Major Changes Coming to Aadhaar Card Services
Soon, carrying physical copies of your Aadhaar card will become unnecessary. A new app is being launched that will allow electronic Aadhaar sharing via a QR code.
Aadhaar Update: India's Digital India initiative receives another significant boost. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is taking a major step towards making Aadhaar-related services more streamlined, accessible, and secure. UIDAI is preparing to launch a new mobile app enabling users to perform several crucial Aadhaar updates from the convenience of their homes.
This new app will not only facilitate Aadhaar updates but will also aid in the secure exchange of Aadhaar-related data. Information such as phone number, name, address, and date of birth can be easily updated without visiting an Aadhaar center.
The New App: A Smart Solution for Identity and Security
According to UIDAI, this new app will be fully available to the public by November 2025. Through this app, users can share an e-copy of their Aadhaar via a QR code, eliminating the need for physical copies and reducing the chances of tampering or misuse. Users can choose to share a masked Aadhaar (where a portion of the Aadhaar number is hidden) or the complete Aadhaar number.
Updating Name and Address Made Easy
UIDAI CEO Bhuvnesh Kumar stated that, except for biometric information (fingerprint and iris scan), everything else can be updated from home. This means that information such as name, date of birth, gender, mobile number, and address can be easily changed using the new UIDAI app.
Previously, these tasks required visiting an Aadhaar service center or a certified agency, often involving long queues and wasted time. The new app will alleviate this inconvenience and digitize the entire process.
Sharing Electronic Aadhaar via QR Code
Aadhaar can now be shared not just as an Aadhaar number or photocopy, but securely via a QR code. This feature will be particularly useful for hotel check-ins, identity verification at airports, and government service applications. Identity verification will be done by scanning the QR code, curbing fraudulent identity cases.
UIDAI states that this feature will give users more control over their data, allowing them to decide who, how much, and when to share their data.
A New Method for Document Verification
UIDAI is developing a new system that will automatically retrieve citizens' information from various government databases. For example, UIDAI will cross-verify information from databases such as 10th mark sheets, driving licenses, passports, PAN cards, ration cards (PDS), and MNREGA. This will significantly reduce the possibility of fraudulent Aadhaar registrations.
The plan is to also integrate databases of domestic documents like electricity bills into this system, further simplifying the Aadhaar update process.
Curbing Real Estate Fraud
UIDAI is collaborating with state governments to link property registration with Aadhaar. Fraudulent documents are often used during land and property registration, leading to many being scammed. UIDAI aims to verify identities through Aadhaar in sub-registrar and registrar offices to minimize the possibility of fraud.
Mandatory Biometric Updates for Children
According to UIDAI, biometric data for children must be updated twice – once between the ages of 5 and 7, and again between 15 and 17. However, a large number of children have yet to receive these updates. UIDAI is launching a special campaign to expedite this process. A national campaign will be launched to complete the first update for approximately 80 million children and the second update for 100 million adolescents.
Convenience for Hotels and Private Companies
UIDAI's reach extends beyond government agencies. It is preparing to partner with private companies as well. The app will be beneficial for hotels, travel agencies, security firms, and other private institutions. They can use the app's QR code feature to verify customer identities, ensuring both transparency and security.
2000 Machines Updated
UIDAI has updated approximately 2000 out of nearly 100,000 Aadhaar update machines to the new system. All machines are gradually being updated to implement this feature nationwide. This new system, along with the mobile app, is entirely self-reliant and designed for citizen convenience.
A Strong Step Towards Digital India
UIDAI's app will not only simplify citizens' lives but also strengthen the Indian government's Digital India mission. It will create a secure, transparent, and reliable platform. People will no longer need to carry documents repeatedly, and control over their personal data will remain in their hands.
