What is Aadhaar

Aadhaar is a 12-digit unique number which the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) will issue for all residents in India. The number will be store basic demographics and biometric information photograph, ten fingerprints and iris of each individual in a central database. Aadhaar will be easily verifiable. Unique and robust enough to eliminate the large number of duplicate and fake identities in government and private databases. A random number generated, devoid of any classification based on caste, creed, religion and geography. It is a 12 digit number, not only a card It is for every individual, including infants. Means each individual of family will have separate Aadhaar UID number It enables identification and is for every resident. It doesnt establishes citizenship and is not only for Indians. Getting Aadhaar is voluntary, not mandatory It is for every resident, irrespective of existing documentation. Means individuals without identification documents can also get Aadhaar. Each individual will be given a single unique Aadhaar ID number. One cannot have multiple Aadhaar numbers. Aadhaar UID number can be used by ration card, passport or any ID based application. It will not replace other IDs. UID Authority of India will give yes or no response for any identification authentication queries. Other information will not be accessible to public and private agencies.

Aadhaar meaning
AADHAAR meaning is 'support' or 'foundation'. The name is chosen as Aadhaar number aspires to be the foundation for various applications that the government wants it to use for. The Aadhaar number has also potential of being used as a platform for private applications e.g. micro-payments, bank transactions etc.

Benefits and Uses of Aadhaar

Aadhaar means foundation, therefore it is the base on which any delivery system can be built. A resident gets benefited through many Aadhaar enabled applications.

Benefits of Aadhaar
Great potential for not-so-privileged, poor and the marginalised people, mostly living in the rural areas Clear proof of identity Facilitate entry for poor and underprivileged residents into the formal banking system Opportunity to avail services provided by the government and the private sector Giving migrants mobility of identity Financial inclusion with deeper penetration of banks, insurance and easy distribution of benefits of government schemes.

Uses of Aadhaar
Aadhaar can be used in any system which needs to establish the identity of a resident and/or provide secure access for the resident to services/benefits offered by the system. Aadhaar can be used in the delivery of the following programs: Food & Nutrition Public Distribution System, Food Security, Mid Day Meals, Integrated Child Development Scheme. Employment Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana, Indira Awaaz Yojana, Prime Ministers Employment Guarantee Program Education Sarva Shikhsha Abhiyaan, Right to Education Inclusion & Social Security Janani Suraksha Yojana, Development of Primitive Tribe Groups, Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme

Healthcare Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana, Janashri Bima Yojana, Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana Other miscellaneous purposes including Property Transactions, VoterID, PAN Card etc.