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Mar 11, 2022
5 things you didn’t know about Aadhaar
The Registrar General of India (RGI) has clarified that providing Aadhaar is not mandatory for the registration of births and deaths. If Aadhaar is provided voluntarily, it must not be printed on any document or stored in any database of births and deaths.
- Which law regulates Aadhaar?
Aadhaar is regulated by the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016. It is a 12-digit identification number specific to each individual. It is issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to the residents of India after satisfying a verification process based on demographic and biometric information.
- What are the benefits of Aadhaar?
An Aadhaar number is a unique number which eliminates the possibility of duplicate identities. In effect, your Aadhaar number is a portable proof of identity, applicable throughout India. However, merely having an Aadhaar does not mean that you are a citizen of India.
Aadhaar may be used as a primary identifier without any other documentation to avail the benefits of several Government welfare schemes, programmes, various subsidies, benefits and services. An Aadhaar Card can be used as a proof of identity, proof of address, as well as proof of age to avail various services.
- Who can apply for Aadhaar?
Irrespective of age or gender, any individual who is a resident of India may voluntarily enrol to obtain an Aadhaar number. You are considered a ‘resident’ if you have resided in India for a period amounting in total to at least 182 days in the twelve months immediately before the date of application for enrolment.
- Is Aadhaar data protected?
Yes, your Aadhaar identity information and personal details are confidential and have to be kept secure by the UIDAI, which is restricted from sharing this information unless for certain legally authorized purposes. For more information on this, you can refer to the Aadhaar (Data Security) Regulations, 2016 and the Aadhaar (Sharing of Information) Regulations, 2016.
- What can you do if you lose your Aadhaar?
In case your mobile number is registered with Aadhaar, you can retrieve your lost/forgotten Aadhaar Number (UID) or Enrolment ID (EID) here. Select the EID/UID you want to retrieve and then enter your name and mobile number (as registered during Aadhaar enrolment). You will receive your EID/Aadhaar number delivered on your email/ mobile number.
In case your mobile number is not registered with Aadhaar, you have to visit the nearest Permanent Aadhaar Enrolment centre to update your details.