What is an Aadhar Card in India? Everything you need to know

Aadhar - Aam Aadmi Ka Adhikar

Aadhaar is one such controversial topic that sought support from the Indian judiciary. As per the Supreme Court's verdict, citizens don't need to link their Aadhaar with every financial service. Still, it is obligatory to link your Aadhaar with Pan Card and other tax compliance services.

Most of us have watched advertisements on how Aadhaar is your unique identification. However, it is not possible to know inside out just by watching a 10-sec ad. So in this piece, you will find everything you need to know about Aadhaar and some popular myths that are going around for a while.

What is an Aadhaar Card?

Aadhaar number is a 12 digit unique identification code that is issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India to permanent residents of India. The card is issued after an in-depth verification process. This card carries all the demographic and biometric information that makes you unique. Biometric information includes Ten fingerprints, two iris scans, and a facial photograph. Demographic information comprises Name, DOB, Gender, Contact number, Email-id, and more depending on the enrolment type.

The sole objective behind the Aadhaar card is to eliminate fake and duplicate identities. It is also used as the base of all government schemes and welfare programs. The verification process takes up minimal effort and cost. This is a kind program worldwide, where biometric information is issued in a card without any monetary charges. It is undoubtedly proof of identification but does not infer domicile or right of citizenship in respect of the Aadhaar cardholder.

The Aadhaar program is a strategic protocol for financial and civil inclusion, controlling fiscal budgets, public sector delivery reforms, and fosters people-centric governance. It has touched down many milestones and is one of the largest biometric-based identification systems worldwide. This unique 12 digit code helps the Indian government to connect directly with the residents of India and transmits various subsidies and benefits.

Some statistics on Aadhaar card:

Around 80% of people who have an Aadhaar card admitted that it made the delivery of government schemes and subsidies easier.

About 77% of Aadhaar card holders do not utilise its unique features like masked Aadhaar, mAadhaar, and QR code.

Around 95% of people possess an Aadhaar card and also use it once a month. Rest 5% that sums up to 102 million people, of whom 75 million are juveniles.

Benefits of Aadhaar Card for Government systems:

An Aadhaar Card is used to accelerate bureaucratic and government processes. It is an essential document for verification and KYC compliance. Here are some benefits of holding 12 digits unique identification codes.

Accession of Passport

The accession of a passport is a long term process and can be daunting at times. Getting a passport includes meetings with government authorities, processing the application, shipping the passport, and at last police verification. This process takes weeks to complete, but with an Aadhaar Card, the procedure seems hassle-free and expedited.

Indian citizens who want to obtain a passport can simply apply online by attaching an Aadhaar card as a residential proof and identification card.

To avail bank account

Nowadays, all financial institutions accept the Aadhaar card as identity proof. This makes the opening of a bank account easy and time-efficient. This document is also required for verification procedure and KYC compliance. Banks consider Aadhaar Card as a valid identity and residential proof for bank account opening and loan sanction.

Jan Dhan Yojna

The Prime Minister of India initiated the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana on Independence day, which benefitted 40.35 crore people till now. This government scheme was inaugurated on 28th August 2014 to support residents with poor financial background. Aadhaar Card is the only document needed to open a Jan Dhan bank account. Individuals who are residents of India can avail of government welfare schemes and subsidies through this account.

Shelling out Provident fund

Every employee who is on a payroll gets benefited from the provident fund. In this process, 10% of an employee's basic salary is cut every month, and the other 10% comes from the employer to sustain the worker's future life.

Employees who have linked Aadhaar Card with pension accounts can have the amount disbursed instantly to their bank account.

LPG subsidies

LPG subsidies are the payback of your transaction to use an LPG cylinder. Individuals who have linked their Aadhaar number with the 17 digit LPG ID will get the subsidy directly in their bank account.

Digital life Certificate

This government scheme is also tagged as "Jeevan Pramaan for Pensioners". It was initiated by the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi to abolish traditional means of verifying pensioners' life certificates. The sole objective of this scheme was to eradicate the requirement for the pensioners to be physically present to continue their pension.

However, now pensioners can avail their allowance by sitting at home. All the details can be digitally accessed through Aadhaar Card by the agency.

Uses of Aadhaar Card:

Identification proof

Aadhaar card does not have a specific objective behind it. As many government identification cards have a sole purpose, for example- A voter ID card is meant for electoral processes, it gives you the authority to elect a state and central representatives. Aadhaar card can be used for various purposes as it is a universal accepted id- a card that has biometric and demographic information.

Your Aadhaar card can be used as residential proof, identity proof, age proof. It is a versatile card that can be used for government and private service.

Availing subsidies from the government

Aadhaar card makes every individual eligible to receive all government subsidies. As the government has all information about its residents, it is easier to process welfare schemes for the needy.

Indian Government started the initiative of linking LPG connection with Aadhaar card so that every individual gets the subsidy directly in their respective bank accounts. This also eradicates the chances of fund misusing and fraudulent claims for availing the benefits.

Easy Availability

This 12 digits unique code is the only identity proof that is available to everyone irrespective of time and place. One can even apply online to get an e-Aadhaar Card. This is a virtual card that can be downloaded for physical use.

This virtual Aadhaar card is convenient for people always to possess a valid copy of a government-issued identification card. This also means that your Aadhaar Card can never be stolen or misplaced.

The UID program will provide valid identification proof to millions of Indian residents who do not have any ID proof earlier.

This myth was chopped off by a recent reply to an RTI query, where it was stated that only 0.03% of people who got an Aadhaar number were individuals with no government-issued ID before. Rest, 99.97% were enrolled using existing ID proofs.

The database of UID is foolproof

To nullify this myth, in March 2015 a minister stated in the parliament that about nine crore enrollment reports were dismissed due to poor quality and duplication.

Conclusion

The Unique Identification Authority of India allocates the Aadhaar card. This is an identity program that aids numerous aspects of uniqueness, financial address, e-KYC, and authentication.

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