Aadhaar is a 12-digit unique identification number issued by the Indian government to every individual resident of India. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UDAI), which functions under the Planning Commission of India, is responsible for managing Aadhaar numbers and Aadhaar identification cards.
The Aadhaar project was initiated as an attempt towards having a single, unique identification document or number that would capture all the details, including demographic and biometric information, of every resident Indian individual. Currently, there are a plethora of identity documents in India including passports, permanent account numbers (PANs), driving licenses, and ration cards. The Aadhaar card / UID will not replace these identification documents but can be used as the sole identification proof when applying for other things. It will also serve as the basis for Know Your Customer (KYC) norms used by banks, financial institutions, telecom firms, and other businesses that maintain customer profiles. Aadhaar numbers will eventually serve as the basis for a database with which disadvantaged Indian residents can access services that have been denied to them due to lack of identification documents.
A resident Indian can apply for the Aadhaar number and card by submitting the existing proof of identity (passport, PAN card, driving license, etc.) and proof of address (phone/ power bill, bank statements, etc.) and by undergoing biometric profiling (fingerprints and iris scan) at any Aadhaar center.
To get an Aadhaar number, individuals have to provide minimal demographic and biometric information, which includes name, date of birth or age, gender, address, mobile number, e-mail ID (optional), fingerprints, iris scans, and a facial photo.
What are the different forms of Aadhaar
UIDAI has issued multiple forms of Aadhaar, including Aadhaar letters, eAadhaar, mAadhar, and Aadhaar PVC for residents. Aadhaar in all forms is valid. Indians can choose from the following:
Aadhaar Letter
Aadhaar letter is laminated paper-based documents issued to the residents after enrolment and update. In the event of a new enrolment or a mandatory biometric update, an Aadhaar letter is issued to the resident free of charge via regular mail.
In case the Aadhaar letter is lost or destroyed, the resident can purchase a reprint from UIDAI’s official website for Rs 50.
eAadhaar
eAadhaar is a password-protected electronic copy of Aadhaar, which is digitally signed by UIDAI. The combination of the first 4 letters of the name in capital and the year of birth (YYYY) are set as a password. eAadhaar includes a QR code for offline verification as well as the issue and download dates.
Mask Aadhaar option allows residents to mask their Aadhaar number in downloaded e-Aadhaar. In a masked Aadhaar number, the first 8 digits of the Aadhaar number are replaced with some characters like “xxxx-xxxx” while only the last 4 digits of the Aadhaar Number are visible.
As per Aadhaar Act, e-Aadhaar is equally valid for all purposes. Residents can get their e-Aadhaar/masked e-Aadhaar from UIDAI’s official website.
mAadhaar
mAadhaar is the official mobile application developed by UIDAI to provide a platform for Aadhaar holders to carry their demographic data i.e. name, date of birth, gender, and address along with photographs with them in smartphones. It features a QR code that may be used to verify it offline.
mAadhaar can be installed on all smartphones working on iOS version 10.0 and above and Android version 5.0 and above. A user can add a maximum of three profiles on one device, provided all three profiles have the same mobile number registered in their Aadhaar. This is valid in cases where members of a family have the same mobile number registered as the mAadhaar users in their Aadhaar.
mAadhaar app can be used anywhere anytime within India. mAadhaar is more than an Aadhaar card in a wallet. The mAadhaar app can be used for biometric data locking/unlocking, sharing QR code and eKYC data, updating the Aadhaar profile, and more.
Aadhaar PVC Card
Aadhaar PVC card was introduced by UIDAI in October 2020. It is easy to carry and durable. The PVC-based Aadhaar Card is a plastic card, which has a digitally signed secure QR code with photographs and demographic details with multiple security features.
This form of Aadhaar can be ordered online using an Aadhaar number, virtual ID, or enrolment ID by paying a charge of Rs 50. After application, the card is delivered to the registered address by post.
To know more about how to apply for Aadhar Click Here
Want to know about PAN Card? Click Here
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