Aadhaar

Aadhaar is a unique identification number issued by the Indian government to residents of India. Managed by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), Aadhaar is the world's largest biometric identification system. It consists of a 12-digit number that is linked to an individual's biometric data, including fingerprints, iris scans, and a photograph, as well as demographic information such as name, address, and date of birth. Aadhaar was conceived and launched under the leadership of Nandan Nilekani, who was appointed as the chairman of UIDAI in 2009. The program was officially introduced on 28th January 2009 with the aim of providing a unique identity to every resident of India.

The primary purpose of Aadhaar is to serve as proof of identity and address for residents of India. It is used extensively across various government and private sector services for identity verification, including the distribution of subsidies, pensions, and other social welfare benefits. Additionally, Aadhaar is used for opening bank accounts, filing tax returns, and even obtaining mobile phone connections.

Aadhaar has been instrumental in streamlining access to government services and reducing fraud by ensuring that benefits reach the intended recipients. However, it has also been the subject of debate and legal scrutiny regarding privacy concerns and the potential for misuse of personal data. Despite these concerns, Aadhaar remains a critical component of India's digital infrastructure.