UIDAI launches online identity authentication services

NEW DELHI, INDIA: The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) Friday launched three Aadhaar-Enabled services to help citizens authenticate their identity online and announced opening of 300 more permanent enrolment centres.

The services that were launched are eKYC (eKnow Your Customer) service, authentication service using Iris, and authentication service using one time pin (OTP).

"This is a transformational initiative and I am sure the Aam Aadmi will start reaping the benefits of the Aadhaar project in the near future," Montek Singh Ahluwalia, deputy chairman of the Planning Commission, who was present on the occasion, said.

The eKYC and other authentication services will help residents avail benefits of Aadhaar-linked services and give both public and private entities an economical, secure and flexible mode of verifying user identity.

Aadhaar iris authentication is a process wherein Aadhaar number, along with the resident's Iris Image is submitted to UIDAI's Central Identities Data Repository (CIDR) for verification. The service can be availed of by all those who have an Aadhaar number including the old, blind and those who may have undergone cataract surgery.

The OTP service enables Aadhaar-based authentication of all residents who registered a mobile telephone at the time of enrolment or subsequent updation.

The authority also announced that around 300 permanent enrolment centres, called Aadhar Kendras, would be established. There is also a plan to increase the number of Aadhaar Kendras to 1,000 by September 2013.

These centres will enable enrolment of residents who have missed out during the camps organised by registrars, UIDAI chairman Nandan Nilekani said.