With the establishment of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UDAI) on 12 July 2016 by the Government of India, under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the main objective was to promote and offer reliable, translucent and exemplary government services to the residents of India. Keeping this objective in mind, an initiative to provide subsidiary services to the people of India was undertaken by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). This initiative was known as the Aadhaar card. Prior to its establishment as a statutory authority, UIDAI was functioning as an attached office of the then Planning Commission (now NITI Aayog) vide its Gazette Notification No.-A-43011/02/2009-Admn.I) dated 28th January, 2009. The first UID number was issued on 29 September 2010 to a resident of Nandurbar, Maharashtra.
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) offers various features that come along with an Aadhar card. It is a sole program that provides state-of-the-art-digital and an online ID with no charges to a wide range of individuals. As per statistics, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) declares that up till now, 1.2 billion Aadhar cards have been generated in the country. Being an extensive initiative towards making India digital, Aadhar card has surely revolutionised the functioning of the Indian system. Given below are some features of Aadhar card.
An Aadhaar card is extremely convenient and pliable. This is a significant feature as a large number of individuals in India migrate or travel from place to another, for instance from one state to another state or from a rural area or from one rural area to an urban place. Aadhaar card can be validated or authenticated online anywhere nationally.
It is notable that open source architecture impedes or prohibits the reliance on particular computer hardware, specific storage, specific OS, particular database vendor or any other particular vendor technologies to scale. These kinds of technologies are constructed with the help of open source of open technologies and are built in a way that addresses elasticity in a non-biased manner as well as permits in the same application with the presence of diversified hardware.
The architecture of the UID is such that it is open as well as expandable. The information of an individual is centrally stored and it can also be validated from any place in the country. It has a strong foundation as well as an efficient and effective service. Aadhaar authentication services are manufactured in such a way that they can manage authentications of upto 100 million each day.
An Aadhaar number is bereft of any kind of intellectual code or intelligence. An individual wanting to enrol for an Aadhaar card, can do so by providing the necessary demographic and biometric information to further the enrolment procedure. Although the Aadhaar card requires details like name, age, date of birth, etc., it does not ask or need information such as religion, caste, salary, health, etc.
To obtain an Aadhar card, it is imperative to provide your demographic and biometric information. Such details are unique and cannot be duplicated in any way, and hence this reduces the chances of corruption and mal-practices. This uniqueness is obtained through the process of de-duplication. In this process, the information (demographic and biometric) given by the individual is accumulated at the time of enrolment and compared with the records of the Unique Identification Authority of India’s (UIDAI) database. This is done to verify if the individual has already been enrolled or not.
Please note, an individual is required to enrol for an Aadhaar card just once. After the de-duplication procedure is completed, an Aadhaar card is generated just one time. The enrolment is rejected, if an individual applies more than one time for an Aadhaar card.
Being a universal and centralised identification number, the Aadhaar card maintains an individual biometric and demographic information in a government database. Aadhaar card is a significant document which can be used for KYC, identification and verification. Mentioned below are the extraordinary benefits of Aadhaar card.
Aadhaar cards are extremely useful while opening bank accounts. It can be used for verification, identification and KYC all around the country. All banks and other financial organisations consider Aadhaar card as a reliable and authentic identity and address proof at the time of opening a bank account. Thus, while opening a bank account at any bank, you can carry your Aadhaar card as proof.
Acquiring a passport can take a very long time, and hence can be quite intimidating and unnerving. To complete all procedures and finally obtain a passport can take a number of weeks. This is because it includes a long process of receiving an appointment with the concerned authorities, organising an application, police verification procedures and the passport being dispatched. However, these lengthy processes can now be shortened with the help of Aadhaar card. Hence, now individuals who are applying for a passport, can do so online by just attaching along their Aadhaar card as identity and address proof with their application form.
The Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi has initiated the Jeevan Pramaan for Pensioners, which is also known as the Digital Life Certificate. The objective of this certificate was to put an end for the requirement of the physical presence of the pensioner, for the purpose of gaining pension for the further prolongation of the scheme. Pensioners are now given the comfort and convenience of being at home and availing the pension, as their specific details are accessed digitally with the help of their Aadhaar card numbers through the agency.
Individuals can avail the LPG subsidy by linking their Aadhaar number with the 17-digit LPG ID. These benefits will be obtained directly in their respective bank accounts.
By linking Aadhaar card to pension accounts, individuals can get their provident fund disbursed in their bank accounts directly, through their Provident Fund organisation.
Aadhaar card is the sole document needed for the purpose of opening an account under Jan Dhan Yojana. This scheme has proven to be beneficial and helpful to individuals residing in remote areas, as this helps them receive these advantageous services offered by the government.
What is the purpose of Aadhaar card?
The purpose of Aadhaar card is to make government schemes and services like subsidies and various beneficial offers available to every citizen of India. The 12-digit Aadhaar card number is unique for each individual and helps the government keep efficient records. No fraudulent or malpractices can take place due to this service.
How is Aadhaar unique?
Aadhaar card is unique as it has a random 12-digit number that is unique for every individual. It contains all the information of an individual (biometric as well as demographic). It has incredible benefits and characteristics that are unlike any other service before in our country. It is also helps in paving a path towards India being a fully developed country.
What information does Aadhaar card contain?
An Aadhar card consists of all the necessary information of the individual. Some of these details are printed on the Aadhar card, while some are kept in the form of a QR code that is accessible only by authorised services or channels. This is done for maintaining security and privacy of the individual. The Aadhar card contains details of the individual’s name, address, date of birth, gender, photograph, unique Aadhar card number and QR code. Fingerprints and iris scans are encrypted and kept in the database.
Is Aadhaar card a proof of citizenship?
No. Aadhaar card is not a proof of citizenship. It is a proof of residence.
How to apply for Aadhaar card?
You can apply for an Aadhaar card by visiting your nearest Aadhaar enrolment centre. To find the nearest Aadhaar enrolment centre, you can visit the official website of UIDAI. You are required to fill an Aadhaar enrolment/correction form, provide relevant documents as well as biometric information to finish the procedure of enrolment.
I need to update my name on my Aadhaar card. Can I update my name online through the Self-Service Update Portal (SSUP) on the official Unique Identification Authority of India (UDAI) website?
No. You cannot update your name online through the Self-Service Update Portal (SSUP) on the official Unique Identification Authority of India (UDAI) website. You can only update addresses through the Self-Service Update Portal (SSUP). For the purpose of updating or changing your name, birth date, mobile number, photograph, etc. you are required to visit a nearby Aadhaar enrolment centre and fill a correction form for the applicable changes.
What is the difference between Aadhaar card and e-Aadhar?
There is no difference between Aadhaar card and e-Aadhar. They are the same thing. The only varied aspect is that Aadhaar card is a printed document that is sent by the UIDAI by means of post to the individual applicant and e-Aadhar is the digital format of the applicants Aadhaar that he or she can download from the official Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) website.
For filing my Income Tax Returns (ITR), is it necessary for me to link my Aadhaar card with my PAN Card?
Yes. According to the new provisions made by the Finance Act, it is mandatory to get your Aadhaar card linked with your PAN Card in order to get your Income Tax Returns (ITR) filed.
What is the duration of the validity of an Aadhaar card?
An Aadhaar card once made, is valid for life.
