Aadhaar

• • Aadhaar number is a 12-digit random number issued by the UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India) to the residents of India after satisfying the verification process laid down by the Authority.

• The Aadhaar Act, 2016 defines residency as, “An individual who has resided in India for a period or periods amounting in all to 182 days or more in the 12 months immediately preceding the date of application for enrolment.”

• Any individual, irrespective of age and gender, who is a resident of India, may voluntarily enrol to obtain Aadhaar number.
• Person willing to enrol has to provide minimal demographic and biometric information during the enrolment process which is totally free of cost. 
• An individual needs to enrol for Aadhaar only once and after de-duplication only one Aadhaar shall be generated, as the uniqueness is achieved through the process of demographic and biometric de-duplication.
• Aadhaar number is devoid of any intelligence and does not profile people based on caste, religion, income, health and geography.
• The Aadhaar number is a proof of identity, however, it does not confer any right of citizenship or domicile in respect of an Aadhaar number holder.
• Aadhaar identity platform enables the Government of India to directly reach residents of the country in delivery of various subsidies, benefits and services by using the resident’s Aadhaar number only.

Why in News?

• UIDAI CEO Dr. Saurabh Garg said 100 percent of the adult population of the country has an Aadhar.

Reference:

1. https://newsonair.gov.in/News?title=100-percent-of-adult-population-in-India-has-Aadhar%2c-says-UIDAI-CEO-Dr.-Saurabh-Gar&id=448095