New Delhi: In a bold move to bolster privacy and curb data misuse, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is set to overhaul the Aadhaar card format by stripping away printed address and date of birth details, leaving just the holder’s photograph and a dynamic QR code for verification.
UIDAI CEO Bhuvanesh Kumar announced the plans on Tuesday, pointing out that physical cards with full personal information often fall prey to rampant photocopying by hotels, SIM sellers, and others, fuelling fraud. “We want to end this photocopy culture once and for all,” Kumar said, adding that retaining sensitive details encourages treating Aadhaar as a universal proof document.
Under the revised system, identity confirmation will shift to advanced face authentication. Users will scan their QR code via an Online Verification Seeking Entity (OVSE) device, triggering real-time facial recognition to verify their presence and age – a foolproof way to prevent minors from exploiting the system.
Offline verification is being phased out entirely, with a ban on it as early as December. In its place, a futuristic “super app” will replace MADHAAR within 18 months, packed with features like home-based address updates, family linking without mobile numbers, and seamless face-authenticated services.
This privacy-first revolution aligns with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, promising safer, queue-free experiences for India’s 1.4 billion AADHAAR holders.