Latest Aadhaar Card News And Updates

Aadhaar

The Government of India launched the concept of Aadhaar  with the aim to offer extensive details of an Indian resident under a unique identification number. Ravi, a citizen of India, is highly satisfied with Aadhaar but keeps various other identity documents such as ration card, driving licence, passport and PAN. 

His Aadhaar card is not a replacement for these documents, but he uses it as his sole address and identity proof. It serves as a KYC document for him and is recognised by telecom companies, financial firms and government organisations. Every now and then, he is getting new Aadhaar updates. 

Just like Ravi, you must be interested to know the latest Aadhaar-related news! No need to worry; scroll through to get updates!

Also read: How To Lock And Unlock Aadhaar Biometric Data Online?

News Highlights for Aadhaar  

The usage of Aadhaar is increasing each day. To keep up with the flow, go through the latest updates below!

Register for Aadhaar PVC card

UIDAI introduces a more protected form of Aadhaar card, known as PVC card. This card is the same as your regular Aadhaar card. The only difference is that it is durable and easier to carry. It keeps the demographic and photograph details in a secure QR code (digitally signed). You can order it online through the official website of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).

Applicants will have to pay a fee of Rs. 50, after which they will receive the card via speed post. You can order PVC cards for your entire family by using any mobile number, regardless of the Aadhaar registered mobile number.

Varanasi gets its new Aadhaar Seva Kendra 

UIDAI has introduced a new Aadhaar enrolment centre in Varanasi. Here’s the address: 

2^nd Floor Nilambar, D 63/7, C-4 Mahmoorganj, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh — 221010

This Aadhaar Seva Kendra is open from 9:30 am – 5:30 pm all days of a week (other than public holidays). UIDAI has set up these centres to provide one-stop Aadhaar registration and update services to Indian citizens.  

Also read: How To Track Aadhaar Card Update Status?

Rajya Sabha proposes to link voter ID with Aadhaar Card 

Kiren Rijiju (Law Minister) introduced the Election Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021. It aims to link Aadhaar number with electoral rolls, permitting electoral registration executives to ask for an applicant’s Aadhaar number when he/she enrols as a voter to establish identity. The purpose is to eliminate electoral fraud and thereby cleanse the electoral procedure in India.  

Smartphones will act as universal authenticator for identification

The UIDAI is planning to use smartphones to verify an individual’s identity. In other words, it wants to widen the scope of Aadhaar authentication by utilising smartphones as a ‘universal authenticator’. At present, OTP (one-time password), iris and fingerprints are utilised for Aadhaar authentication.

According to Saurabh Garg (CEO of UIDAI), this method will be more convenient for the population since authentication can be carried out from where they are staying or living. Out of 120 crore mobile connections, 80 crores are smartphones in India. These can be used to facilitate the authentication process.     

Above 5 crore Aadhaar authentication taking place each day 

At the India Digital Summit 2022, Saurabh Garg pointed out that more than 5 crore Aadhaar authentication is being conducted every day. Additionally, AePS (Aadhaar-enabled Payment System) facilitates above forty crore last-mile banking transactions each month via fifty lakh micro-ATMs.  

UIDAI wants to offer anytime authentication facilities to the Indian residents, bringing in an offline authentication process for those who cannot opt for the online verification facility. Aadhaar is considered a public infrastructure, and anyone can access it for free or at nominal rates. Currently, Aadhaar infrastructure is being used in over seven hundred welfare schemes.    

Aadhaar authentication will continue to remain free for resident individuals. Moreover, UIDAI has reduced the e-KYC transaction price from Rs. 20 to Rs. 3 for requesting entities. 

UIDAI considers biometric verification for three-year-old kids 

During the Aadhaar 2.0 conference, Anil K Jain, professor at Michigan State University, suggested that even minors aged 3 years need a unique identity. This will help to track the expenditure of welfare schemes and vaccination records. According to the panel, fingerprints become almost stable after a child turns 3. 

UIDAI already registers biometrics of 5-year-old children, which must be updated once he/she turns 15. 

Prize money of Aadhaar Hackathon is Rs. 3 lakh 

UIDAI’s Aadhaar Hackathon was held from October 28 2021 to October 31 2021. The authority invited Indian residents to participate in this digital journey and promoted open source technology and innovation. 

The event focused on two major themes─ authentication and enrollment, under which it addressed crucial problem statements. A participating team chose any one of the themes and solved a problem statement. The solution was showcased via the working code that the problem statement required. 

The following were the rewards for each theme:

• First prize was Rs. 3 lakh
• Second prize was Rs. 2 lakh
• Third prize was Rs. 1 lakh for 2 teams 

Candidates of the winning team have the option of working with the Aadhaar team to build an authentication platform and next-generation identity under the initiative of Aadhaar 2.0. Additionally, they can take part in the global conference on Aadhaar 2.0.  

Also read: A Complete Guide To Link Aadhaar With Mobile Number

Final Word 

The Aadhaar program offers universal identity to resident individuals, and it mitigates corruption with the allotment of a unique number to each individual. The card alone is sufficient to act as date of birth/address/identity proof. It will become more prominent in the coming years because of its inclusion in more government benefits and schemes. 

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This article has been prepared on the basis of internal data, publicly available information and other sources believed to be reliable. The information contained in this article is for general purposes only and not a complete disclosure of every material fact. It should not be construed as investment advice to any party. The article does not warrant the completeness or accuracy of the information, and disclaims all liabilities, losses and damages arising out of the use of this information. Readers shall be fully liable/responsible for any decision taken on the basis of this article.

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