NEW DELHI — In a
bid to help improve transparency and inclusivity in the decision-making
process, the Centre on Friday expanded Aadhaar authentication to government and
private entities for providing various services in the public interest boosting
innovation, knowledge and public service enhancement.
The IT Ministry notified the Aadhaar Authentication for Good
Governance (Social Welfare, Innovation, Knowledge) Amendment Rules, 2025 under
the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and
Services) Act, 2016.
According to the ministry, the amendment seeks to enhance
the scope and utility of Aadhaar authentication to further promote good
governance, social welfare, innovation, and knowledge dissemination allowing
the usage of Aadhaar for improving service delivery and, thereby, enhancing
ease of living for residents and enabling better access to various services for
them.
The amendment would help people seamlessly avail the
services of e-commerce, travel, tourism, hospitality and health sector etc.
being provided by entities other than government entities also.
The amendment enables both government and non-government
entities to avail Aadhaar authentication service for providing various services
in the public interest for related specific purposes like enablement of
innovation, spread of knowledge, promoting ease of living of residents and
enabling better access to services for them.
“This will help both the service providers as well as the
service seekers to have trusted transactions,” according to the MeitY.
Any entity seeking Aadhaar authentication will be required
to apply with the details of intended requirements to the concerned ministry or
department of the Central or the State government in a format being made
available on a portal for this purpose.
“The applications will be examined by UIDAI and MeitY will
issue the approval based on the recommendation of UIDAI. The concerned ministry
or department of the Central or State Government will notify the entity for
Aadhaar usage after receiving confirmation from MeitY,” the ministry informed.
