# India Expands Aadhaar Reach, Critics Flag Privacy Risks
India's Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is aggressively expanding Aadhaar services nationwide, planning to increase full-fledged enrolment and update centres from 88 to 473 by September 2026, while rolling out privacy-focused app updates amid growing concerns over data security and surveillance.[1][2]
UIDAI's Ambitious Expansion of Aadhaar Centres
The UIDAI, under CEO Bhuvnesh Kumar, announced plans to boost Aadhaar enrolment centres significantly, targeting nearly every district with accessible Aadhaar Seva Kendras. Currently, only 88 full-fledged centres operate across India, but this will surge to 473 by September 2026, making services like enrolments, biometric updates, and address changes far more convenient, especially for rural populations.[1] This expansion aligns with UIDAI's ongoing issuance of 2.25 crore new Aadhaar cards annually and handling 9 crore daily authentications, with 143 crore cards already covering 99.99% of the population.[2] Users can soon locate these centres via Google Maps, streamlining access to essential identity services.[1]
New Aadhaar App Enhances Privacy and User Control
In a bid to address privacy risks, the government launched an updated mAadhaar app featuring a one-click biometric lock, support for up to five family members' profiles, and selective data sharing without revealing full Aadhaar numbers.[2][3] Key additions include face verification for proof of presence, online mobile number and address updates, and an Offline Verification Seeking Entity (OVSE) policy allowing QR code scans for credential sharing without connecting to UIDAI's central database—partnering with entities like Google, Samsung, and Gujarat Police for uses in hotels, loans, and events.[2] The app promotes data minimisation per the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, enabling encrypted sharing of verifiable credentials while users retain full control over disclosed information.[2][3] Additional features cover PVC card ordering for Rs 50, update history reviews, and biometric lock/unlock options.[3]
Documents Required for Seamless Aadhaar Updates
To facilitate updates amid this expansion, UIDAI accepts a wide range of Proof of Identity (POI) and Proof of Address (POA) documents, including passports, PAN cards, voter IDs, driving licences, bank statements, electricity bills (not older than 3 months), and rent agreements.[4] After submission at a centre, users receive an acknowledgement slip with a Update Request Number (URN) for online tracking, ensuring transparency in the process.[4] This system supports updates for name, address, date of birth, gender, and more, with biometric authentication via OTP for family profile additions in the app.[3][4]
Critics Highlight Persistent Privacy and Surveillance Concerns
Despite UIDAI's privacy enhancements—like deactivating over 2.5 crore Aadhaar numbers of deceased persons to curb fraud and high authentication volumes (231 crore in November 2025)—critics argue the expansion amplifies privacy risks.[3] Advocacy groups flag potential mass surveillance through daily 9 crore authentications and centralised data storage, questioning if app features like selective sharing fully mitigate misuse under the DPDP Act.[2] While UIDAI emphasises user-centric verification and offline XML for non-storing entities, ongoing debates centre on balancing Aadhaar's reach with robust safeguards against breaches and identity theft.[2][3]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the timeline for UIDAI's Aadhaar centre expansion?
UIDAI plans to increase full-fledged enrolment and update centres from 88 to 473 across India by September 2026, enhancing access nationwide.[1]
How does the new mAadhaar app improve privacy?
The updated app offers a one-click biometric lock, selective data sharing, encrypted QR code verification via OVSE, and support for up to five family profiles with OTP authentication, aligning with the DPDP Act.[2][3]
What documents are needed for Aadhaar updates?
Valid POI/POA includes passports, PAN cards, voter IDs, driving licences, bank statements, utility bills (under 3 months old), and rent agreements; submit at centres for a URN-tracked acknowledgement slip.[4]
How many Aadhaar cards have been issued in India?
UIDAI has issued 143 crore Aadhaar cards, covering 99.99% of the population, with 2.25 crore new cards added yearly and 9 crore daily authentications.[2]
What is the OVSE policy in the Aadhaar ecosystem?
OVSE allows service providers to generate QR codes for offline verification without storing Aadhaar numbers or connecting to UIDAI's database, used by partners like Google and L&T.[2]
Has UIDAI taken steps against Aadhaar fraud?
Yes, UIDAI deactivated over 2.5 crore Aadhaar numbers of deceased persons and promotes biometric locks and data minimisation to prevent identity fraud.[3]
🔄 Updated: 2/10/2026, 3:10:27 AM
**NEWS UPDATE: India Expands Aadhaar Reach, Critics Flag Privacy Risks – Global Impact and International Response**
India's Aadhaar, now at 1.38 billion enrollments covering 99% of adults and handling 100 billion annual authentications, is inspiring global digital ID adoption, with architect Nandan Nilekani stating in a January 2026 MIT interview that its model offers "lessons for Africa and Southeast Asia" via biometric IDs for inclusion.[1] Ahead of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi (February 16-20), the UAE announced joint AI initiatives leveraging Aadhaar's infrastructure, including a supercomputing cluster for research, while the World Economic Forum praises its role in boosting financial inclusion from
🔄 Updated: 2/10/2026, 3:20:30 AM
**NEWS UPDATE: India Expands Aadhaar Reach, Critics Flag Privacy Risks**
UIDAI's expansion from 88 to **473 full-fledged Aadhaar enrolment and update centres** by September 2026 intensifies competition in digital identity services, as the new Aadhaar app surges to **nearly 9 million combined monthly installs** in December 2025 from 2 million in October, overtaking the older mAadhaar app.[1][6] This shift bolsters Aadhaar's dominance amid **231 crore monthly authentication transactions** in November 2025—up 8.47% YoY—pressuring private fintechs and banks reliant on e-KYC, which hit 471.9 million that month.
🔄 Updated: 2/10/2026, 3:30:32 AM
**NEWS UPDATE: India Expands Aadhaar Reach, Critics Flag Privacy Risks**
India's UIDAI has launched an updated Aadhaar app enabling offline verification via QR codes from 17 partners like Google and Samsung, sharing **digitally signed credentials** without central database queries or storing full Aadhaar numbers, aligning with the DPDP Act's data minimisation principles—while supporting up to **9 crore daily authentications** across **143 crore issued cards**.[1][2][5]
The app's selective disclosure—e.g., proving age without revealing birth dates—shifts Aadhaar into everyday tools like hotel check-ins and gig worker verification, but critics warn this ubiquity, amid eased restrictions for private firms, height
🔄 Updated: 2/10/2026, 3:40:30 AM
UIDAI announced plans to expand full-fledged Aadhaar enrolment and update centres from 88 to **473 by September 2026**, aiming to bring services closer to millions, especially in rural areas, as stated by CEO Bhuvnesh Kumar[1][2]. Alongside this, a new Aadhaar app launched this week introduces a one-click biometric lock, offline QR-based verification with 17 partners like Google and Gujarat Police, and support for up to five family profiles, while enabling 9 crore daily authentications amid **143 crore total cards issued** covering 99.99% of adults[2][3]. Critics like Osaiyamman Chima warn of privacy risks, questioning the rollout's timing before the Data Protectio
🔄 Updated: 2/10/2026, 3:50:32 AM
India's government has expanded its Aadhaar digital identity system with a new app launched in late January 2026, enabling offline verification and allowing organizations to verify credentials without querying the central database, according to regulatory changes announced by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI)[2]. Minister of State Jitin Prasada described Aadhaar as a "digital governance showpiece" and emphasized the app's focus on data minimization and selective information sharing, with features including management of up to five profiles per device and the ability to update registered mobile numbers directly through the app[3][4]. However, privacy advocates have raised concerns about the timing of the rollout, with critics arguing the government
🔄 Updated: 2/10/2026, 4:00:32 AM
India's government has launched an overhauled **Aadhaar app** enabling offline identity verification without querying the central database, allowing 17 newly onboarded partners—including Google, Samsung, and Gujarat Police—to verify credentials through QR codes for hotel check-ins, employee attendance, and loan applications[1][3]. The app introduces **selective credential sharing**, permitting users to disclose limited information (such as age verification without revealing full dates of birth) and encrypting Aadhaar numbers so verifiers cannot store them, aligning with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act[1][5]. However, critics warn the shift moves Aadhaar "from a largely backend verification tool into
🔄 Updated: 2/10/2026, 4:10:30 AM
**India Expands Aadhaar Reach, Critics Flag Privacy Risks**
UIDAI plans to expand full-fledged Aadhaar enrolment and update centres from 88 to **473 by September 2026**, as announced by CEO Bhuvnesh Kumar, while unveiling a new app with **one-click biometric lock**, offline QR verification for 17 partners like Google and Samsung, and support for up to **5 family profiles**—enabling uses in policing, hotels, and wallets amid **143 crore cards issued** covering 99.99% of the population.[1][2][3]
Critics like Osaiyamman Chima warn the rollout prioritizes expansion over privacy, questioning its timing before the Data Protection Board'
🔄 Updated: 2/10/2026, 4:20:32 AM
India's Unique Identification Authority (UIDAI) is expanding its Aadhaar infrastructure to 473 enrolment and update centres by September 2026—up from 88 currently—as the system handles roughly 2.5 billion authentication transactions monthly[4]. Privacy advocates are raising alarms about the expansion's timing, with critics arguing that the government should have awaited India's Data Protection Board establishment before rolling out the new Aadhaar app launched last month, with one expert stating: "The fact that this has gone ahead at this point of time seems to indicate a preference to continue the expansion of the use of Aadhaar, even if it is unclear in terms of
🔄 Updated: 2/10/2026, 4:30:32 AM
India's expanded Aadhaar system, now integrated into mobile wallets like Google Wallet and handling **2.5 billion monthly authentication transactions** for its **1.4 billion users**, is drawing global scrutiny as a blueprint for digital identity amid privacy concerns[2][3]. At the upcoming **India-AI Impact Summit 2026**—the first major AI event in the Global South, expecting **100+ countries, 15-20 Heads of Government, and 50+ ministers**—nations like the UAE are partnering on AI infrastructure such as supercomputing clusters, while the World Economic Forum praises Aadhaar's role in boosting financial inclusion from **53% to 80%** and calls for global co-creation of open AI standards[
🔄 Updated: 2/10/2026, 4:40:30 AM
**NEWS UPDATE: India Expands Aadhaar Reach, Critics Flag Privacy Risks**
UIDAI plans to expand full-fledged Aadhaar enrolment and update centres from 88 to **473 by September 2026**, as announced by CEO Bhuvnesh Kumar, amid surging usage with **231 crore authentication transactions in November 2025**—an **8.5% YoY growth**—and over **1.4 billion identity numbers issued**.[1][4][5] Industry experts hail the scale, with face authentications hitting **282.9 million** that month (more than double YoY) and e-KYC up **24%**, powering digital economy services.[6] However, privacy advocate Raman Chim
🔄 Updated: 2/10/2026, 4:50:31 AM
India's expanded Aadhaar system, now serving over **1.4 billion people** with **2.5 billion monthly authentications**, is drawing global attention as a model for digital identity ahead of the **India AI Impact Summit 2026** in New Delhi (February 16-20), where over 100 countries will convene to explore its integration with AI and open standards.[1][2][4] The UAE has responded with joint initiatives for AI supercomputing clusters and data centers in India, while Google announced a **$15 billion AI hub** in Visakhapatnam, signaling tech giants' embrace of Aadhaar's scale for global innovation.[4][7] Critics' privacy warnings, however, echo internationally, as the UN
🔄 Updated: 2/10/2026, 5:00:33 AM
**NEW UPDATE: India Expands Aadhaar Reach Amid Privacy Backlash – Government Bolsters Security Defenses**
Minister of State Jitin Prasada dedicated the new Aadhaar App on January 28, 2026, emphasizing its "privacy-first" design with data minimisation, selective info sharing, and offline verification to prevent storage of Aadhaar numbers by verifiers, aligning with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act[3]. MeitY Secretary S Krishan highlighted features like QR code scanning for hotel check-ins, face verification, and management of up to five family profiles per device to enhance security without central database queries[3]. The Centre affirmed no data breaches in UIDAI's database for its 134 crore holders, backed by multi
🔄 Updated: 2/10/2026, 5:10:30 AM
**NEWS UPDATE: India Expands Aadhaar Reach, Critics Flag Privacy Risks – Global Impact and Response**
India's expanded Aadhaar system, now with over **1.4 billion identities** and **2.5 billion monthly authentications**, is positioning the nation as a model for digital public infrastructure (DPI) at the **India–AI Impact Summit 2026**, drawing **100+ countries, 15–20 Heads of Government, and 40+ CEOs** to adopt its scalable governance solutions for the Global South.[1][3][4][5] Tech giants like Google ($15 billion AI hub) and AWS are collaborating on responsible AI integration, while fintech expansions via Aadhaar-enabled UPI support cross-border payments in
🔄 Updated: 2/10/2026, 5:20:30 AM
**NEWS UPDATE: India Expands Aadhaar Reach, Critics Flag Privacy Risks**
India's Aadhaar, now serving over **1.4 billion people** with **2.5 billion monthly authentications**, is expanding globally via integrations with **Google Wallet** and potential **Apple Wallet** support, positioning it as a model for population-scale digital ID amid preparations for the **India AI Impact Summit 2026** in New Delhi (Feb 16-20), expected to draw over **100 countries**.[1][2][3] The UAE has responded with joint AI initiatives, including a supercomputing cluster in India to leverage Aadhaar-enabled DPI for secure data scaling, as stated in bilateral announcements: "India’s deep reservoir of human
🔄 Updated: 2/10/2026, 5:30:30 AM
**NEWS UPDATE: India Expands Aadhaar Reach, Critics Flag Privacy Risks**
UIDAI plans to expand full-fledged Aadhaar enrolment and update centres from 88 to **473 by September 2026**, as announced by CEO Bhuvnesh Kumar, while launching an updated Aadhaar app with **one-click biometric locks** and offline QR code verification onboarded by **17 partners** including Google and Samsung for uses like hotel check-ins and policing.[1][2][4] The agency has also completed **over 1 crore mandatory biometric updates** for school children across **83,000 schools** and extended free online Proof of Identity/Address updates to **June 14, 2026**.[3][5