The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) on Tuesday cautioned public against going for plastic or laminated Aadhaar smart cards.
The authority said unauthorised printing could render the QR code dysfunctional or even expose personal data without an individual's informed consent and also warned unauthorised agencies against collecting Aadhaar information to print the cards.
The UIDAI said collecting such information or unauthorised printing is a criminal offence punishable with imprisonment under law.
"Aadhaar letter, its cutaway portion, downloaded versions of Aadhaar on ordinary paper or mAadhaar are perfectly valid," UIDAI said in a statement.
Besides, the unauthorised printing of Aadhaar smart cards could cost between Rs 50-300, or even more, a payment that is completely unnecessary, it said.
"...the plastic or PVC Aadhaar smart cards are often not usable as the QR code (Quick Response Code) commonly becomes dysfunctional during such unauthorised printing at some vendor/shop," said Ajay Bhushan Pandey, CEO UIDAI.
The statement further said: "Also, there could be a possibility of sharing Aadhaar details (personal sensitive demographic information) without informed consent with some devious elements".
Advising people to be cautious, Pandey asked individuals not to share their Aadhaar number or personal details with unauthorised agencies for getting it laminated, or printed on plastic cards.