UIDAI launches digitally signed QR code with photo on e-Aadhaar

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has brought in secured digitally-signed QR Code on e-Aadhaar. It will contain photograph of Aadhaar holder in addition to demographic details. The small QR code will be on front side of cutaway portion of e- Aadhaar, with demographic data. It will also have UIDAI digital signature to make this information more secured and tamper-proof.

Key Facts

QR code is form of barcode label which contains machine-readable information while e-Aadhaar is electronic version of Aadhaar that can be downloaded from official UIDAI website. The digitally signed QR code will contain photo of Aadhaar holder in addition to existing facility of demographic details. It will allow various user agencies like banks to verify the authenticity of Aadhaar card offline. This is a simple offline mechanism to quickly verify the genuineness of the Aadhaar card.

Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI)

UIDAI is nodal statutory organization behind the Aadhaar, a 12 digit unique number. It was granted statutory status by Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016. Aadhaar is 10 digit number is linked with an individual’s demographic and biometric information, which serves as an authentication tool throughout India. Using Aadhaar, Union and State Governments are trying to link many of their major development and subsidy schemes to reduce leakages and duplication.

Month: Current Affairs - April, 2018