UIDAI launches new services, permanent enrolment centres

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) today unveiled three new Aadhar-enabled services and announced the seeting up of the first set of permanent enrolment centres for the unique identification numbers.

The latest initiatives are part of the UIDAI's vision of empowering all residents of India with a unique identification number and a digital platform to authenticate anytime, anywhere.

The services that were launched today are Authentication service using Iris, Authentication service using One-Time PIN and eKYC (Electronic- Know Your Customer) service.

Launching the services, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia said they would give a boost to the use of the Aadhar identity platform for authenticating the identity of people.

"This is a transformational initiative, and I am sure the Aam Aadmi (common man) will start reaping the benefits of the Aadhaar project in the near future," he said.

UIDAI Chairman Nandan Nilekani said the authentication and eKYC services of UIDAI will help residents avail benefits of Aadhaar-linked services and give public and private entities an economical, secure and flexible mode of verifying user identity.

“This is a major step in the direction of enabling Aadhaar holders to avail various services by using the Aadhaar identity platform. It also makes sense for various user agencies (public or private) as they can identify a beneficiary/customer using a fast, secure, economical and paperless format," he said.

The authentication service using iris will enabe residents to authenticate identity for availing Aadhaar-enabled services by providing a combination of Aadhaar number and iris image.

The service using one-time PIN (OTP) will enable them to authenticate identity by a providing a combination of Aadhar number and OTP, received on their registered mobile number

The eKYC service will provide electronic verification of a resident’s identity and address at his request and/or with his consent.

The permanent enrolment centres (Aadhar Kendras) will facilitate enrolment of residents left out during the camps organized by the registrars in the past. The centres will also serve as Update Centres - both for biometric and demographic update.

An official press release said India is the first country in the world to offer a public Iris Authentication platform and enablement of Iris Authentication for about 350 million residents, who currently hold Aadhaar numbers.

"This is indeed a ground-breaking technology and service development. UIDAI has conducted proof of concept (PoC) exercises involving Iris technology and concluded that more than 99% of residents could be reliably authenticated," it said.

The eKYC service offered by UIDAI will enable individuals to authorise service providers to receive electronic copy of their proof of identity and address. This is a first of its kind service, on any public platform. The service makes KYC instantaneous, totally secure and paperless while enhancing privacy of data. It brings business efficiency and opens doors to innovative service provision in a manner never experienced before on a comparable scale, the release said.

eKYC service can be deployed by different agencies to verify a resident’s identity and address. Only demographic information (Name, Address, Date of Birth, Gender, Photograph & Mobile Number) that is collected during Aadhaar enrolment will be shared, at the request of, and/or with the consent of the Aadhaar number holder.

The permanent enrolment centres will facilitate the enrolment of residents left out during the camps organized by the registrars in the past. They would also serve as Update Centres – for residents who wish to update biometric or demographic data.

Registrars may choose to charge a convenience fee not exceeding Rs.10 for printing e-Aadhaar letter and Rs.15 for update requests.

Aadhaar Enabled Service Delivery is currently or will soon be linked to various government schemes such as MNREGA wage payments, PDS distribution, payment of social security benefits such as old-age payments, distribution of LPG subsidy and so on.

Currently over 400 million residents have enrolled for an Aadhaar number, while about 350 million Aadhaar numbers have been issued, the release added.

NNN