Validity of downloaded Aadhaar (e-Aadhaar) as Proof of identity: Clarification by UIDAI
F.No. 14014 / 8 / 2011-Logistic Vol.II
Government of India
Ministry of Electronics & IT
Unique Identification Authority of India
Logistics Division
9th Floor, Tower-I, Jeevan Bharti Building,
Connaught Circus, New Delhi-110001
Dated the 28th April, 2017
CIRCULAR
Subject: Validity of downloaded Aadhaar (e-Aadhaar) as Proof of identity – regarding.
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is a statutory body under Section 11 of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and other Subsidies, Benefits Services) Act, 2016 (Aadhaar Act, 2016) which came into force on 12.09.2016. The UIDAI is mandated to issue 12 digit Unique Identification number called Aadhaar to the residents based on demographic and biometric information submitted by them to the UIDAI during enrollment. Aadhaar number is communicated to the residents in physical form (Aadhaar letter) by post. UIDAI also provides facility to download Aadhaar in electronic form (Downloaded Aadhaar or e-Aadhaar) on its website (https://uidai.gov.in/).
2. UIDAI is receiving requests from various organisations/individual residents seeking clarification on validity of downloaded Aadhaar (e-Aadhaar) as various authorities are not accepting downloaded Aadhaar. This circular is being issued to clarify the validity of downloaded Aadhaar (e-Aadhaar).
3. As per Section 4(3) of Aadhaar Act, 2016:
“An Aadhaar number, in physical or electronic form subject to authentication and other conditions, as may be specified by regulations, may be accepted as proof of identity of the Aadhaar number holder for any purpose”
[Explanation- For the purposes of this sub-section, the expression “electronic form” shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in clause (r) of sub-section (1) of section 2 of the Information Technology Act, 2000].
4. Further, as per Regulation 15 (1) of the Aadhaar (Enrolment and Update) Regulations, 2016:
The Aadhaar number may be communicated to residents in physical form (including letters or cards) and/or electronic form.
5. It is informed that downloaded Aadhaar (e-Aadhaar) carries Name, Address, Gender, Photo and Date of Birth details of the Aadhaar holder in similar form as in Printed Aadhaar letter. The downloaded Aadhaar also contains date of Aadhaar generation and date of Aadhaar download. The downloaded Aadhaar (e-Aadhaar) is a digitally signed document by UIDAI as per IT Act, 2000 which provides for legal recognition of electronic records with digital signatures.
6. Downloaded Aadhaar (e-Aadhaar) is, therefore, as legally valid proof of identity under Section 4(3) of the Aadhaar Act, 2016 read together with Regulation 15 (l) of the Aadhaar (Enrolment and Update) Regulations, 2016, as printed version of Aadhaar Letter.
7. It is, therefore, clarified that, Downloaded Aadhaar (e-Aadhaar) is a valid and secure electronic document which should be treated at par with printed Aadhaar letter. Ministries/Departments/State Governments/agencies accepting printed Aadhaar as proof of identity are hereby required to accept downloaded Aadhaar (e-Aadhaar) also as a proof of identity and not to discriminate it vis-a-vis printed Aadhaar.
8. This issues with the approval of CEO, UIDAI.
sd/-
(B.M. Patnaik)
Deputy Director (Logistics)
Forwarding letter by CGDA
Office of the CGDA, Ulan Batar Road, Palam, Delhi Cantt – 10
No. AN / III / 3012 / Circular Vol-VII
Dated 02.06.2017
To,
All PCsDA/ PCA (Fys) / PIFAs
CsDA/ CsFA (Fys) / IFAs/ RTCs
(Through CGDA Website)
Subject: Validity of downloaded Aadhaar (e-Aadhaar) as Proof of identity – regarding.
Please find enclosed Ministry of Electronics & IT, Unique Identification Authority of India (Logistic Division) Circular No. 14014 / 8 / 2011-Logistic Vol.II dated 28th April 2017 on the subject, for information and compliance please.
(Mustaq Ahmad)
Dy CGDA(AN)
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