• Source:JND
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A major upgrade is coming to Aadhaar, and it could mean the end of photocopying your ID forever. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is gearing up to roll out a nationwide, QR code-enabled e-Aadhaar system by the end of 2025. The goal? To let people verify their identity using just a digital scan—no need to carry physical copies or submit paper documents.

This revamped Aadhaar will allow individuals to authenticate themselves quickly and securely using QR codes, making the process more seamless across public and private services.

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UIDAI CEO Bhuvnesh Kumar confirmed that the groundwork is already underway. Of the 1 lakh Aadhaar authentication machines currently in operation, about 2,000 have already been upgraded to support QR-based verification.

Aadhaar App Getting a Major Makeover

Alongside the digital upgrade, UIDAI is also preparing to launch a redesigned Aadhaar mobile app. This app will enable users to make most of their profile updates—including name, address, and date of birth—directly from their phones. Once live, it could significantly cut down visits to enrolment centres, which are currently required even for basic updates.

Starting in November 2025, users will only need to visit a physical centre for biometric updates such as fingerprint or iris scans. Everything else, from correcting your name to updating your address, will be handled digitally—making the Aadhaar system far more paperless and user-friendly.

Data from Government Records to Streamline Verification

Another big change coming is UIDAI’s plan to pull user data directly from verified government databases. That includes birth certificates, PAN cards, passports, driver’s licenses, ration cards under the Public Distribution System (PDS), and even MNREGA work records. Electricity bill records may also be tapped to help with address verification.

This move is aimed at reducing errors and fraud by relying on already authenticated data, cutting out the need for repeated document submissions.

Safer, Faster, and More Convenient

With these updates, UIDAI hopes to make Aadhaar not only more secure but also easier to use for India's 1.3 billion citizens. The combination of QR-based verification and mobile-enabled updates is expected to curb identity fraud and streamline access to government services across the board.

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In short, your Aadhaar is going fully digital—and by late 2025, keeping track of paper copies might just become a thing of the past.