1. Background of UIDAI
The Unique Identification Authority of India is a statutory authority established under the provisions of the Aadhaar Act, 2016 on 12 July 2016 by the Government of India, under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). Prior to its establishment as a statutory authority, UIDAI was functioning as an attached office of NITI Aayog. Vide its gazette notification, the government revised the allocation of business rules to attach the UIDAI to the MeitY.
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| Full form of UIDAI: |
Unique Identification Authority of India |
| Establishing Date: |
12 July 2016 |
| Under Ministry: |
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) |
| CEO of UIDAI: |
Shri Pankaj Kumar |
| UIDAI Headquarters: |
Delhi |
2. Aadhaar and UIDAI
Intending to set up a robust system to eliminate duplicate/fake identities cost-effectively, supported by verification and authentication, the government introduced the Aadhaar. The Aadhaar is a unique identification number to be issued to all residents of India. The Unique Identification Authority of India was created to issue Unique Identification Numbers (UID) under Aadhaar to all the residents of India. Under the Aadhaar Act 2016, the Unique Identification Authority of India is responsible for the Aadhaar enrolment and authentication, including operation and management of all stages of the Aadhaar life cycle, developing the policy, procedure and system for issuing Aadhaar numbers to individuals, perform authentication, and ensure the security of identity information and authentication records of individuals.
3. Services provided by UIDAI
In an ongoing process of linking all the identity cards (driving license, PAN, voter ID, passport) and accounts (bank accounts, mobile numbers, etc.) with the Aadhaar, the government is mandating the linkage in a phased manner. Currently, it is mandatory to link the PAN and the bank account with the Aadhaar. The UIDAI provides services relating to Aadhaar online as well as offline. The services range from updating the details of the registered person, to correction of data and checking the status of requisitions raised. For availing these services offline, one may visit an enrolment centre with the required documents and have their issues resolved.
4. m-Aadhaar
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has released a mobile app known as mAadhaar, which can be downloaded from your Google Play Store.
The following services are offered through this mAadhaar app:
1. Profile creation: The Aadhaar profile can only be created if you have a registered mobile number
2. You can lock and unlock your biometrics information
3. Virtual ID generation
Let’s look at the steps on how to create a profile in this app?
Step 1: Input your 12-digit Aadhaar number.
Step 2: Ensure that your mobile connection is active, key in the details and click on verify.
Step 3: Enter the OTP sent to your registered mobile number, and your profile will be created.
The mAadhaar app also provides the following benefits:
1. Aadhaar holders can easily lock and unlock their biometrics identification services at any time.
2. A holder can share his eKYC through message or email directly.
3. One can now use the time-based OTP facility of the mAadhaar app, which will be valid for only 30 seconds.
4. This app allows the users to share the details using the QR code, which prevents any leakage of data.
5. A holder can order a newly printed Aadhaar card from the mAadhaar app by providing aadhaar details for verification process and making a payment.
5. Role of UIDAI
In addition to the services offered, the Unique Identification Authority of India also plays an important role in ensuring confidentiality, good governance, and developing methods to provide a more robust system.Some places where the UIDAI plays a vital role are:
- To develop policy, procedure and system for issuing Aadhaar number to individuals, who request for the same by submitting their demographic information and biometric information by undergoing a process of enrolment.
- To ensure availability, scalability and resilience of the technology infrastructure.
- To ensure the security and confidentiality of the identity, information, and authentication records of individuals.
- To ensure compliance with Aadhaar Act by all individuals and agencies.
- To make regulations and rules consistent with the Aadhaar Act, for carrying out the provisions of the Aadhaar Act.
6. UIDAI Ecosystem
At the core of the system, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has two procedures:
The enrolment procedure consists of registrars and enrolment agencies. In coordination with the registrars, the enrolment agencies set up enrolment centres, where residents can enrol for Aadhaar. Multiple fingerprint scanners, iris scanners, and cameras, certified by the UIDAI are set up and connected to the UIDAI designed standard Application Programming Interface (API).
Registrar
Registrar is an entity authorised or recognised by UIDAI to enrol individuals.
Enrolment Agencies
Enrolment agencies are appointed by registrars and are responsible for collecting demographic and biometric information of individuals during the enrolment process by engaging certified operators/supervisors.
The UIDAI has set up a scalable procedure for instant authentication of residents. The Aadhaar authentication ecosystem is capable of handling tens of millions of authentications daily and can be scaled up further as per demand. The Unique Identification Authority of India has appointed several Authentication Service Agencies (ASAs) and Authentication User Agencies (AUAs) from various governments and non-government organisations.
7. Organisational Structure of UIDAI
The DDGs are supported by Assistant Directors General (ADGs), Deputy Directors, Section Officers and Assistant Section Officers. The HQ has a total sanctioned strength of 127 officers and staff members, including the accounts and IT branches. Each of the regional offices is headed by a Deputy Director General (DDG) and the support structure comprises of assistant directors general, deputy directors, section officers, assistant section officers, senior accounts officer, accountant and personal staff.
8. Grievances Redressal of UIDAI
Grievances at UIDAI are received through the following modes:
UIDAI has set up a Contact Centre for handling queries and grievances related to Aadhaar enrolment, updation and other services. When a resident approaches an enrolment centre, the operator gives a printed acknowledgement for registering the complaint. The resident can further follow up for the status updates by quoting the number from the acknowledgement slip.
Residents have an option to post their grievances to the headquarter or regional offices of the Unique Identification Authority of India. The grievances are examined and then forwarded in hardcopy to the concerned officer/public grievance officer at UIDAI. The concerned regional office/concerned section disposes of the grievance by replying directly to the complainant under intimation to the grievance cell, UIDAI.
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Public Grievance Portal Of The Government Of India
Grievances are received by the Unique Identification Authority of India through the public grievance portal – pgportal.gov.in.
- DPG (Directorate of public grievances)
- DARPG (Department of Administrative reforms & Public Grievances)
- Parent Organization
- Direct receipts
- President’s Secretariat
- Pension
- Minister’s office
- P.M.’s Office
The grievances are examined and then forwarded online to the concerned officer.
Many times, the grievance is received through e-mails by the UIDAI officials. These emails are examined and forwarded to the concerned officers. The involved officer disposes of the grievance by replying to the complainant over e-mail under intimation to the grievance cell.
9. Latest updates of UIDAI
The UIDAI has released a new app for android and IOS users to enable Aadhaar holders to download their Aadhaar card on mobile phones and keep it handy. The app is known as the mAadhaar app. The latest version of the mAadhaar app has two major sections:
1) Aadhaar Services Dashboard: A single window for all Aadhaar online services applicable to any Aadhaar holder.
2)My Aadhaar Section: Personalised space for your Aadhaar profile.
10. UIDAI Regional Offices
| Office by Region |
State or Union Territories covered |
| Mumbai |
Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Dadar & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu |
| Delhi |
Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Uttarakhand and Rajasthan |
| Bengaluru |
Kerala, Tamil Naidu, Pondicherry, Lakshadweep and Karnataka |
| Chandigarh |
Chandigarh, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh |
| Guwahati |
Tripura and Sikkim, Mizoram, Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam |
| Hyderabad |
Andaman and Nicobar, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh |
| Lucknow |
Uttar Pradesh |
Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQ’s )
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Do’s and Don’ts for Filling up Aadhaar update Form
1.The form must be filled using only capital letters
2. Fill in all the fields for updating
3. Mobile number is compulsory for any updates to take place
4. Fill the form in English and the local language used at the time of Adhar enrolment
5. Names must not have salutations such as Mr / Mrs / Ms / Dr
6. Make sure that the full and complete address as the Aadhar card will be dispatched to that address
7. Enter name clearly with signature or thumbprints when self-attesting supporting documents
8. Attach relevant documents that support the required update only
9. Incorrect information and lack of support documents will cause the application to be rejected
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What to do if you lose your Aadhaar card?
If you have lost/misplaced your Adhaar card. Not to worry. You can get a duplicate Aadhar card by downloading the PDF/ e-Aadhaar online by visiting UIDAI website and accessing Adhar online services.
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For how long is the Aadhar card valid?
The Aadhaar card/number is valid for life.
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Can Aadhaar card be made online?
No, Adhar enrolment is a one-time physical procedure that can be done at any Aadhaar enrolment centre. To find Aadhar enrolment centre near you, visit UIDAI website and search Aadhaar enrolment centre.
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What is the purpose of having an Aadhaar Card?
Aadhaar is a unique identification number that enables each resident of India with the following:
- Proof of Identity
- Proof of Address
- Access to Government Subsidy
- Eligibility to open and operate Bank Accounts
- Income Tax – Adhaar is a mandatory requirement for processing and filing income tax returns
- Phone Connection
- Gas Connection
- Mutual Fund – Aadhaar Card is beneficial to complete e-KYC for mutual fund investments
Further Information & Reading
