New Delhi: Minister of State for Commerce and Industry and Electronics & Information Technology, Mr Jitin Prasada, on Wednesday dedicated the new Aadhaar App to the nation, marking a significant milestone in India’s digital identity ecosystem. Developed by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), the app is designed to put people at the core of identity verification, ensuring secure, convenient, and privacy-first access for Aadhaar Number Holders (ANH).
After unveiling the app, Mr Prasada congratulated UIDAI for its “commendable work” and emphasized that Aadhaar continues to be a showpiece of digital governance, streamlining service delivery and making it more seamless. He added that the new app will further accelerate the government’s efforts to provide hassle-free access to services across India.
Citizen-Centric Design: Privacy, Consent, and Convenience
Addressing the launch, S Krishan, a 1989-batch IAS officer from the Tamil Nadu cadre and Secretary, Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY), highlighted that the app promotes data minimization, enhances security, and allows selective sharing of information by Aadhaar number holders. The app places control firmly in the hands of residents, empowering them to decide what personal information to share and when.
The app embodies the principles of public trust, good governance, and citizen empowerment, ensuring that digital identity is not just a technological achievement but a people-centric service.
Key Features and Use Cases
The Aadhaar App is designed for ease of use across all types of users and supports a wide range of real-life applications, including:
- Hotel check-ins using Offline Verification Seeking Entity (OVSE) QR code scanning
- Optional face verification for added security
- Age verification for cinema ticket bookings
- Hospital admissions for visitors and attendants
- Verification of gig workers and service partners
Advanced functionalities include –
- Face verification for proof of presence
- Biometric lock/unlock in a single click
- Viewing of authentication history
- QR-based contact card for easy sharing of contact details
- Management of up to five Aadhaar profiles on a single device, enabling “One Family – One App”
Additionally, residents can now update their registered mobile numbers through the app, along with address updates, with more update services planned in the future.
Selective Credential Sharing Ensures Privacy
Shri Bhuvnesh Kumar, CEO of UIDAI, emphasized the app’s selective credential sharing feature, allowing residents to share only the specific identity fields required for a particular use case through customized QR codes. This ensures that Aadhaar numbers are not stored by verifiers and only digitally signed verifiable credentials are shared, promoting data minimization in line with the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act.
Moving From Paper to Paperless
Shri Neelkanth Mishra, Chairman of UIDAI, said the launch represents a significant step forward in the journey from paper to paperless. UIDAI remains committed to placing people at the center of innovation and ensuring that Aadhaar continues to serve as a trusted and inclusive digital public infrastructure.
With the launch of the new Aadhaar App, India reaffirms the principle that technology must be resident-centric, inclusive, and built on trust, reinforcing its position as a global leader in digital identity management.
