In a welcome move, on Thursday 20th April 2023, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has proposed to amend the Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance (Social Welfare, Innovation, Knowledge) Rules, 2020.
To this date, only government ministries, departments, and regulated entities like banks and telecom companies were allowed to perform Aadhaar authentication if they were fully compliant with UIDAI’s 2019 amendment to the Aadhaar Act, 2016 (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services).
With an intent to enhance the adoption of the Aadhaar authentication ecosystem, MeitY has released a draft amendment that will now allow even private entities to facilitate Aadhaar authentication to promote ease of living and enable better access to public services.
To get the government’s approval for Aadhaar authentication, private entities will have to submit a proposal justifying how their Aadhar authentication service can enhance good governance, prevent the leakage of public funds, and foster innovation.
For areas that fall under the purview of the Central Government, private entities will have to submit their proposals to the central ministry governing their operations. For subjects that are managed by State Governments, private entities have to submit their proposals to the concerned ministry / department of the respective State Government.
The government has urged the public to submit their feedback/comments to the proposed amendment before 5th May 2023 through the MyGov website.
As India’s leading Aadhaar-based Digital Identity and KYC Solutions provider, at ECS we are confident that this new development holds the potential to completely transform the current Aadhaar ecosystem and usher in a new chapter in Digital India’s growth story.
Please feel free to get in touch with our colleague Amit Joshi on 9820875525 / 7208155528 or email him at amit@eastcs.com if you need any help in navigating the complex and ever-evolving Aadhaar authentication landscape in India.
Image credit: https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/senior-woman-using-her-phone-park_15440989.htm#query=rawpixel%20authentication&position=19&from_view=search&track=aishttps://www.freepik.com/free-photo/senior-woman-using-her-phone-park_15440989.htm#query=rawpixel%20authentication&position=19&from_view=search&track=ais