential privacy violations. Concerns include:

• Surveillance Risks: Linking Aadhaar with multiple services may enable the government to track individual activities, raising concerns about surveillance.
• Data Breaches: There have been instances of data breaches, which have raised alarms about the security and misuse of Aadhaar data.
• Legal Restrictions: Following the 2018 Supreme Court ruling, Aadhaar can no longer be made mandatory for certain services, such as obtaining mobile SIM cards or bank accounts, though it remains mandatory for income tax filing and PAN linking.

Challenges and Criticisms

• Exclusion Errors: Some residents face challenges due to authentication failures, often related to biometric mismatches, which result in exclusion from welfare programs.
• Mandatory Linking: The requirement to link Aadhaar with essential services like bank accounts and mobile numbers has faced backlash, with critics arguing that it compromises privacy.
• Legal and Judicial Oversight: The 2018 Supreme Court ruling restricted the mandatory use of Aadhaar to certain areas, aiming to balance privacy concerns with the need for a universal identity.

Helpline

For any help and assistance, you can contact using the details below:

Aadhaar

An Aadhaar card is a 12-digit unique identification number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to Indian residents. It serves as proof of identity and address and is based on biometric and demographic data.

E-Aadhaar is the digital version of an Aadhaar card that can be downloaded from the official UIDAI website. It contains the same 12-digit unique identification number and personal details as the physical Aadhaar card.

E-Aadhaar is password-protected and is considered equally valid as the physical card. It is often used for digital verification and authentication purposes in both online and offline services.

Uses

Aadhaar is used in multiple sectors, including finance, governance, telecommunications, and education. Below are some key uses:

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Aadhaar along with their answers: