Everything in life needs an update and upgrade for convenience and efficiency. For decades paper documents were used for collection of data for dispersing government scheme benefits. This method had become obsolete in the era of digitalisation. With increasing population, it became all the more challenging to manage the data and use it effectively for the welfare of people of India. Data security breaches and misuse of data also had become a major problem over the years. A robust and new age need beckoning the birth of AADHAAR and digitalisation was introduced by the Indian Government.
Aadhaar is a 12 digit identification number given to every citizen of India based on their biometric and demographic data. The 12 digit number will be unique for every individual. The Aadhaar number is being issued and managed by UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India).
Prior to the enactment of the Act, the UIDAI functioned, since 28 January 2009, as an attached office of the Planning Commission (now NITI Aayog). On 3 March, 2016 a money bill was introduced in the Parliament to give legislative backing to Aadhaar. On 11 March, 2016 the Aadhaar Act, 2016, was passed in the Lok Sabha. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) was established under the provisions of the Aadhaar Act, 2016 on 12 July, 2016 by the Indian Government.
Over a billion Aadhaar cards have been issued by UIDAI in India.
To enrol in Aadhaar system you can visit an enrolment centre near your residence or to any Aadhaar centre anywhere in India. The list of enrolment centres can be searched online by clicking on Aadhaar card Appointments.
AADHAAR ENROLMENT IS TOTALLY FREE
You will need to do the following at the enrolment centre.
After you are done with the above process you will get an acknowledgement slip containing the enrolment ID.
Proof of identity and proof of address will be required for enrolment. The list of acceptable documents are:
You can also submit the following documents for address proof if the address is not mentioned on the ID card. The below documents should be less than 3 months old.
If you don't have the above proofs then you can also avail the following documents for proof of ID and address:
Detail list of documents can be accessed from: Aadhaar PDF Download
Once you have finished enrolment process at the Aadhaar centre the unique identification number issuance takes 60 to 90 days which includes the delivery of Aadhaar card.
There are several checks like a quality check, packet validation, demographic and biometric de-duplication etc. which go through the Aadhaar Generation process. Aadhaar number is generated successfully only if:
If any of the above conditions is not satisfied, then Aadhaar number will not be issued and the enrolment gets rejected.
You can check your Aadhar card status here: Aadhaar card status
The objective of issuing an Aadhaar number is to enable citizens of India with a convenient way of authenticating identification anytime and anywhere. The digital platform helps service providers to securely and conveniently authenticate the identity of citizens and at the same time ensure cost effectiveness and efficiency of the whole process.
Following are the features available for the Aadhaar identity holders and service providers
The government has mandated to link your Aadhaar number for all the financial services by 31st March 2018 to experience uninterrupted services. You can do this Online or by visiting the branch office or through an ATM.
The linking of Aadhaar card to a bank account has been made mandatory to prevent money-laundering for all bank account holders. The exception is only for those who are not eligible for Aadhaar such as non-resident as per the Aadhaar rules.
If the Aadhaar card is not linked before the extended deadline date of 31st March 2018, your financial account will be made un-operational due to non-compliance with the Aadhaar linking requirement.
To comply with the new rule, financial institutions are opening a new account only on submission of Aadhaar number.
Is it possible to link Mobile Number with Aadhaar through OTP? What is the procedure to link Mobile Number with Aadhaar?
Yes, Telecom Operators in India have started linking of SIM with Aadhaar via OTP based authentication. You need to contact your Telecom Service Provider to know more about the process.
Is it necessary to submit Aadhaar number in Bank while transaction amount is INR 50,000 or above?
As per Ministry of Finance gazette notification, dated 01/06/17, for all transactions for an amount INR 50,000 or above Aadhaar number will be required.
How is Aadhaar different from any other identity issued by the government?
Aadhaar is basically a paperless, online, anytime-anywhere identity allocated to an Indian Citizen to cover his/her entire lifetime. The verification identity process is done online with the help of verification devices which are connected to UIDAI’s Central Identity Repository based on the data available with UIDAI.
I want to give up my Aadhaar card Identification. How and what needs to be done?
Presently there is no Policy to give up Aadhaar. However, Aadhaar holders can protect their Biometric Authentication as per their requirement by locking or unlocking Biometrics using "Lock/Unlock Biometrics” feature on UIDAI official website.
Can NRIs also get Aadhaar number?
As per the Aadhaar Act, 2016, only an Indian citizen who has resided in India for a period or periods amounting in all to 182 or more in the 12 months immediately preceding the date of application for enrolment.
Why are Government related schemes asking for Aadhaar?
Aadhaar helps to filter out duplicates and fakes. It provides accurate data and enables implementation of direct benefit programs. Aadhaar technology helps in reducing cost of accurately authenticating persons and delivers transparency in implementation of government schemes
I have received the blue coloured Aadhaar card for my child. Is it Valid?
Absolutely, Blue colour Aadhaar is valid like other Aadhaar. Going by the provisions of the new policy, UIDAI is issuing Blue Colour Aadhaar (Namely Bal Aadhaar) for children in the age group of 0 to 5 Years. After the age of 5 years, the child will need to get his/her demographic and biometric details updated against same Aadhaar Number by visiting nearest Enrolment Centre.
Is it possible to Change Aadhaar Card Details?
Yes, the Aadhaar details can be changed. But you have to present valid documents that justify the reason for change or correction.
What is E-Aadhaar?
E-Aadhaar is an electronic version of your Aadhaar card. It is totally valid just like original Aadhaar card.
How to Check the Status of Aadhaar Card?
After successful Aadhaar card application. You can check the Status of your Aadhaar Card online just by visiting the website.
