About Aadhaar : Introduction

What is Aadhaar?

Aadhaar is a 12 digit individual identification number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India on behalf of the Government of India.

This number will serve as a proof of identity and address, anywhere in India. Aadhaar letter received via India Post and e-Aadhaar downloaded from UIDAI website are equally valid.

Any individual, irrespective of age and gender, who is a resident in India and satisfies the verification process laid down by the UIDAI can enrol for Aadhaar.

Each individual needs to enroll only once which is free of cost.

Each Aadhaar number will be unique to an individual and will remain valid for life. Aadhaar number will help you provide access to services like banking, mobile phone connections and other Govt and Non-Govt services in due course.

Some other information about Aadhaar:

Aadhaar will be:
  • Easily verifiable in an online, cost-effective way
  • Unique and robust enough to eliminate the large number of duplicate and fake identities in government and private databases
  • A random number generated, devoid of any classification based on caste, creed, religion and geography
Aadhaar isAadhaar is not..
  1. A 12-digit unique identity for every Indian individual, including children and infants
  2. Enables identification for every resident Indian
  3. Establishes uniqueness of every individual on the basis of demographic and biometric information
  4. It is a voluntary service that every resident can avail irrespective of present documentation
  5. Each individual will be given a single unique Aadhaar ID number
  6. Aadhaar will provide a universal identity infrastructure which can be used by any identity-based application (like ration card, passport, etc.)
  7. UIDAI will give Yes/No answers to any identity authentication queries
  1. Just another card
  2. Only one Aadhaar card per family is enough
  3. Collects profiling information such as caste, religion, and language
  4. Mandatory for every Indian resident who has identification documents
  5. An individual can obtain multiple Aadhaar ID numbers
  6. Aadhaar will replace all other IDs
  7. UIDAI information will be accessible to public and private agencies