The government is preparing to introduce a major change related to Aadhaar cards.
Soon, hotels, event organizers, and similar venues will no longer be allowed to accept or keep physical photocopies of Aadhaar cards.
According to a senior official, storing paper copies puts personal data at risk and also violates the Aadhaar Act.
UIDAI has already approved this rule, and it will be formally announced soon.
Under the new system, any organization that wants to verify Aadhaar offline must register with UIDAI and complete the verification digitally.
Why This Change Is Important
UIDAI chief Bhuvnesh Kumar explained that organizations will now have to use QR codes or app-based verification through a secure API.
This means you won’t need to hand over a hard copy of your Aadhaar to hotels, event venues, or similar places anymore.
The goal is to reduce the chances of Aadhaar misuse and end outdated paper-based verification.
Digital verification will be faster, safer, and more reliable.
UIDAI’s New App: What to Expect
UIDAI is also testing a new app that will support app-to-app verification. One major advantage is that it won’t need a constant connection to a central server.
This will make verification smoother at airports, retail stores, events, and other locations where network connectivity can be inconsistent.
The app will also let users update their addresses and add family members who don’t have mobile phones.
Key Benefits of the New System
One of the biggest improvements is the elimination of server downtime. Currently, verification often fails due to technical issues in the server network.
With QR-based and offline app verification, the entire process becomes more reliable.
UIDAI says this upgraded model will offer stronger privacy protection and remove the risk of Aadhaar leaks from paper photocopies.
The new system also follows the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, which will be fully enforced within the next 18 months.
