Latest UIDAI News - Aadhaar Card Schemes Notifications & Circulars

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is a government body that was created to issue a Unique Identification Number to each individual who is a resident of India. It is also known as the Aadhaar Card Number among people. The UIDAI is responsible for the authentication of Aadhaar numbers, developing policies, operational management, and adhering to strict security of the identity of the individuals.

Mission of UIDAI

• Creating policies, procedures and systems for issuing Aadhaar numbers to the residents of India who provide their demographic and biometric information to enrol in the process.
• Making policies, procedures and systems for Aadhaar holders to update and authenticate their digital identity.
• Build a long-term sustainable organization to carry forward the vision and values of the UIDAI.
• Ensure the security and confidentiality of identity information and authentication records of individuals.
• Ensure compliance with the Aadhaar Act by all individuals and agencies in letter and spirit.
• Make regulations & rules consistent with the Aadhaar Act, for carrying out the provisions of the Aadhaar Act.

Latest UIDIA News

What is Aadhaar?

The Aadhaar number is a 12-digit random number. The Aadhaar card issuing authority is UIDAI which provides the aadhaar number to the residents of India they satisfy the verification process set by the authority. So, any individual of any age and gender, who is a resident of India can enrol to obtain the Aadhaar number. 

So, for enrolment, the person has to provide minimal demographics and biometric information to complete the process, there is no cost to the process. The aadhaar can eliminate duplicate and fake identities. 

Globally, this is the only program where a state-of-the-art digital and online ID is provided that is also free of cost. Also, on a large scale to people, this has the potential to change the way service delivery functions in the country.

Modes of Updating Aadhaar Card Details

There are two types of information in the Aadhaar card that can be updated and it is demographic information and biometric information. However, the types of changes are as follows:

• Demographic information - name, address, date of birth, gender, mobile number, email address, relationship status and information sharing consent.
• Biometric information - Two iris scans, ten fingerprints and a facial photograph

Note: The update process required a range of different proof of identity documents and proof of address.

Mode 1: Online

Through the online mode or say self-service mode, you can change the address of your resident by directly placing the update request on the portal. Hence, to change the address, first log into the portal by using the Aadhaar number and registered mobile number. 

However, an OTP was sent to the mobile number to check the authenticity. Any one document is required to update a resident's address, you can use an Indian passport, PAN card, ration card, voter identity card, driving license, marks sheet, electricity bill, etc.

Mode 2: Visit the Permanent Enrolment Centre

In this, the individuals visit the Permanent Enrolment Centre to update the biometrics. They can book an appointment or can directly visit the centre and then register themselves for the changes. You require different kinds of original documents as per the change. Currently, the UIDAI has three modes for assisted updates: 

1. Update Client Standard: Here update all biometric and demographic fields as well as local language. The biometric check is at the back end.
2. Update Client Lite: Update all demographic fields and Photos as well as the local language. Biometric Authentication of the resident.
3. Update through AUA Point of Presence: A select Registrar who also becomes AUA (Authentication User Agency) uses this mode. Here the changes are done in demographic fields.

Objectives of UIDAI

The usage and safeguarding of the individual's information and providing them with a random number that doesn’t reveal anything about the individual. Similarly, other core UIDAI features or objectives are as follows:

• Collecting the limited data which is only used to issue Aadhaar numbers and verifying the identity of the user. The basic information is the Name, Gender, Date of Birth, Address, Parent/Guardian’s name (important for children, not others), mobile number and email ID is optional.
• No profiling and collecting of sensitive personal information such as religion, caste, community, class, ethnicity, income and health.
• UIDAI ensures the security and confidentiality of the data collected. The software is provided by UIDAI and encrypted to prevent leaks in transit.
• The UID database has no link to any other databases. The only purpose of the database is to verify a person’s identity at the point of receiving a service. This is also with the consent of the aadhaar number holder.

Grievance Redressal of UIDAI

The UIDAI has set up a multi-channel grievance handling mechanism for the queries of the residents and grievances related to Aadhaar Enrolment, Updation and other services. So, the residents can lodge their grievances at UIDAI through Phone, Email, Chat, Letter and UIDAI website.

The CPGRAMS is a Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System. It is an online platform available for 24x7. Internally checks the grievances and then forwards them to the concerned Regional Office/ Concerned division. The concerned Regional Office/ division handles the grievances. 

At the UIDAI centres, there is self-service IVRS and Resident Support Executive-based assistance provided through a Toll-Free Number (TFN) - 1947. It provides support in 12 languages.

Also read: Guide to Lock or Unlock Aadhaar Biometric Online to Protect Your Money

Author: Dushyant Sharma

Hey there, I'm Dushyant Sharma. With the extensive knowledge I've gained in past 8 years, I have been creating content on various subjects such as banking, insurance, telecom, and all the important registration and licensing processes for various companies. I'm here to help everyone with my expertise in these areas through my articles.