e-Aadhaar, a valid proof of identity

In a bid to allay concerns of stakeholders on the validity of e-Aadhaar and cut-away portion of Aadhaar letter, UIDAI on Monday said either of the two will be considered a valid proof of identity and address.

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) which is implementing the Aadhaar project clarified in a statement that both--e-Aadhaar and cut-away portion of Aadhaar letter, is to be considered as a valid proof of identity and address.

The Information Technology Act, 2000 provides for legal recognition of electronic records with digital signatures. Hence e-Aadhaar is to be treated as a valid document in view of the fact that it has been digitally certified, the authority said in statement.

According to the UIDAI, the e-Aadhaar document is digitally signed, using certificate issued by NIC as per the IT Act. Further, all the data printed in e-Aadhaar is the same data as printed in Aadhaar letter, making it a valid and secured electronic document, which should be treated at par with a printed Aadhaar letter.

A "Resident Portal" had been launched to enable the residents download their e-Aadhaar, an electronically generated Aadhaar letter, from the website of UIDAI.

In addition, Common Service Centres, set up in states, are also catering to the needs of the residents with regards to download and printing of e-Aadhaar. UIDAI has been receiving complaints from residents regarding refusal of acceptance of cut away portion of Aadhaar letter as a valid document, it stated.

The authority said the cut away portion of Aadhaar letter is as an officially valid document as it contains all the details of Aadhaar letter such as name, address, Aadhaar number, photograph and logo of the Aadhaar Project.

It also carries a quick response (QR) code containing the demographic details of the resident, it added.