Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) on Thursday said that in order to accept Aadhaar as proof of identity entities should verify the Aadhar. Before accepting Aadhaar, either in physical or electronic form, entities are required to verify the Aadhaar. To establish the genuineness of any form of Aadhaar (Aadhaar letter, e-Aadhaar, Aadhaar PVC card, and m-Aadhaar) presented by an individual, verification of the Aadhaar is required, said UIDAI in a press release.
Any Aadhaar can be verified using the QR code available on all forms of Aadhaar using the mAadhaar App, or the Aadhaar QR code Scanner. The QR code scanner is freely available for both Android and iOS-based mobile phones, as well as window-based applications.
UIDAI has requested the state governments to emphasize the need for Aadhar verification before usage and urged the states to give the necessary direction for Aadhaar verification if submitted as proof of identity.
READ | Govt Amends Aadhaar Rules. Supporting Documents Need To Be Updated 'At Least Once' In 10 Years
UIDAI said establishing checkpoints to cross-check the Aadhar details "prohibits unscrupulous elements and anti-social elements from indulging in any possible misuse."
While Aadhar is to be verified, the entities cannot publish data including Aadhaar in the public domain or websites. Publication of Aadhaar details is punishable under the Aadhaar act. Entities also cannot store the biometric information of Aadhaar holders collected for authentication.
Tampering with Aadhaar documents can be detected by offline verification, and tampering is a punishable offence and is liable for penalties under Section 35 of the Aadhaar Act.
Recently, the government amended Aadhaar regulations, specifying that supporting documents should be updated "at least once" by card holders on completion of 10 years from the enrolment date.
A gazette notification issued by Ministry of Electronics and IT said the updation would ensure "continued accuracy" of Aadhaar-related information in the Central Identities Data Repository (CIDR).
"Aadhaar number holders may, on completion of every 10 years from the date of enrolment for Aadhaar, update their supporting documents in Aadhaar, at least once, by submitting Proof of Identity (POI) and Proof of Address (POA) documents...so as to ensure continued accuracy of their information in the CIDR, in such manner as may be specified by the Authority from time to time," the notification said.