The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is a statutory authority established by the Government of India under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, Government of India. UIDAI was created with the objective to issue Unique Identification numbers (UID), named as “Aadhaar”, to all residents of India to eliminate the duplicate and fake identities, and to create a single source of identity verification.
Aadhaar is a 12-digit unique identity number that serves as a proof of identity and address anywhere in India. It is issued to individuals after collecting their biometric and demographic data. Aadhaar has become an essential document for various purposes including opening a bank account, getting a mobile connection, availing government subsidies, and more.
UIDAI ensures the proper collection, storage, and authentication of Aadhaar data to maintain the integrity and security of the system. It also provides various online services for Aadhaar cardholders such as checking Aadhaar status, downloading Aadhaar card, updating Aadhaar details, and locking/unlocking Aadhaar biometrics.
However, it’s important to note that while Aadhaar is widely used and recognized, concerns have been raised regarding privacy and security of the data collected by UIDAI. The authority has taken steps to address these concerns and strengthen the security measures to protect Aadhaar data.