Imagine, how nice it would be to not have to take a day off work or wait in long lines to update your Aadhaar information. For millions of Indians who have had this same problem, help may soon be just a tap away.
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is making a big push to go digital by creating a new mobile app called "e-Aadhaar." This app, still in the development phase, will let people update their name, address, date of birth, and mobile number directly from their smartphones.
Most updates to go all-digital
Right now, you have to go to enrollment centers in person to make changes to your Aadhaar, even small ones. But this is going to change with the new app. The app is being made to handle most updates from a distance, making it possible to change your name or address without having to go to an office, a News 18 report said, citing UIDAI sources. This could change the game for people who live in remote or rural areas or who have a hard time taking time off from work.
Changes to biometric data, like fingerprints or iris scans, will still need to be verified in person. Even for those, the deadline for mandatory in-person updates is being pushed back to November 2025, which gives people plenty of time.
AI and Face ID will make Aadhaar safer and smarter
The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Face ID technology is going to be a major highlight of the new app. These tools will not only speed up the process of updating, but they will also make it much safer. Users will be able to log in safely using facial recognition, instead of using passwords or OTPs, which will lower the risk of identity theft or fraud.
Government Databases for Automatic Verification
With the help of the app, retrieving supporting documents from government-verified databases will be just a click away. Meaning - if a user submits a details of their address, the app will be able to connect to PAN database, passport office, driving licence registry among other sources to cross-verify the submitted details. Additionally, to confirm residential addresses, widely accessible documents like electricity bills may be accepted.
Why The App Matters To You
In India, there are already over 130 crore Aadhaar holders, many of whom live in areas with restricted access to Aadhaar facilities or face challenges including low digital literacy, transportation difficulties, or limits relating to their jobs. For these individuals, a time-consuming and often frustrating process might be greatly streamlined by this new app.
Significantly, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and UIDAI are spearheading a broader digital governance initiative that includes the new mobile app.
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