AADHAAR is a randomly generated 12 digits unique identification number assigned to the resident of India. It is issued by the UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India) on behalf of the Government of India. It is available to all the legal residents of India and all Indian citizen regardless of their resident status. All legal residents of India, including Indian citizen, foreign nationals who are legal residents of India regardless of their nationality and / or citizenship, as well as all NRI (non resident Indian citizen) who are resident of other countries, are eligible to enrol in AADHAAR. AADHAAR can be enrolled in by all eligible candidates voluntarily regardless of their age, gender, caste, religion or financial status.
AADHAAR enrolment is free of cost, there is no fees / charges of any kind for new enrolment. Whoever wishes to apply for AADHAAR has to provide their demographic and biometric (iris scan, fingerprints scan and photograph) information during the enrolment process. Details like caste, religion, income, health, geography, etc. are not captured in the AADHAAR enrolment process. Individuals can enrol for AADHAAR only once, any attempt to enrol multiple times will be rejected by the process of de-duplication using their demographic and biometric information. This de-duplication process makes sure that only one AADHAAR is issued to the enrolling individual. This makes AADHAAR a strong system to eliminate any fake identities and enabled it to be used as a valid Proof of Identity document.
AADHAAR is the largest biometrics based online identification system in the world. Verification for AADHAAR is done online in a cost efficient way. Because of its centralized online implementation, AADHAAR can be authenticated from anywhere at any time in India. The AADHAAR system simplifies the mobility of millions of people who migrate from one part of the country to another. AADHAAR can be used as online as well as offline identity verification as the case may be.
AADHAAR can be used as identification document at various service providers like financial institutions, mobile phone providers, cooking gas providers, passport, PAN card, etc. which makes the e-KYC process simpler and efficient for all. AADHAAR, when it's linked to the respective service provider, enabled the Government of India to deliver various subsidies, benefits and services by using the resident's AADHAAR number only. This ensures transparency and good governance, ensuring that subsidies, benefits and services are
delivered to the intended beneficiaries only.
Click here to know more about new AADHAAR registration enrolment process. Click here for the list of documents for AADHAAR enrolment. Click here for the list of AADHAAR centres near you.