Aadhaar: Difference between revisions

{{Use Indian English|date=December 2022}}

{{Infobox project

| image              =

| caption            = "Mera Aadhaar, Meri Pehchaan"<ref name=AboutUIDAI/>

| launched            = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2009|01|28}}<ref name=AboutUIDAI/>

| country            = [[India]]

| key_people = *[[Nandan Nilekani]], Co-founder of [[Infosys]], first Chairman, UIDAI

*[[J. Satyanarayana]], [[Indian Administrative Service|IAS]], Chairman, UIDAI  

}}

Aadhaar is the world's largest [[biometric ID system]]. [[World Bank Chief Economist]] [[Paul Romer]] described Aadhaar as "the most sophisticated ID programme in the world".<ref>{{cite web|title='Adhaar' most sophisticated ID programme in the world : World Bank |url=http://www.daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay.aspx?newsID=442948|website=Daiji World|access-date=17 March 2017}}</ref> Considered a proof of residence and not a proof of citizenship, Aadhaar does not itself grant any rights to domicile in India.<ref name=AadharrNotCitizenship>{{cite web|title=Aadhaar Card not proof of citizenship: Calcutta HC|date=25 December 2016|url=http://www.livelaw.in/aadhaar-card-not-proof-citizenship-calcutta-hc/|access-date=4 March 2017}}</ref> In June 2017, the [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Home Ministry]] clarified that Aadhaar is not a valid [[identity document|identification document]] for Indians travelling to [[Nepal]] and [[Bhutan]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Aadhaar not valid for Indians travelling to Nepal, Bhutan: Home Ministry|url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/aadhaar-not-valid-for-indians-travelling-to-nepal-bhutan-home-ministry-1716773?pfrom=home-india|access-date=25 June 2017}}</ref>

Prior to the enactment of the Act, the UIDAI had functioned, since 28{{nbsp}}January 2009, as an attached office of the Planning Commission (now [[NITI Aayog]]). On 3{{nbsp}}March 2016, a [[Money bill#India|money bill]] was introduced in the Parliament to give legislative backing to Aadhaar.<ref name="Tabled-BL">{{cite news|title=Aadhaar legislation tabled as a money Bill|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/new-aadhaar-bill-introduced-as-money-bill-in-lok-sabha/article8309587.ece|work=[[Business Line]]|date=3 March 2016}}</ref> On 11{{nbsp}}March 2016, the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and other Subsidies, benefits and services) Act, 2016, was passed in the [[Lok Sabha]].<ref name="PassedLokSabha-LM">{{cite news|title=Aadhaar bill passed in Lok Sabha|url=http://www.livemint.com/Politics/UgblAmPPHetk71sjQUqcvN/Aadhaar-bill-passed-in-Lok-Sabha-the-story-so-far.html|access-date=11 March 2016|work=[[Live Mint]]|date=11 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite act|url=http://www.indiacode.nic.in/acts-in-pdf/2016/201618.pdf|year=2016|title=The Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and other Subsidies, benefits and services) Act, 2016|index=18|access-date=20 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816175154/http://www.indiacode.nic.in/acts-in-pdf/2016/201618.pdf|archive-date=16 August 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Unique Identification Authority==

The UIDAI is mandated to assign a 12-digit unique identification (UID) number (termed "Aadhaar") to all the residents of India. The implementation of the UID scheme entails generation and assignment of UIDs to residents; defining mechanisms and processes for interlinking UIDs with partner databases; operation and management of all stages of the UID life cycle; framing policies and procedures for updating mechanism and defining usage and applicability of UIDs for delivery of various services, among others.<ref name=GoInotification/> The number is linked to the resident's basic demographic and biometric information such as a photograph, ten [[fingerprint]]s and two [[iris scan]]s, which are stored in a centralised database.<ref name="WhatIs?">{{cite news|title=Learning with the Times: What is Aadhaar?|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Learning-with-the-Times-What-is-Aadhaar/articleshow/6680601.cms|access-date=29 May 2015|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=4 December 2010}}</ref>

Starting with the issuing of the first UID in September 2010, the UIDAI has been aiming to issue an Aadhaar number to all the residents ensuring that it is robust enough to eliminate duplicate and fake identities, and that the number can be verified and authenticated in an easy and cost-effective way online anywhere, anytime.<ref name="administrative1">{{Cite journal|last=Chin|first=Roger|date=June 2015|title=India's Aadhaar Project: The Unprecedented and Unique Partnership for Inclusion|url=https://jas.uitm.edu.my/images/CURRENT_ISSUES/1.pdf|journal=Journal of Administrative Science}}</ref> In a notification dated 16{{nbsp}}December 2010 the Government of India indicated that it would recognise a letter issued by the UIDAI containing details of name, address, and Aadhaar number, as an official, valid document.<ref name=RBInotification>{{cite web|title=Government of India Notification (No. 14/2010 / F. No. 6/2/2007 – ES)|url=https://rbi.org.in/scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=6284&Mode=0|website=[[Reserve Bank of India]]|access-date=7 July 2015|date=15 March 2011}}</ref> Aadhaar is not intended to replace any existing identity cards, nor does it constitute proof of citizenship.<ref name=NilekaniNotCards>{{cite news|title=Nilekani to give numbers, ministries to issue cards|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2009-07-16/news/28448725_1_ration-cards-pan-cards-biometric|access-date=27 May 2015|work=[[The Economic Times]]|date=16 July 2009}}</ref> Aadhaar neither confers [[citizenship]] nor guarantees rights, benefits, or entitlements. Aadhaar is a random number that never starts with a 0 or 1, and is not loaded with profiling or intelligence that would make it insusceptible to fraud or theft, and thus provides a measure of privacy in this regard. The unique ID also qualifies as a valid ID while availing various government services such as a [[Liquefied petroleum gas|LPG]] connection, a subsidised ration, [[kerosene]] from the [[Public Distribution System|PDS]], or benefits under [[National Social Assistance Scheme|NSAP]] or pension schemes, [[ESign (India)|e-sign]], a [[digital locker]],<ref name="Digital locker">{{cite news|title=Move to link digital locker with Aadhaar challenged|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/move-to-link-digital-locker-with-aadhaar-challenged/article7387459.ece|access-date=8 August 2015|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=5 July 2015}}</ref> a Universal Account Number (UAN) under [[Employees' Provident Fund Organisation of India|EPFO]],<ref name=PFAadhaar/> and some other services such as a SIM card or opening a bank account.<ref name="NilekaniTakesCharge">{{cite news|title=Nilekani takes charge, says first set of IDs in 12-18 months|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Nilekani-takes-charge-says-first-set-of-IDs-in-12-18-months/articleshow/4812763.cms?referral=PM|access-date=27 May 2015|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=24 July 2009}}</ref><ref name=NPCIFAQ>{{cite web|title=Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) By Customers: Aadhaar Payment Bridge (APB) System|url=http://www.npci.org.in/documents/FAQs_on_APBS_for_Customers1.pdf|website=[[National Payments Corporation of India]]|access-date=7 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150319024158/http://www.npci.org.in/documents/FAQs_on_APBS_for_Customers1.pdf|archive-date=19 March 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> According to the UIDAI website, any Aadhaar holder or service provider can verify the genuineness of an Aadhaar number through a user-friendly service of UIDAI called the Aadhaar Verification Service (AVS), which is available on its website.<ref name=VerificationService>{{cite news|title=India launches Aadhaar verification services, enrolment centers|url=http://www.zdnet.com/article/india-launches-aadhaar-verification-services-enrolment-centers/|access-date=8 August 2015|publisher=ZDNet|date=27 May 2013}}</ref><ref name=Verify>{{cite web|title=Verify Aadhaar|url=https://resident.uidai.net.in/aadhaarverification|publisher=UIDAI|access-date=9 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150710112912/https://resident.uidai.net.in/aadhaarverification|archive-date=10 July 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> Also, a resident already enrolled under the [[National Population Register]] is not required to enrol again for Aadhaar.<ref name=Where>{{cite web|title=Where to Enroll|url=http://uidai.gov.in/where-to-enroll.html|publisher=UIDAI|access-date=9 July 2015}}</ref>

In 1999 after the [[Kargil war]], the [[Kargil Review Committee]], headed by security analyst [[K. Subrahmanyam]], was formed to study the state of [[national security]]. It submitted its report to the then [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]], [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]], on 7{{nbsp}}January 2000.<ref name="KargilCommittee">{{cite news|url=http://www.frontline.in/static/html/fl1702/17020310.htm|title=A committee and some questions: A first-person account with regard to the Kargil Review Committee Report and its implications.|date=4 February 2000|work=[[Frontline (magazine)|Frontline]]}}</ref> Among its various recommendations was the proposal that citizens in villages in border regions be issued identity cards on a priority basis, with such ID cards issued later to all people living in border states.<ref name="KargilReview">{{cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2000/mar/04kargil.htm|title=The Kargil Review Committee Report: 'The fallacy of showing the LOC as running northeast to the Karakoram Pass must be exposed'|date=4 March 2000|work=[[Rediff]]|access-date=26 May 2015}}</ref><ref name="UIDConceals" />

A centralised database of the citizens of the country with a system of issuing a unique identification number/card<ref name="mospi"/> has several potential benefits to its citizens and will improve the efficiency of administration. The project, if implemented, will have obvious benefits to the statistical system.

===2009–2013===

In late November 2012 a former [[Karnataka High Court]] judge, [[K. S. Puttaswamy]], and a lawyer, Parvesh Khanna, filed a [[Public Interest Litigation]] (PIL) against the government in the [[Supreme Court of India]]. They contended that the government was implementing the project without any legislative backing. They pointed out that the National Identification Authority of India Bill 2010, which had been introduced in the [[Rajya Sabha]], was still pending.<ref name="PILResponse">{{cite news|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-11-30/news/35483074_1_aadhaar-numbers-unique-identification-authority-uidai|title=Supreme Court seeks government's response on PIL challenging Aadhaar implementation|date=30 November 2012|work=[[The Economic Times]]|access-date=27 May 2015}}</ref> They further said that since the UIDAI was proceeding only on the basis of an executive order issued on 28{{nbsp}}January 2009, it could not collect biometric data of citizens as it would be a [[violation of privacy]] under [[Fundamental rights in India|Article 21 of the Constitution]].<ref name="NoticePIL">{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Supreme-Court-notice-to-govt-on-PIL-over-Aadhar/articleshow/17433755.cms|title=Supreme Court notice to govt on PIL over Aadhar|date=1 December 2012|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=27 May 2015}}</ref> In December 2011 the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance, led by [[Yashwant Sinha]], rejected the National Identification Authority of India Bill 2010 and suggested modifications. It termed the project "unethical and violative of Parliament's prerogatives".<ref name="Panelrejects" /> On 23{{nbsp}}September 2013 the Supreme Court issued an [[interim order]] saying that the government could not deny a service to anyone who did not possess Aadhaar, as the identity number was voluntary.<ref name="AadharCourtTie" /><ref name="PuttaSwamyvsIndia">{{cite court|litigants=K. S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India|court=[[Supreme Court of India]]|year=2013|url=http://judis.nic.in/temp/494201232392013p.txt|quote=In the meanwhile, no person should suffer for not getting the Adhaar card in spite of the fact that some authority had issued a circular making it mandatory and when any person applies to get the Aadhaar Card voluntarily, it may be checked whether that person is entitled for it under the law and it should not be given to any illegal immigrant.}}</ref><ref name="TippingPoint">{{cite news|url=http://forbesindia.com/article/big-bet/how-nandan-nilekani-took-aadhaar-past-the-tipping-point/36259/0|title=How Nandan Nilekani Took Aadhaar Past The Tipping Point|date=8 October 2013|work=[[Forbes]] (India)|access-date=27 May 2015}}</ref>

===2014–2015===

On 10 June 2014, the new government disbanded four cabinet committees to streamline the decision-making process; among them was the cabinet committee on Aadhaar.<ref name="ScrapsAadhaar">{{cite news|title=Narendra Modi scraps 4 Cabinet Committees, including the one on Aadhar|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/modi-scraps-4-cabinet-committees-uidai/1/366234.html|access-date=29 May 2015|work=India Today|date=10 June 2014}}</ref> Also in June 2014, the [[Department of Electronics and Information Technology|IT Department]] held a meeting with the secretaries of the states to receive feedback on the project.<ref name="MeetingSecretaries">{{cite news|title=Aadhaar future at stake, govt seeks meeting with states|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/aadhaar-future-at-stake-govt-seeks-meeting-with-states/|access-date=29 May 2015|work=The Indian Express|date=17 June 2014}}</ref>

On 5 July 2015, finding the experience with DBT scheme in LPG "very encouraging", with a reported savings of {{INRConvert|127|b}} to the public exchequer this year, Jaitley said, "If we can realize the government's JAM—Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, Mobile—vision we can ensure that money goes directly and more quickly into the pockets of the poor and from the savings we achieve, we can put even more money for the poor. If we can be careful in our design and implementation, we can extend DBT to other commodities, so that the poor get more money to spend for their upliftment."<ref name="Growth">{{cite news|title= Need reforms backed by growth to end poverty|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/487686/need-reforms-backed-growth-end.html|access-date=6 July 2015|work=Deccan Herald|date=6 July 2015}}</ref>

On 11 March 2016 the [[Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and other Subsidies, benefits and services) Act, 2016]], was passed in the Lok Sabha.<ref name="PassedLokSabha-LM" /> During the Rajya Sabha debate on 16{{nbsp}}March, [[Sitaram Yechury]] of the [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)|CPI-M]] said that bill should not have been passed when the issue of the right to privacy was still in the Supreme Court.<ref name="YechurySpar-IT">{{cite news|title=Jaitley, Yechury spar in Rajya Sabha on Aadhaar as a Money Bill|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/jaitley-to-yechury-definition-of-intolerance-cant-be-different-for-you-and-me/1/621545.html|access-date=16 March 2016|work=[[India Today]]|date=16 March 2016}}</ref> On 16 March 2016 the bill was returned to the Lok Sabha by the Rajya Sabha with some suggested amendments,<ref name="RSReturns-HT">{{cite news|title=Rajya Sabha returns Aadhaar bill to Lok Sabha with amendments|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/rajya-sabha-returns-aadhaar-bill-to-lok-sabha-with-amendments/story-uCVCaTLOVVyOVwrHqEuOSI.html|access-date=16 March 2016|work=[[Hindustan Times]]|date=16 March 2016}}</ref> which the Lok Sabha promptly rejected.<ref name="RejectAmends-DNA">{{cite news|title=Aadhaar bill passed in Lok Sabha after rejection of amendments introduced in Rajya Sabha|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-aadhar-bill-hits-rajya-sabha-roadblock-returned-to-lok-sabha-with-amendements-2190133|access-date=16 March 2016|work=[[DNA India]]|date=16 March 2016}}</ref>

==Predominant uses of Aadhaar==

===Direct Benefit Transfer ===

{{Main|Direct Benefit Transfer}}

On 29 July 2011, the [[Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (India)|Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas]] signed a [[memorandum of understanding]] with UIDAI. The Ministry had hoped the ID system would help eliminate loss of the subsidised kerosene and LPG.<ref name=UIDAIPetroleum>{{cite news|title=UIDAI, Petroleum Ministry sign MoU on AADHAR|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/uidai-petroleum-ministry-sign-mou-on-aadhar/article542304.ece?ref=relatedNews|access-date=31 May 2015|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=30 June 2011}}</ref> In May 2012 the government announced that it would begin issuing Aadhaar-linked MGNREGS cards.<ref name=NREGAcard/> On 26{{nbsp}}November 2012 a pilot programme was launched in 51 districts.<ref name=51Districts/>

The government's own data, however, suggest that the cost of implementing the DBT for LPG was over a million dollars, a figure quite at odds with the savings figures that the government cites.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Ready Reckoner: Oil Industry Information at a Glance|publisher=Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas|year=2016}}</ref>

===Other uses by states===

Electronic-Know Your Customer (e-KYC) using Aadhaar card is also being introduced to activate mobile connections instantly to check Aadhaar Card Status.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Khan|first=Danish|date=2016-08-17|title=Electronic KYC to enable instant activation of mobile phone connections with Aadhar|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/Electronic-KYC-to-enable-instant-activation-of-mobile-phone-connections-with-Aadhar/articleshow/53726630.cms|access-date=2020-06-05}}</ref>

Any type of land parcel categories i.e. agriculture lands, rural properties & urban properties (like houses, house sites, vacant lands) are managed by all land related department in the states. These are Revenue, Panchayat Raj, Municipal Administration, Registration, Survey & Settlements, Forest, Endowments, Wakf. Under the Land Hub core platform these departments integrating their land related services and issuing a new Bhudhaar number to each land holding or property upon ownership change.

1) Textual data (like village name, name of land owner, survey number, extent, ID proof like Aadhaar, [[Voter ID (India)|voter id]] or other related documents).

The [[Bhudhaar]] issuing process contain 2 stages. Firstly Temporary Bhudhaar is assigned based on valid textual data of an agriculture land holding/rural property/urban property. It will be started with 99 and following numbers are generated on random basis only and there is no meaning for these 9 digits. But it is a unique id for that land holding / rural property/urban property. A special series number is allocated to government lands either agriculture lands or rural/urban properties.for example 99.312.725.202). "99" indicate that it is a temporary Bhudhaar.

==Impediments and other concerns==

In March 2011 Rajanish Dass of [[IIM Ahmedabad]]'s Computer and Information Systems Group published a paper titled "Unique Identity Project in India: A divine dream or a miscalculated heroism". Dass claimed that even if enrolment was voluntary, it was being made mandatory by indirect means. He pointed out that essential schemes like the [[National Food Security Act, 2013]], was being linked to the UIDAI. He also stated that the feasibility of a project of this size had not been studied and raised concerns about the quality of the biometric data being collected. He cited statements of another researcher, [[Usha Ramanathan]], that the UIDAI would ultimately have to become profit-making to sustain itself.<ref name=IIMALoopHoles>{{cite news|title=IIMA prof's study finds loopholes in UID project|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/iima-prof-s-study-finds-loopholes-in-uid-project/792408/0|access-date=30 May 2015|work=[[The Indian Express]]|date=18 March 2011}}</ref><ref name=Heroism>{{cite web|title=Unique Identification for Indians: A Divine Dream or a Miscalculated Heroism?|url=http://www.iimahd.ernet.in/assets/snippets/workingpaperpdf/17212155992011-03-04.pdf|publisher=[[IIM Ahmedabad]]|access-date=30 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150617214336/http://www.iimahd.ernet.in/assets/snippets/workingpaperpdf/17212155992011-03-04.pdf|archive-date=17 June 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On 9 November 2012 the [[National Institute of Public Finance and Policy]] (NIPFP) published a paper titled ''A cost-benefit analysis of Aadhaar''. The paper claimed that by 2015–2016 the benefits of the project would surpass the costs, and by 2020–2021 the total benefit would be {{INRConvert|251|b}} against a total expenditure of {{INRConvert|48.35|b}}. The benefits would come from plugging leakages in various subsidy and social benefit schemes.<ref name=NIPFPAadhar>{{cite news|title=NIPFP study: 52.85 per cent returns expected from Aadhaar project|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-11-10/news/35032814_1_aadhaar-project-unique-identification-authority-corruption-and-pilferage|access-date=27 May 2015|work=[[The Economic Times]]|date=10 November 2012}}</ref><ref name=CostBenefit>{{cite web|title=A cost-benefit analysis of Aadhaar|url=http://planningcommission.nic.in/reports/genrep/rep_uid_cba_paper.pdf|publisher=[[National Institute of Public Finance and Policy]]|access-date=27 May 2015|date=9 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190711144136/http://planningcommission.nic.in/reports/genrep/rep_uid_cba_paper.pdf|archive-date=11 July 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On 11 August 2015, the Supreme Court directed the government to widely publicise in print and electronic media that Aadhaar was not mandatory for any welfare scheme. The Court also referred the petitions claiming Aadhaar was unconstitutional to a Constitutional Bench.<ref name=RemainOptional>{{cite news|title=Aadhaar shall remain optional: Supreme Court|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/aadhaar-shall-remain-optional-supreme-court/article7525976.ece?homepage=true|access-date=11 August 2015|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=11 August 2015}}</ref>

In a majority opinion dated 26 September 2018, the Supreme Court upheld the use of Aadhaar.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rajagopal |first1=Krishnadas |title=Aadhaar gets thumbs up from Supreme Court |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/aadhaar-gets-thumbs-up-from-supreme-court/article25051538.ece |website=The Hindu |access-date=13 April 2019 |language=en-IN |date=26 September 2018}}</ref>

In 2013 in [[Goa]] the [[Central Bureau of Investigation|CBI]] was trying to solve the case of a rape of a schoolgirl. It approached a Goa local court saying that they had acquired some fingerprints from the scene that could be matched with the UIDAI database. The court asked the UIDAI to hand over all data of all persons in Goa to the CBI.<ref name=ShareData/><ref name=ProbeCrime/>

On 24 March 2014, the Supreme Court restrained the central government and the UIDAI from sharing data with any third party or agency, whether government or private, without the consent of the Aadhaar-holder in writing. Vide another interim order dated 16{{nbsp}}March 2015, the Supreme Court of India has directed that the Union of India and States and all their functionaries should adhere to the order passed by this court on 23{{nbsp}}September 2013. It observed that some government agencies were still treating Aadhaar as mandatory and asked all agencies to issue notifications clarifying that it was not.<ref name=ShareData>{{cite news|title=Don't exclude those without Aadhaar, share data: SC|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/supreme-court-bars-sharing-of-uidai-info-denial-of-benefits-to-those-without-aadhaar/99/|access-date=27 May 2015|work=[[The Indian Express]]|date=25 March 2014}}</ref>

===Land allotment dispute===

===Security concerns===

In May 2013, deputy director general of the UIDAI, Ashok Dalwai, admitted that there had been some errors in the registration process. Some people had received Aadhaar cards with wrong photographs or fingerprints.<ref name=DogsTrees>{{cite news|title=Dogs, trees and chairs have Aadhaar cards|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Dogs-trees-and-chairs-have-Aadhaar-cards/articleshow/20359001.cms?referral=PM|access-date=29 May 2015|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=31 May 2013}}</ref> According to Aloke Tikku of the ''[[Hindustan Times]]'', some officials of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) had criticised the UIDAI project in September 2013, with the officials saying that the Aadhaar number cannot be considered a credible proof of residence. As under the liberal pilot phase, where a person claimed to live was accepted as the address and recorded.<ref name=IBSlams>{{cite news|title=IB slams Uidai, says Aadhaar not credible as residence proof|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/newdelhi/ib-slams-uidai-says-aadhaar-not-credible-as-residence-proof/article1-1126679.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150202091524/http://www.hindustantimes.com/newdelhi/ib-slams-uidai-says-aadhaar-not-credible-as-residence-proof/article1-1126679.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 February 2015|access-date=29 May 2015|work=[[Hindustan Times]]|date=25 September 2013}}</ref>

Certain [[mobile app]]s claim to verify an Aadhaar card using a [[QR code]] scanner. However, the QR code is not a secure representation of an Aadhaar card either and can be copied and edited. The only way to validate an Aadhaar card is to perform an online validation, which will confirm that the card number is valid, confirm the postal code and gender of the holder (but not their name or photo). In theory, this means that is possible to create a false Aadhaar card using the number of a genuine holder from the same postal code with the same gender, with the card subject to a number of cases of counterfeiting.<ref>{{cite news|title=Jobless engineer made over 100 fake Aadhaar cards - Times of India|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/jobless-engineer-made-over-100-fake-aadhaar-cards/articleshow/58406979.cms|access-date=28 May 2017|work=The Times of India}}</ref>

===Application issues===

===Data leaks and security incidents===

==== 2017 ====

In March 2017, the UIDAI blacklisted a contracted agency charged with collecting biometric data, after they shared a photograph containing the personal information of Indian cricketer M.S. Dhoni. The photo was tweeted as part of efforts to promote Aadhaar enrolment in India, and showed Dhoni enrolling, including a visual of his enrolment form being fed into a computer. The image was retweeted by several people, including [[Ravi Shankar Prasad]], the then-Information and Broadcasting Minister of the Indian Government.<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 March 2017 |title=MS Dhoni's Aadhaar details leaked on Twitter, wife Sakshi complains to IT minister |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/ms-dhonis-aadhar-details-leaked-on-twitter-wife-sakshi-complains-to-it-minister/articleshow/57886970.cms |access-date=2022-07-06 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-03-29 |title=MS Dhoni's Aadhaar details made public, Ravi Shankar Prasad promises action |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/sakshi-dhoni-raises-privacy-issue-after-ms-dhoni-aadhaar-details-made-public-on-twitter-ravi-shankar-prasad-promises-action-4590310/ |access-date=2022-07-06 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

==== 2018 ====

On 5 January 2018, media correspondents from The Tribune reported that they were, by posing as buyers, able to gain administrator access to the entire Aadhaar database for a payment of {{INRConvert|500}}, revealing major security flaws.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rs 500, 10 minutes, and you have access to billion Aadhaar details |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/nation/rs-500-10-minutes-and-you-have-access-to-billion-aadhaar-details-523361 |access-date=2022-07-04 |website=Tribuneindia News Service |language=en}}</ref> Acknowledging this data breach, the Unique Identification Authority of India suspended 5000 officials from accessing the database after an investigation revealed misuse and unauthorised usage.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-01-09 |title=UIDAI blocks 5,000 officials from Aadhaar portal following reports of unauthorised usage- Technology News, Firstpost |url=https://www.firstpost.com/tech/news-analysis/uidai-blocks-5000-officials-from-aadhar-portal-following-reports-of-unauthorised-usage-4294143.html |access-date=2022-07-04 |website=Tech2}}</ref> The incident was widely reported internationally.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-01-04 |title=Personal data of a billion Indians sold online for £6, report claims |url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/04/india-national-id-database-data-leak-bought-online-aadhaar |access-date=2022-07-06 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Analysis {{!}} A security breach in India has left a billion people at risk of identity theft |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2018/01/04/a-security-breach-in-india-has-left-a-billion-people-at-risk-of-identity-theft/ |access-date=2022-07-06 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref> In response to the incident, UIDAI denied the breach, and filed a criminal complaint against the newspaper and journalists who reported the security flaws.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-01-07 |title=UIDAI files FIR against The Tribune, reporter Rachna Khaira for Aadhaar data breach story-India News , Firstpost |url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/uidai-files-fir-against-the-tribune-reporter-rachna-khaira-for-aadhaar-data-breach-story-4291109.html |access-date=2022-07-06 |website=Firstpost |language=en}}</ref>

In March 2018, an Indian security researcher noted that a vulnerability in the website of [[Indane (LPG)|Indane]] Gas, an Indian-government owned corporation supplying gas cylinders for domestic cooking, had resulted in exposing Aadhaar and personal data of every person enrolled with the Aadhaar database, and not just customers of Indane. American security website [[ZDNet]] reported that they spent a month attempting to contact the National Informatics Centre, the UIDAI, and Indian consulate officials in the United States, but did not receive a response, before they ran the story.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A new data leak hits Aadhaar, India's national ID database |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/another-data-leak-hits-india-aadhaar-biometric-database/ |access-date=2022-07-06 |website=ZDNet |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Saldanha |first=Alison |date=2018-03-30 |title=Aadhaar security flaw can give access to data without OTP: Ethical hacker |work=Business Standard India |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/aadhaar-security-and-authentication-flaw-can-give-access-to-data-without-otp-ethical-hacker-118033000123_1.html |access-date=2022-07-06}}</ref>  

In May 2018, an Indian security researcher found that Aadhaar data linked to personal information, including caste identities, religious affiliation, bank accounts, and personal addresses and mobile numbers had been left unprotected on a website of the State Government of Andhra Pradesh, resulting in the leak of data belonging to 130,000 citizens.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vidyut |date=2018-04-24 |title=New data leak allows targeting by religion, caste and locality and provides Aadhaar and bank details |url=https://www.medianama.com/2018/04/223-new-data-leak-allows-targeting-by-religion-caste-and-locality-and-provides-aadhaar-and-bank-details/ |access-date=2022-07-06 |website=MediaNama |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Government website leaked 1.3 lakh Aadhaar numbers, linked them with caste, religion: Researcher |url=https://scroll.in/latest/876775/government-website-leaked-1-3-lakh-aadhaar-numbers-linked-them-with-caste-religion-researcher |access-date=2022-07-06 |website=Scroll.in |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Virtual ID ===

=== Revolving door problem ===

=== CAG Report on the functioning of the UIDAI ===

  | title=EC to start campaign to link voter ID with Aadhaar from August 1. Check details here |access-date=2022-08-25 |work=Mint |date=2022-07-25}}</ref> The Union Government claimed that this linking will be voluntary, but the bill passed in the parliament contradicts the claim.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Poddar |first1=Umang |title=Centre claims linking of Aadhaar to voter ID is voluntary – but bill in Parliament contradicts it |url=https://scroll.in/article/1013270/centre-claims-linking-of-aadhaar-to-voter-id-is-voluntary-but-bill-in-parliament-contradicts-it |access-date=2022-08-25 |work=Scroll.in |date=2021-12-21}}</ref> The rules issued by the Union Government mention that the only "sufficient cause" for a person to not link their Aadhaar Card with the Voter ID Card is if the person does not have one. The election officials cited 'orders from above' to pressure voters into linking these documents. <ref>{{cite news |last1=Poddar |first1=Umang |title=Aadhaar-voter ID linking is voluntary, says government – but law leaves little room to avoid it |url=https://scroll.in/article/1031224/aadhaar-voter-id-linking-is-voluntary-says-government-but-law-leaves-little-room-to-avoid-it |access-date=2022-08-25 |work=Scroll.in |date=2022-08-25}}</ref>  

==References==

===Critical views===

* Deciphering Aadhaar bill, its benefits and privacy issues

* [https://medium.com/@jackerhack/a-rant-on-aadhaar-6213e002f064#.qjde53lu1 A rant on Aadhaar]