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
2. Aadhaar and UIDAI
With an intention to set up a robust system to eliminate duplicate/ fake identities supported by verification and authentication in a cost effective manner, the government introduced the Aadhaar. Aadhaar is a unique identification number to be issued to all residents of India. Unique Identification Authority of India was created with the objective to issue Unique Identification numbers (UID) under Aadhaar to all residents of India. Under the Aadhaar Act 2016, Unique Identification Authority of India is responsible for 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 bank account with the Aadhaar. The UIDAI provides services relating to Aadhaar on online as well as offline platforms. 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 on an offline platform, 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 m-Aadhaar, which can be downloaded from your Google Playstore.
The following services are offered through this m-Aadhaar app:
1. Profile creation – 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 vaild 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 new 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 provided, Unique Identification Authority of India also plays an important role in ensuring confidentiality, good governance, and developing methods to ensure a more robust system. Some places where the UIDAI plays an essential 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 security and confidentiality of identity, information, and authentication records of individuals.
- To ensure compliance with Aadhaar Act by all individual and agencies
- To make regulations & rules consistent with the Aadhaar Act, for carrying out the provisions of the Aadhaar Act.
6. UIDAI Ecosystem
At the core of the system, Unique Identification Authority of India has two procedures:
The enrollment 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 recognized by UIDAI for the purpose of enrolling 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 the purpose of instant authentication of residents. The Aadhaar authentication ecosystem is capable of handling tens of millions of authentications on a daily basis and can be scaled up further as per demand. The Unique Identification Authority of India has appointed a number of Authentication Service Agencies (ASAs) and Authentication User Agencies (AUAs) from various Government and non-Government organisations.
7. Organisational Structure of UIDAI
Unique Identification Authority of India is headquartered in New Delhi with eight regional offices and two data centres in India. The Authority consists of a Chairperson appointed on part-time basis, two part-time members, and a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) who shall be the member-secretary of the Authority. At the head office in New Delhi, the CEO’s team consists of seven Deputy Directors General (DDGs) and a Joint Secretary level Officers of Government of India as in-charge of various wings of Unique Identification Authority of India.
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.
78 Grievances Redressal of UIDAI
Grievances at UIDAI are received through the following modes:
Unique Identification Authority of India 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 acknowledgment for registering the complaint. The resident can further follow up for the status updates by quoting the number from the acknowledgment slip.
Residents have an option to post their grievances to Unique Identification Authority of India headquarter or regional offices.The grievances are examined and then forwarded in hardcopy to concerned officer who is a public grievance officer at UIDAI. The concerned Regional Office/Concerned Section disposes 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 in Unique Identification Authority of India through the Public Grievance Portal – pgportal.gov.in. There are following modes within the Public Grievance Portal :
- 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, grievance is received through e-mails by UIDAI officials. These emails are examined and forwarded to the concerned officers. The concerned officer disposes 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 unable aadhaar holders to download their aadhaar card on mobilbe phones and keep it handy. The app is known as mAadhaar app. The latest version of 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
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