Aadhar Card Update: UIDAI New Rules Take Aadhaar Verification Digital, A Big Privacy Win

Aadhaar card digital verification: For years, handing over photocopies of Aadhaar has been an uncomfortable but unavoidable routine. Hotels, airports, event venues, offices — everyone asked for a copy. And every time, it meant exposing far more personal information than was actually needed. Name, address, Aadhaar number — all sitting on a piece of paper with no control over how it’s stored or misused. That is finally set to change.

UIDAI, under government direction, plans to roll out digital Aadhaar verification using QR codes and an updated Aadhaar app, in a move designed to reduce data exposure and prevent misuse at its source.

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What Changes at Hotels, Airports, and Event Venues

Under this system, physical photocopies will no longer be required for routine identity verification purposes; rather, organisations like hotels, event organisers, airports and government counters must register with UIDAI in order to enable digital Aadhaar verification.

Once registered, verification becomes simple. Staff can scan a QR code or verify identity through the Aadhaar app. Crucially, they won’t be allowed to collect, store, or retain Aadhaar copies. This directly addresses one of the biggest security gaps in the current process — uncontrolled physical records.

This change is also in line with the Aadhaar Act, which discourages unnecessary collection and storage of Aadhaar data.

How UIDAI Plans to Curb Aadhaar Misuse

UIDAI CEO Bhuvnesh Kumar has clarified that the core focus is data minimisation. The new system confirms identity without revealing sensitive personal details. Verifiers get only what they need — nothing more.

No photocopies. No saving images. No databases filled with Aadhaar details. The QR-based and app-based verification simply returns a “yes” or limited identity confirmation, sharply reducing the risk of leaks or misuse.

A More Reliable Aadhaar App

The updated Aadhaar app is designed to work even in low-connectivity situations. It can function despite unstable internet or outages like the recent Cloudflare disruption. Users can also update address proofs and add family members who don’t have smartphones, making the system more inclusive and practical.

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What This Means for You

Once it is fully implemented, Aadhaar ID verification becomes much faster, safer, and less intrusive compared to prior methods of identity authentication.

Simply put, this move brings Aadhaar users more privacy, stronger security and real peace of mind – something they have long longed for