UIDAI

Unique identification project was initially conceived by the Planning Commission as an initiative that would provide identification for each resident across the country and would be used primarily as the basis for efficient delivery of welfare services. It would also act as a tool for effective monitoring of various programs and schemes of the Government.

Mission

The role that the Authority envisions is to issue a unique identification number (UIDAI) that can be verified and authenticated in an online, cost-effective manner, which is robust enough to eliminate duplicate and fake identities.

Timelines

The first UIDAI numbers will be issued over the next 12-18 months counted from August 2009. The first number would be issued between August 2010 to February 2011. Over five years, the Authority plans to issue 600 million UIDs. The numbers will be issued through various ‘registrar’ agencies across the country.

UIDAI being an agency of the Government of India responsible for implementing the AADHAAR scheme, a unique identification project by providing a unique identification number to all persons resident in India,. It will own and operate the Unique Identification Number database of residents containing biometric and other data.

Aadhaar Authentication

Aadhaar authentication is the process wherein Aadhaar Number, along with other attributes, including biometrics, are submitted online to the CIDR for its verification on the basis of information or data or documents available with it. Aadhaar authentication provides several ways in which a resident can authenticate themselves using the system. At a high level, authentication can be ‘Demographic Authentication’ and/or ‘Biometric Authentication’.

During the authentication transaction, the resident’s record is first selected using the Aadhaar Number and then the demographic or biometric inputs are matched against the stored data which was provided by the resident during enrolment process. Fingerprints in the input are matched against all stored 10 fingerprints.