UIDAI: All-Inclusive Guidance of Unique Identification Authority of India

India’s Unique Identification Authority (UIDAI) issues Aadhaar cards, an identification system by the Government of India. The Aadhaar card can be used for numerous things, including proof of identity and address confirmation. The UIDAI provides individuals with a secure digital identity. An Aadhaar card is also an essential tool in the fight against corrupt practises. Let us learn what UIDAI is, its background, facilities, and functionalities in this article.

Keynotes of UIDAI

UIDAI Full Form:	Unique Identification Authority of India
Type of Service:	Government office
Managed By:	Government of India
Founded Date:	28 January 2009
Headquarter:	Delhi, India
First UID Number Was Issued:	29 September 2010

What is UIDAI?

UIDAI is known as Unique Identification Authority of India. It is the municipal agency in charge of issuing unique identity cards to Indian citizens. The Government of India developed the organisation in January 2009. UIDAI aims to improve services and benefits for Indian citizens.

The Aadhaar card, which contains a unique 12-digit identity number, is issued by the UIDAI. The Aadhaar database comprises details of all individuals by relevant demographic data such as biometric data, photographs, and iris scans.

UIDAI online has established itself as the nation’s biggest platform for delivering national proof of identification. 

Furthermore, the Aadhaar card is now one of the essential proofs for proving an individual’s identity. People can even use their caste certificate to receive welfare payments and incentives.

History of UIDAI

Nandan Nilekani was officially appointed to the UIDAI Aadhaar card when it was established in January 2009. In April 2010, Nilekani created the UIDAI symbol, and the identifier Aadhaar was popularised.

On February 7th, 2012, the Unique Identification Authority of India formally launched an online gateway. 

UIDAI has grown in popularity and national recognition shortly after the release of the online platform. The reason for this growth was that the Prime Minister of India at the moment, Dr. Manmohan Singh, had termed for an Aadhaar-based advantages plan. Initially, the strategy was initiated to track capital transactions and integrate a stable and secure system that included direct payment transactions to the user’s savings account.

UIDAI created history in 2016 when the Legislative Council allowed the passing of the Aadhaar Act. It also takes effect shortly after the legislature passed the money bill in the same year. Later, the Aadhaar Act was incorporated into the Indian Gazette.

Today, 40,800,000,000 authentications for users have been done. According to the datasets, UIDAI has experienced remarkable growth. In India, Aadhaar remains the preferred proof of identity.

Services Offered by UIDAI

The UIDAI services that are used by Aadhaar number holders to perform Aadhaar authentication are as follows: 

• Ensure Aadhaar Number: Authority of Aadhaar is easily able to verify whether the Aadhaar card is valid or not.
• Authenticate Email/Contact Number: This will enable service providers and Aadhaar number holders to verify if the Aadhaar number is valid and is not deactivated.
• Lock/Unlock Biometrics: Once the biometric is locked, then it can’t be used by anyone for authentication. Thus, you must ensure that the biometric verification is performed properly.
• Aadhaar Card and Bank Account Linking: Aadhaar owners can confirm to see if their Aadhaar is linked to one of their savings accounts. The status of Aadhaar is obtained from the NPCI domain controller. According to the Supreme Court’s decision dated September 26, 2018, linking a bank account and an Aadhaar card is not required.
• Generator of Digital ID: The owner of an Aadhaar Number can create their 16-digit Digital ID. 

UIDAI Objectives

The UIDAI Aadhaar card was introduced to provide a unique id to every Indian citizen. Moreover, to bring them into the eyes of the authorities so that they can gain access to vital welfare benefits. Some of the other objectives are as follows:

• To create a standard, distinct proof of identity for residents.
• To offer a framework that will be used by all nations. In other words, an Aadhaar card will be legitimate all across the country.

UIDAI Functions 

The UIDAI is a governmental organisation responsible for developing various strategies and programmes for people. In order to reap the effectiveness offered to Aadhaar cardmembers. Some of the key functions of UIDAI are as follows:

The UIDAI has several features to make the enrolment process firmer and hassle-free. Some of the features of UIDAI are as follows:

• Modernity of the underserved: The UIDAI’s primary goal is to bring the  backward classes into the government’s awareness. So that they can take advantage of the government’s perks and incentives. The UID strategies and facilities help to improve the delivery of federal welfare amenities.
• Customer Enrolment: For Indian citizens, the UIDAI has an authentic format to look at the registration procedure and perform secure verification. Moreover, it is vital to identify fictitious activity. The method is carried out by collecting the iris fingerprints from the UIDAI’s database.
• Online verification: Privacy is a major concern, which is why the UIDAI department assures stringent online authentication.
• Flexible: The authorities of UIDAI have made it flexible for customers by launching an online facility. Even sitting at home, the user can easily perform verification for PVC cards.
• Eliminate duplication: To eliminate duplication of data, the UIDAI has created software that will avoid collisions of information on the database platform. For example, Central ID Repository (CIDR) software has the enrolment of each customer encoded after the completion of the registration process. 

UIDAI Vision and Mission

The UIDAI’s vision is to provide individual identity to all Indians. In order to avoid inconvenience during the use of the proof of identity anywhere. 

Mission: 

The government established UIDAI with a mission to fulfil the following goals:

• To develop policies, methods, and a framework to enable Aadhaar card enrollment, issuing, verification, and notifications.
• Assuring that all information given by cardmembers is kept with the utmost confidentiality.
• To provide proper and accountable management while offering cardholders subsidisation and incentives.
• Guarantee that all organisations and individuals follow the Aadhaar Ordinance.
• It offers a full framework for individuals and organisations to connect with Aadhaar facilities.
• Ensure that the information system is scalable, resilient, and available.
• To make a long-term organisation capable of carrying forward UIDAI’s values and principles.

UIDAI Core Values

The specific core values of the UIDAI are as follows:

• The UIDAI claims that the Aadhaar card will aid in the establishment of effective governance planning and implicate new federal initiatives.
• One of UIDAI’s guiding principles is to make the organisation flexible and secure.
• The UIDAI collaborates with various agencies to communicate the value of the alliance.
• UIDAI online aims to build a society that sustains human standards and offers standardised service to Indian citizens.

UIDAI Regional Offices

The table represents the UIDAI regional offices as well as their address, phone number details, and director’s name:

 

Regional Office	City	Address	Phone Number	Director’s Name of UIDAI
UIDAI Regional Office	Bengaluru	Khanija Bhavan, No. 49, 3rd Floor, South Wing Race Course Road, Bengaluru – 560001	080-22340104	Sh. Pawan Kumar Pahwa
UIDAI Regional Office	Chandigarh	SCO 95-98, Ground and Second Floor, Sector 17- B, Chandigarh 160017	0172-2711947	Sh. Jitender Setia
UIDAI Regional Office	Delhi	Ground Floor, Supreme Court Metro Station, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi-110001	11-40851426  11-40851426	Lt. Col. Sanjay Singh Rautela
UIDAI Regional Office	Guwahati	Block-V, First Floor, Housefed Complex, Beltola-Basistha Road, Dispur, Guwahati – 781 006	0361-2221819	Sh. Kensingh W. Kharbuli
UIDAI Regional Office	Hyderabad	6th Floor, East Block, Swarna Jayanthi Complex, Beside Maitrivanam, Ameerpet Hyderabad-500 038, Telangana State	040-23739269	Sh. D. Bhaskar Rao, ITS
UIDAI Regional Office	Lucknow	3rd Floor, Uttar Pradesh Samaj Kalyan Nirman Nigam Building, TC-46/ V, Vibhuti Khand, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow- 226 010	0522-2304979	Sh. Nitish Sinha
UIDAI Regional Office	Mumbai	7th Floor, MTNL Exchange, GD Somani Marg, Cuff Parade, Colaba, Mumbai – 400 005	022-22163492	Lt.Col.Akshay Yadava
UIDAI Regional Office	Ranchi	1st Floor, JIADA Central Office Building, Namkum Industrial Area, Near STPI Lowadih, Ranchi – 834 010	9031002292, 9031002298	Dr Krishna Deo Prasad Sahu

Wrapping Up

The aim of constructing an authority like UIDAI is to become the truth. The scheme to protect citizens from fraud has evolved into the leading candidate. It is also offering an identification scheme to the citizens of India.