Getting Educated on India’s Aadhaar Card: Why and How

February 5, 2021 Stan

Providing identity proof in India is not a matter to be taken lightly. Legitimacy can be often proven through various cards, depending on the situation. Along with the passport and the Indian driving license, an individual may also prove their legitimacy using an income tax pan card.

So far, there have been various cards used in different circumstances. Finally, Indian authorities have thought about a more unifying method – an all-purpose social identity document or proof, to be used universally. This is how the Aadhaar Project has come into being. Created by the Government, the project aimed to establish a unique way to prove the social identity of all Indian citizens.

The UID or Aadhaar Card was thus launched. Each piece is inscribed with a unique series of 12 digits to help identify an individual. The biometric function allows gathering data on physical features which are different from one individual to another, such as fingerprints or iris. In addition, the technology also makes use of DNA, plus hand and facial features to distinguish between individuals. Even the voice can be included.

This method does not eliminate the need of a photo of the individual to prove their identity. At this point, citizens can also be identified using their passport or driver’s license. The authorities still rely on these documents.

The unique UID number is relevant to the distribution of governmental welfare, too. The new scheme will heavily rely on it. A card exhibiting this number can have plenty of uses, starting with allowing one stay in India legally. It can thus point out to individuals staying illegally or to those having criminal intentions. India’s body of government has therefore launched a vast project aiming to control immigration and citizenship matters closely, as well as to handle the security aspect with more ease and efficiency.

A card holder isn’t necessarily an adult – children may have one, too. In fact, the project aims to reach the largest part possible of the Indian population. The card is not yet obligatory, but it could become so in the near future. The Aadhaar or UID card status can already be checked online.

Since it is a biometric document, a card of this kind can only be read with compatible technological devices. Several other Asian states have adopted similar social identification methods: China and Korea, to name a few. The system is also well known to the American public. In India, the UIDAI is the institution responsible with issuing unique Aadhaar card numbers. The cards are expected to be the most powerful verification tool to this date.