The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is a statutory authority established by the Government of India to issue Unique Identification Numbers (UID), also known as Aadhaar numbers, to residents of India.
- Establishment:
- The UIDAI was established in January 2009 by the Government of India under the provisions of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016.
- The authority was created with the mandate to issue Aadhaar numbers, maintain the Central Identities Data Repository (CIDR), and implement Aadhaar-enabled services across the country.
- Mandate:
- The primary mandate of UIDAI is to issue unique identification numbers (Aadhaar numbers) to residents of India, including citizens and non-citizens.
- Aadhaar serves as a unique identifier for individuals, enabling them to access various government services, benefits, and subsidies, as well as private sector services.
- UIDAI is responsible for collecting demographic and biometric information of residents, verifying their identity, and issuing Aadhaar numbers based on the information provided.
- Functions:
- Enrollment: UIDAI is responsible for setting up enrollment centers across the country where residents can enroll for Aadhaar by providing their biometric and demographic information.
- Aadhaar Generation: Upon successful verification of the information provided, UIDAI generates a unique 12-digit Aadhaar number for each resident.
- Aadhaar Authentication: UIDAI provides authentication services that allow individuals to prove their identity electronically using Aadhaar, facilitating access to various services and benefits.
- Data Security: UIDAI is tasked with ensuring the security and confidentiality of the data collected during the enrollment process and maintaining the integrity of the Central Identities Data Repository (CIDR).
- Aadhaar-Enabled Services: UIDAI promotes the use of Aadhaar for delivering government services, subsidies, and benefits, as well as for enabling financial transactions, digital payments, and e-governance initiatives.
- Structure:
- UIDAI is headed by a Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), who is appointed by the Government of India.
- The authority consists of various divisions and departments responsible for enrollment, authentication, technology development, data management, and policy formulation.
- It operates through a network of regional offices, state offices, and enrollment centers located across different states and Union territories of India.
- Legal Framework:
- UIDAI operates under the legal framework provided by the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016, and related regulations and guidelines.
- The Act specifies the powers, functions, and responsibilities of UIDAI, as well as the rights and obligations of individuals regarding the use of Aadhaar.
- Privacy and Security:
- UIDAI is committed to safeguarding the privacy and security of Aadhaar holders’ data and has implemented robust measures to prevent unauthorized access, misuse, or disclosure of personal information.
- It adheres to stringent data protection standards and guidelines, including encryption, biometric authentication, and stringent access controls.
Overall, the Unique Identification Authority of India plays a crucial role in providing a unique identification system for residents of India, enabling them to access government services, benefits, and subsidies efficiently while ensuring the security and privacy of their personal information.
