News for 'Unique Identity Authority of India'

Unique identity project renamed 'Aadhaar'

Unique identity project renamed 'Aadhaar'

Rediff.com26 Apr 2010

The Government's ambitious unique identity project aiming to give a 16-digit number to all citizens of the country was renamed 'AADHAAR' and its new logo unveiled.

Govt okays funds for unique identity numbers

Govt okays funds for unique identity numbers

Rediff.com22 Jul 2010

The Cabinet Committee on Unique Identification Authority of India, at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, approved the commencement of phase-II of the scheme at an estimated cost of Rs 3,023.01 crore (Rs 30.23 billion).

Should Aadhaar use be restricted to ID proof, SC asks govt

Should Aadhaar use be restricted to ID proof, SC asks govt

Rediff.com7 days ago

The Supreme Court has sought responses from the Centre and States regarding a plea alleging the misuse of Aadhaar cards as proof of citizenship, domicile, and residential address. The petition argues that despite legal provisions, Aadhaar is being used for purposes beyond identity verification, potentially aiding illegal immigrants, and calls for a comprehensive overhaul of electoral verification processes.

Can You Be Rejected For A Job Because You're LGBTQIA+?

Can You Be Rejected For A Job Because You're LGBTQIA+?

Rediff.com4 days ago

'A recruiter has no legitimate basis to ask whether you are married, in a same-sex relationship or planning to transition,' says Sonam Chandwani, managing partner at KS Legal & Associates.

Aadhaar Offline Verification: 100 Entities Onboarded By UIDAI

Aadhaar Offline Verification: 100 Entities Onboarded By UIDAI

Rediff.com20 Apr 2026

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has announced that nearly 100 entities have been onboarded as offline verification seeking entities (OVSEs), marking a significant step in enabling secure, consent-based, and paperless verification through the Aadhaar offline mechanism.

Puri Jagannath Temple Secures Trademark Protection

Puri Jagannath Temple Secures Trademark Protection

Rediff.com12 Jun 2026

This marks a significant step towards legally safeguarding the cultural and spiritual identity of one of Hinduism's most revered pilgrimage centres.

Bhagwat's Haldighati Claim Diminishes History

Bhagwat's Haldighati Claim Diminishes History

Rediff.com3 hours ago

Maharana Pratap became a hero not because he won a battle, but because he continued fighting after he lost one, asserts Harishchandra.

Assam not to issue Aadhaar cards to adults anymore

Assam not to issue Aadhaar cards to adults anymore

Rediff.com13 Jun 2026

The Assam cabinet has decided to restrict the issuance of Aadhaar cards to individuals over 18 years of age, a move aimed at preventing illegal immigrants from acquiring the document. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that exceptions would require district commissioner proposals and state government approval, with a complete ban for all communities over 18 set for April 1, 2027.

Aadhaar not proof of citizenship, says SC in SIR ruling

Aadhaar not proof of citizenship, says SC in SIR ruling

Rediff.com27 May 2026

The Supreme Court of India has upheld the Election Commission's documentation framework for the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, affirming the commission's authority and stating that Aadhaar is not proof of citizenship.

Inside GSB Cuisine Queen Komal Prabhu's Kitchen

Inside GSB Cuisine Queen Komal Prabhu's Kitchen

Rediff.com25 May 2026

Discover the inspiring journey of Komal Prabhu, called the Queen of GSB Cuisine, that saw her switch professions -- a Bharata Natyam dancer became a celebrated chef devoted to preserving traditional Gaud Saraswat Brahmin food traditions.

Over 2.5 cr Aadhaar numbers have been deactivated. Here's why

Over 2.5 cr Aadhaar numbers have been deactivated. Here's why

Rediff.com4 Feb 2026

The Unique Identification Authority of India has deactivated Aadhaar numbers of over 2.5 crore deceased persons to prevent misuse of the identity document, Parliament was informed on Wednesday.

West Bengal Polls: Mamata Banerjee Can't Underestimate BJP

West Bengal Polls: Mamata Banerjee Can't Underestimate BJP

Rediff.com18 Apr 2026

This election is different. It is no longer simply about governance or welfare. It is about identity, fear, and who belongs. The BJP has successfully shifted the terms of the debate from what the government has delivered to who the real Bengali is and who is an outsider, points out Ramesh Menon.

Lakshmi, Durga And The Quiet Irony of Women's Day

Lakshmi, Durga And The Quiet Irony of Women's Day

Rediff.com9 Mar 2026

Indian civilisation has long imagined wealth and power as feminine forces. And yet, when these qualities appear in real women, admiration sometimes gives way to discomfort, observes Vatsal Ramaiya.

Former Doordarshan newsreader Sarla Maheshwari dies at 71

Former Doordarshan newsreader Sarla Maheshwari dies at 71

Rediff.com12 Feb 2026

Maheshwari was the familiar face of TV news from 1976 right up till 2005 along with Salma Sultan, Minu Talwar, Shammi Narang, Geetanjali Aiyer, Neeti Ravindran and others.

The Poet Who Stood With Deprived And Despairing

The Poet Who Stood With Deprived And Despairing

Rediff.com30 Dec 2025

'A truly original Hindi writer whose writing no other author can match.'

UGC 2026: 'No One Is Being Criminalised'

UGC 2026: 'No One Is Being Criminalised'

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

'Once the actual scope is understood, it becomes evident that the framework is about internal redress and course correction, and in no way criminalisation.'

Rs 100 cr to solve identity crisis

Rs 100 cr to solve identity crisis

Rediff.com17 Feb 2009

The government has earmarked Rs 100 crore (Rs 1 billion) to establish 'a comprehensive system of unique identity for the resident population of the country'. The project will focus on border areas with illegal immigration in mind. It will also facilitate speedy and efficient transactions between individuals and service providers.

How UPI, AePS, Wallets Are Changing India

How UPI, AePS, Wallets Are Changing India

Rediff.com24 Jul 2025

UPI has catapulted India into the forefront on the global digital payments landscape. Working hand in hand, the AePS payments system is making life easy for rural folks, notes Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

Merely having Aadhaar, voter ID doesn't make one Indian citizen: HC

Merely having Aadhaar, voter ID doesn't make one Indian citizen: HC

Rediff.com12 Aug 2025

The Bombay High Court ruled that possessing documents like Aadhaar, PAN, or voter ID does not automatically grant Indian citizenship, emphasizing the importance of the Citizenship Act of 1955.

Sitharaman asks fintechs to strengthen risk management to check AI misuse

Sitharaman asks fintechs to strengthen risk management to check AI misuse

Rediff.com8 Oct 2025

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday asked fintech firms to focus on risk management at a time when criminals are using AI to mimic voices, clone identities and create lifelike videos to manipulate people.

Aadhaar, voter ID considered only for identification: EC justifies Bihar SIR

Aadhaar, voter ID considered only for identification: EC justifies Bihar SIR

Rediff.com22 Jul 2025

The Election Commission of India defends its Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar, stating it enhances election purity by removing ineligible voters. The commission addresses concerns about Aadhaar usage, emphasizing its limited role in identity verification during the SIR-2025 exercise.

Trump sets new rules for US elections, cites India's example

Trump sets new rules for US elections, cites India's example

Rediff.com26 Mar 2025

The order also highlights further disparities, citing examples of Denmark and Sweden restricting mail-in voting to those unable to vote in person and rejecting late-arriving ballots regardless of postmark, while many US states have embraced widespread mail-in voting, with some accepting ballots without postmarks or those arriving well after Election Day.

Duplicate voter I-cards issue to be addressed in 3 months: EC

Duplicate voter I-cards issue to be addressed in 3 months: EC

Rediff.com7 Mar 2025

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of a "scam" after the poll panel admitted to the existence of duplicate voter ID numbers. The ECI has said it will address the issue in the next three months. TMC leader Saket Gokhale alleged that the ECI is trying to "protect" someone and demanded answers about the extent of the duplication and why it took 25 years to address the problem.

'Indian elections will never be the same again'

'Indian elections will never be the same again'

Rediff.com2 Apr 2014

'No matter the deep polarisation as evidenced in different media, there is a deeply ingrained culture of tolerance and openness. This is exactly the idea of India we are fighting for in this election.' Rohini Nilekani, whose husband Nandan Nilekani -- co-founder, Infosys, and former Chairman, Unique Identity Authority of India -- is contesting the Lok Sabha election from the Bangalore South constituency on a Congress Party ticket, on her experiences on the campaign trail.

Why So Much Hatred For English?

Why So Much Hatred For English?

Rediff.com21 Jul 2025

There is no guarantee that if we speak in only Indian languages, all our faults will be washed away and India will shine. Why then do they bully and belittle the English-speaking? asks Shyam G Menon.

RBI set to launch UPI-like unified lending platform

RBI set to launch UPI-like unified lending platform

Rediff.com27 Aug 2024

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will launch the Unified Lending Interface (ULI) nationwide in due course, aiming to transform India's lending sector, similar to how the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) revolutionised the payments ecosystem, Governor Shaktikanta Das said on Monday.

1 mn a day expected to enroll for UID from Oct

1 mn a day expected to enroll for UID from Oct

Rediff.com23 Jun 2011

Nandan Nilekani said plans are on track to issue Aadhaar numbers to 600 million (60 crore) people in three to three-and-half years.

Vistara-Air India merger: How these two distinct brands will blend

Vistara-Air India merger: How these two distinct brands will blend

Rediff.com4 Nov 2024

In about a fortnight, Vistara - known for its premium service - will take off on its final flight before merging into the legacy of Air India. Set for November 12, the merger has sparked discussions on how these two distinct brands will blend.

Aadhaar not valid document to determine age, rules SC, overturns HC order

Aadhaar not valid document to determine age, rules SC, overturns HC order

Rediff.com24 Oct 2024

A bench comprising Justices Sanjay Karol and Ujjal Bhuyan, therefore, said the age of the deceased had to be determined from the date of birth mentioned in the school leaving certificate under Section 94 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.

The many shortcomings of Aadhaar

The many shortcomings of Aadhaar

Rediff.com14 Apr 2022

Aadhaar is falling behind on technology, missing out on confidentiality and has gaps in its data archiving policy and preserving confidentiality in delivery of the cards to people, says a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG). The performance report, 'Functioning Of Unique Identification Authority Of India', tabled in Parliament on the last day of the budget session notes, assigning a unique identity to all resident Indians was supposed to be the key feature of Aadhaar. But "There were instances of issue of Aadhaar with the same biometric data to different residents indicating flaws in the de-duplication process and issue of Aadhaar on faulty biometrics and documents". It says close to half a million such records had to be cancelled by the Unique Identification Authority of India up to 2016.

UIDAI unveils 3 online identity authentication services

UIDAI unveils 3 online identity authentication services

Rediff.com24 May 2013

Unique Identification Authority of India on Friday unveiled three new Aadhaar-enabled services which would help residents to authenticate their identity anytime and anywhere through a digital platform.

HC cautions Jharkhand govt on illegal immigration from Bangladesh

HC cautions Jharkhand govt on illegal immigration from Bangladesh

Rediff.com9 Aug 2024

The court observed that illegal immigration will be on the rise in view of the present unstable situation in Bangladesh.

'Partition Should Never Have Happened'

'Partition Should Never Have Happened'

Rediff.com1 Apr 2025

'We wouldn't have had to face all this had our national leaders taken care to select a place for Sindhis and sent us there, instead of sending us all over to settle in places where the locals didn't want us.' 'They could have partitioned Sindh and given us a Sindhi state from its two Hindu-majority districts.' 'Wasn't that the logic of Partition?'

Aadhaar may be sufficient to open bank account

Aadhaar may be sufficient to open bank account

Rediff.com7 Sep 2010

The Unique Identification Authority of India, the apex agency managing the UID project, which aims to give every resident of the country a unique identity, has initiated the process to make this happen, according to chairman Nandan Nilekani.

Ernst & Young aboard UID project

Ernst & Young aboard UID project

Rediff.com3 Mar 2010

Professional services firm Ernst & Young has bagged the contract from the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to become a consulting partner for the project.

Give me time, I don't even have mail id: Nilekani

Give me time, I don't even have mail id: Nilekani

Rediff.com17 Jul 2009

Nilekani, who has been appointed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to head the National Authority for Unique Identity, has been in the news for providing a unique identification number to all Indians.

Nilekani to have Rs 120 crore for ID card project

Nilekani to have Rs 120 crore for ID card project

Rediff.com6 Jul 2009

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) set up recently by the government, will establish an online data base with identity and biometric details of Indian residence and provide enrolment and verification services across the country.

Several unauthorised entities stopped from giving PAN card services

Several unauthorised entities stopped from giving PAN card services

Rediff.com18 Jan 2024

The Bombay high court has passed an ex-parte interim order restraining several entities from operating websites etc claiming to provide PAN card services on behalf of the government-owned UTI Infrastructure Technology and Services Limited (UTIITSL) and noted such an act poses a "national level threat". A single bench of Justice Bharati Dangre, in its order of January 12, said the Union government has made it mandatory for PAN card holders to link the same to their Aadhar Card, which is an acceptable proof of identification. Therefore, any potential misuse of the licence/ authorization to issue PAN cards would be highly detrimental not only to the interest of the company but also to national interest, the HC said.

UID: Govt okays iris scan, fingerprinting

UID: Govt okays iris scan, fingerprinting

Rediff.com18 May 2010

The government on Tuesday gave in-principle approval for adoption of standardised approach for collection of demographic and biometric attributes, including iris scan, of residents by various bodies for the UID project.

Nilekani proposes online food accounts

Nilekani proposes online food accounts

Rediff.com14 Jul 2010

The conference was to launch a pilot scheme on smart card-based delivery of essential commodities under the targeted PDS in Haryana and Chandigarh.