What are the features an Aadhaar Card ? FAQ on Aadhaar

What is Aadhaar Number?

An Aadhaar number is a 12 digit unique Identification number for every Indian Citizen. It is a centralized and unique version of Identification number. This number is developed and used by an established Government Body “Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).” This 12 digit identity number is based on the biometrics data of an individual.

What are the features an Aadhaar Card carry?

• Aadhaar Card is for every individual including infant.
• It serves two types of ID proof, photo ID proof and address proof.
• As the card contains demographic and biometric information, it establishes the uniqueness of individual.
• Ten fingerprints, iris and a photograph of each individual kept in record as biometric information.
• Aadhaar card is for individual, you can not apply an Aadhaar card for a family.
• One can only have one Aadhaar card not multiple.
• The UIDAI information is not accessible to public and private agency.

How is Aadhaar card different from any other id card issued by Government?

• Aadhaar is essentially a paperless online accessible Id to an Indian resident.
• Verification of your identity is done online using the authentication devices. These devices connect to UIDAI’s Central Identity Repository and provide response only in the form of “yes” or “No”.

What are the uses of Aadhaar card?

There are various uses of Aadhaar card; here we are presenting few of them as below:

1. Easily Available:

The Aadhaar Card is the only document issued by the Government that is available anywhere anytime. You can apply for Aadhaar card online from anywhere. This is known as e-Aadhaar, this is downloadable version of Aadhaar Card.

     2. To avail the subsidies:

If you are eligible for any Government subsidy, Aadhaar card permits you to get the advantage. You don’t have to register or enroll for it separately, because the Government already has all the necessary data related to you. You just have to show your Aadhaar card, the concern official will verify your details and you can proceed to avail the subsidy.

For example: LPG Subsidy
Now a day’s Government transfers the LPG Subsidy with the help of Aadhaar-based-direct-benefit-transfer.

3. To Obtain the Passport:

The process of obtaining a passport is quite hefty and time consuming. But now you can get your Passport within the 10 days with the use of Aadhaar Card.

For this, you can apply online just by attaching your Aadhaar Card. Within the three days of submission you will get an appointment and processing and dispatching of the Passport will be completed within next seven days. Police verification will be done in later dates.

4. To Open the Bank Account:

If you wish to open an account with any financial institution and Bank you have to submit your personal documents for KYC and verification purpose, they consider Aadhaar Card as a valid photo ID proof and an address proof.

5. Pay out of Provident Fund:

If you have linked your Aadhaar with your Pension Account you can get your provident fund directly into your Account through the PF Organization.

What is the Aadhaar-based-direct-benefit-transfer?

It is a transparent and a direct way of paying subsidies under the various Government programmes like Jan-Dhan yojana, LPG Subsidy.
Let’s understand this with the example of LPG Subsidy:
The LPG distributor of your area links your Aadhaar card with your LPG connection, and at the time of opening your Bank account you already submitted your Aadhaar card as a KYC proof, hence there is a link between your bank account and your LPG connection, so whatever will be the subsidy you will get on your LPG connection from the Government it will directly reach to your Bank Account. No mediator will be there.

What the Aadhaar is mandatory for?

Aadhaar card is mandatory for various purposes like:

• Investment in PPF (Public Provident Fund).
• Investment in NSC (National Savings Certificate).
• Applying for PAN Card.
• To apply for Bank Account.
• At the time of filing ITR (Income Tax Return).

7 Must know Facts about Aadhaar Card:

1. The Aadhaar card can be applied for infant as well. In case of infant you must take care of one thing that update the biometric details through iris and fingerprint scan as your child reaches the age of 5. Make sure of doing this otherwise it will make the Bal Aadhaar invalid.
2. It does not have any age criteria so it is equally important for elders as well.
3. UIDAI has the provision for enrolment of those individuals with missing biometrics. Like if a person has got their finger prints illed or damage retina can also enroll for Aadhaar Card.
4. According to UIDAI Guidelines you can enroll for Aadhaar even if you do not have valid documents.
5. Aadhaar Card is available to residents only, therefore NRIs and OCIs are not eligible for Aadhaar Card.
6. UIDAI also provide the Facility of downloading the Aadhaar Card based on your Biometric details, anytime anywhere. Just make sure you delete the downloaded copy of your Aadhaar on any public computer.
7. Aadhaar card is very useful to the retired Government employee in order to get the monthly pension. For this the government employee should register the Aadhaar number with their respective department.