Unique Identification Authority of India

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is the government agency responsible for issuing the Aadhaar number, a 12‑digit unique identifier, to every resident of India. It collects demographic information such as name, address, date of birth and gender, together with biometric data including fingerprints, iris scans and a facial photograph. This information is stored in the Central Identities Data Repository (CIDR) and is used to verify identity through online authentication services. UIDAI provides both demographic authentication (via one‑time passwords) and biometric authentication (fingerprint or iris) to enable access to a wide range of services. These services include welfare subsidies, banking, mobile telephony and various public‑and‑private sector transactions.

The authority operates across the entire country, with enrollment centers located in states, union territories and even remote areas to capture residents’ data. It processes a large number of authentication requests each day, supporting real‑time verification for a high volume of transactions. UIDAI’s infrastructure is designed to handle high volumes while maintaining uptime for critical services. The nationwide reach makes Aadhaar a foundational element of India’s digital identity ecosystem.

UIDAI was established as a statutory authority under the Aadhaar Act, 2016 and functions under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India. Its core mandate is to ensure the accuracy, security and confidentiality of the identity data it manages. The agency has faced notable security challenges, exemplified by the February 2021 incident in which a China‑linked state‑sponsored threat actor (TAG‑28) compromised the biometric database containing fingerprints, iris scans and photographs. This breach highlighted the risks associated with storing immutable identifiers and prompted reviews of protective measures. Despite these incidents, UIDAI remains the sole issuer of a universal identity number that underpins both governmental and commercial applications in India.

As a government body, UIDAI does not have a private parent company or subsidiaries; it is an independent statutory entity accountable to the elected government. The organization is headed by a Chairman appointed by the President of India on the recommendation of the Union Cabinet. Funding and policy direction come from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, aligning its operations with national digital‑identity strategy. This structural arrangement underscores its role as a public‑service institution rather than a commercial enterprise.