UIDAI New Aadhaar Change Plan

UIDAI New Aadhaar Change Plan

Why in News?

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is preparing a significant redesign of the Aadhaar system to enhance data protection and user privacy. Under the proposed plan, the Aadhaar card will display only the holder’s photograph and a secure QR code, removing other sensitive information from the physical document. 

Highlights of UIDAI’s New Aadhaar Redesign Plan

• The UIDAI has begun preparing a comprehensive redesign of the Aadhaar card format. The authority aims to simplify the physical card by presenting only essential identity elements on the surface. 
• According to the new plan, the new version of the card will show only the holder’s photograph and a secure QR code that stores digitally signed demographic and biometric information, framed to support evolving digital ecosystems.
• UIDAI plans to include essential demographic and biometric references within the QR code. The QR code will allow offline authentication, which means agencies will be able to verify identity even in areas with limited connectivity. 
• Users who prefer digital formats will continue to access their Aadhaar through the mAadhaar app and downloadable versions, which will also be updated to reflect the minimal-information approach. 
• UIDAI has planned to introduce the new regulatory framework for this redesign by December 2025. The implementation will likely follow a phased approach across the country. 
• UIDAI has indicated that the transition period may extend into 2026, as agencies update their verification devices and software to read the upgraded QR code. 

Reasons Behind the New Aadhaar Redesign Plan

• Reduce Data Exposure: UIDAI decided to redesign the Aadhaar format because many people still share photocopies of their cards during basic services. This habit increases the risk of data exposure. The present card shows name, address, gender and date of birth on the surface. UIDAI observed repeated misuse cases as Aadhaar enrolment crossed 100 crore users by 2016. The authority now wants a card that limits visible information. 
• Focus on Privacy Standards: UIDAI began strengthening privacy safeguards after the Supreme Court judgment of August 2017, which held privacy as a fundamental right. The authority has since reviewed Aadhaar’s physical format to reduce exposure of sensitive information. The redesign supports privacy-by-default principles that the government has been applying across digital systems.
• Stop Fake Prints: UIDAI has recorded several cases where unauthorized agents misused Aadhaar photocopies, especially during telecom and financial verifications. These incidents became more visible after Aadhaar-linked services expanded sharply between 2014 and 2024. Many people shared their cards without proper caution. UIDAI wants to stop this pattern by reducing what the card displays. 
• Secure Digital Verification: India has seen rapid expansion of digital verification systems since 2018, when UIDAI introduced improved offline authentication tools. Many agencies now use QR scanners instead of manual checking. UIDAI wants the Aadhaar card to reflect this shift. The new design supports a model where verification happens through a scan that reads digitally signed information. 

Benefits of Aadhaar’s New QR Feature Update

• No Need to Share Aadhaar Number: The new QR feature allows verification without showing the Aadhaar number. A person only needs to present the QR code for scanning. The system supports safer interactions during banking, telecom, and government services.
• Data Becomes Visible Automatically After Scan: The QR code reveals essential information such as photograph, name, and date of birth after a secure scan. The system shows only what is required for basic verification. The digital process removes the need to display the entire Aadhaar card. The response happens instantly through authorized devices.
• Tamper-Proof Digital Storage: The QR code holds encrypted data that cannot be changed or manipulated. The system ensures tamper-proof protection through strong cryptographic standards. Unauthorized individuals cannot alter any information stored inside the code. 
• Offline Verification Without Internet: The QR code supports secure offline authentication. Service providers can complete identity checks in areas with poor or no internet connectivity. The scanner reads the encrypted data and validates the digital signature without connecting to the Aadhaar server. This improves access in rural and remote regions.

Challenges

• Security Challenges: UIDAI manages the world’s largest biometric identity database, which makes security a constant challenge. The system stores sensitive demographic and biometric information for more than 1.34 billion residents. UIDAI uses encryption and data vaults, yet new cyber threats appear every year. Agencies that use Aadhaar-based verification often follow different security practices, which creates uneven protection across sectors. 

• Infrastructure Gaps: The Aadhaar system depends on a wide network of banks, state offices, telecom providers and welfare centres. Many rural and remote areas still use outdated devices and slow connectivity. UIDAI introduced offline QR verification to help such locations, but infrastructure issues remain. The authority must support capacity-building.

• Human Resource Limitations: Aadhaar authentication depends heavily on frontline staff. Many service points face inadequate training, especially in rural and high-volume centres. Operators sometimes handle documents carelessly or misunderstand verification procedures. Limited awareness increases the risk of manual errors during enrolment or updates. 

• Biometric Errors: Biometric accuracy remains a critical challenge in a country with diverse working conditions. People engaged in manual labour often face fingerprint wear, which affects authentication. Elderly citizens and young children experience higher biometric mismatch rates. UIDAI introduced facial authentication and improved iris systems, yet inconsistencies still occur.