Verify Aadhaar before accepting: UIDAI to state governments, other entities

The UIDAI maintains that verifying the Aadhaar number following the holder's consent is the right step to establish genuineness

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) on Thursday asked state governments and entities to verify Aadhaar before accepting it either in the physical or electronic form.

The UIDAI said this direction was issued to prevent the misuse of Aadhaar by anti-social elements.

“UIDAI has requested the state governments by emphasising the need for verification before usage, and has urged the states to give necessary direction so that whenever Aadhaar is submitted as a proof of identity – authentication/verification of the resident is performed by the concerned entity using Aadhaar as an identity document,” the statement said.

The verification of Aadhaar number following the consent of the Aadhaar holder is the right step to establish the genuineness of any form of Aadhaar (Aadhaar letter, e-Aadhaar, Aadhaar PVC card, and m-Aadhaar) presented by an individual.

Tampering with Aadhaar documents can be detected by offline verification, and tampering is a punishable offence and liable for penalties, the UIDAI said. UIDAI has also issued circulars addressing requesting entities, authorised to do authentication/verification emphasising the necessity of verification and specifying the protocol to be followed.

Any Aadhaar can be verified using the QR code available on all forms of Aadhaar using the mAadhaar App, or Aadhaar QR code Scanner. “Residents may voluntarily use the Aadhaar number to establish their identity by presenting their Aadhaar either in paper or electronic form..,” said the statement.