The government has unveiled a new Aadhaar mobile application that allows citizens to prove their identity digitally using Face ID and QR code scanning. The new system means people will no longer need to carry a physical Aadhaar card or share photocopies for verification at hotels, airports, banks, or other public and private services.
Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw introduced the beta version of the app during the Aadhaar Samvaad conference held in New Delhi. He compared the new app’s ease of use to UPI payments, calling it a major step forward for India’s digital identity ecosystem.
New Aadhaar App Works With Face ID
The app opens with a clean, easy-to-use design. When a business or government office needs to verify someone’s identity, it displays a QR code. The Aadhaar holder then scans the QR code using the app, selects what personal information to share, and completes the process with a quick facial scan using their phone’s camera.
This system ensures that there is no need to hand over any physical documents or printouts. UIDAI has assured that the data only moves with the user’s permission, which increases privacy and gives citizens more control over their Aadhaar information.
The facial recognition feature is processed entirely within the Aadhaar system, adding another secure layer to existing biometric tools like fingerprints and OTPs. This makes digital identity verification more secure and user-friendly.
Limited Release For Testing Phase
Currently, the new Aadhaar app is in its beta testing stage. It is only available to attendees of the Aadhaar Samvaad conference and a selected group of early users. A wider public launch is expected soon, after the UIDAI gathers feedback and makes necessary improvements.
Once fully launched, the app could become a common tool for everyday use, making digital check-ins at hotels, easier KYC processes at banks, and faster identity checks at airports part of daily life for Indian citizens.
Building On Existing Aadhaar Tools
India already has a separate app called AadhaarFaceRD, which allows facial authentication but can only be used by service providers during KYC. The new Aadhaar app brings this power directly to users, allowing them to initiate the identity verification process themselves and share only the necessary information.
The UIDAI hopes that this new digital tool will reduce paperwork, prevent identity fraud, and make public services more accessible. While the exact release date is still unknown, the full rollout is expected soon after the beta testing phase ends.
