Verify Aadhaar for correct identification and to curb any possible misuse
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) maintains that verification of the Aadhaar number following the consent of the Aadhaar holder is the right step to establish the genuineness of any form of Aadhaar (Aadhaar letter, e-Aadhaar, Aadhaar PVC card, and m-Aadhaar) presented by an individual.
Before accepting an Aadhaar either in physical or electronic form for establishing the identity of an individual, entities should verify the Aadhaar.
It prohibits unscrupulous elements and anti-social elements from indulging in any possible misuse. It also promotes usage hygiene and reasserts UIDAI’s stand that any 12-digit number is not an Aadhaar. Tampering with Aadhaar documents can be detected by offline verification, and tampering is a punishable offense and is liable for penalties under Section 35 of the Aadhaar Act.
UIDAI has requested the state governments by emphasizing the need for verification before usage and has urged the states to give necessary direction so that whenever Aadhaar is submitted as a proof of identity – authentication/verification of the resident is performed by the concerned entity using Aadhaar as an identity document.
UIDAI has also issued circulars addressing requesting entities, authorized to do authentication/verification, and other entities emphasizing the necessity of verification and specifying the protocol to be followed.
Any Aadhaar can be verified using the QR code available on all forms of Aadhaar (Aadhaar letter, e-Aadhaar, Aadhaar PVC card, and m-Aadhaar) using the mAadhaar App, or Aadhaar QR code Scanner. The QR code scanner is freely available for both Android and iOS-based mobile phones, as well as window-based applications.
Residents may voluntarily use the Aadhaar number to establish their identity by presenting their Aadhaar in either paper or electronic form. UIDAI has already issued dos and don’ts for residents, and residents can use their Aadhaar confidently.
