Government readies Aadhaar checks for concerts, deliveries with upcoming app

The Aadhaar app is set for formal launch in a couple of months

The Centre is paving the way for Aadhaar-based identity checks for everything from entering concerts and hospitals to verifying food-delivery personnel, with a new Aadhaar app set for a formal launch in the coming months.

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is also preparing a fresh set of regulations to support these expanded authentication scenarios, senior officials said during a closed-door industry webinar on November 18.

According to officials in the webinar, the app aims to simplify identity verification for both individuals and businesses while introducing new privacy controls, selective data sharing and an offline proof-of-presence mechanism.

Selective data sharing, proof of presence

Officials described the app's one of core features is sharing selective Aadhaar attributes. "Only individuals can approve the information necessary for a specific service," a senior official said.

For example, during the webinar a presentation on potential use cases, officials said that a user seeking entry into an event may share only their photograph and name; a cigarette purchase may require only age verification (“above 18”), with nothing else disclosed.

A new offline proof-of-presence system using on-device facial verification is also on the cards.

"Unlike Aadhaar authentication today, which requires connecting to UIDAI’s servers, the new method will work entirely locally on the user’s phone," a second official said during the meeting.

The receiving organisation — classified as an Offline Verification Seeking Entity (OVSE) — will receive a signed confirmation that the individual was physically present at the time of verification.

UIDAI emphasised that the feature is distinct from face authentication used by government departments and banks currently.

"It is designed specifically to avoid constant database connectivity or the need for entities to become full-fledged Authentication User Agencies (AUAs)," they explained.

New use cases: hotels, gated communities, deliveries, concerts

Officials also laid out a wide range of potential use cases for the new Aadhaar app across public and private sectors. These include:

• Hotel and lodge check-ins
• Gated society access control
• Office and data-centre entry
• Hospital admissions
• Student verification during exams
• Workforce checks for cab aggregators, food delivery platforms and household workers
• Age-gated purchases
• Entry to cinemas, public events and concerts
• A DigiYatra-like process for ticketed travel within the country

Addressing current misuse and compliance concerns

UIDAI officials during the session also pointed out that some businesses currently circumvent the authentication rules by asking customers to manually fetch Aadhaar information from the UIDAI website using OTP-based login.

"Many of the entities do not have sufficient numbers to go for authentication. The cost involved in the authentication process, license fee, and the usage charges are not conducive… many of these entities are trying to use Aadhaar through individuals by going to the portal and asking the user and bypass the capture process, get an OTP and then get the Aadhaar, which is an illegal way. And whenever it is noticed, it is stopped," an official said.

The new app, they said, offers a lawful, consent-driven mechanism that does not impose the financial and technical burdens associated with becoming an Aadhaar User Agency (ADA)

New regulations and onboarding process

To operationalise the system, UIDAI will shortly issue new regulations governing offline verification through the app. This will give legal backing to how credentials are shared and stored.

Any legally registered entity will be able to apply online to become an OVSE, undergo document checks, complete technical integration, and begin generating QR codes for customers.

A “nominal” fee is expected to be notified.

Launch in final stages

UIDAI officials said the app is now in its pre-launch phase, with engineering and product teams conducting industry outreach and stability testing.

The goal, they added, is to make Aadhaar identity sharing entirely consent-based, secure and paperless. while opening the ecosystem to private-sector participation without the complexity of existing authentication models.