UIDAI — Unique Identification Authority: Complete 101 Guide
Last updated: March 2026
What is UIDAI?
UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India) is the statutory authority under MeitY that issues Aadhaar - the 12-digit unique identity number to residents of India.
Key Facts
- Established: 2009 (became statutory in 2016)
- Headquarters: New Delhi
- Vision: To enable inclusive, broad-based development
- Legal Framework: Aadhaar Act 2016
Functions of UIDAI
| Function | Description |
|---|---|
| Enrolment | Register new Aadhaar holders |
| Authentication | Verify Aadhaar identities |
| Policy | Issue regulations, standards |
| Grievance | Handle complaints, appeals |
UIDAI Structure
Organizational Hierarchy
- Chairperson: Chief executive
- Two Whole-time Members: Technical, Finance
- Two Part-time Members: From various sectors
- CEO: Day-to-day operations
Regional Offices
- 6 Regional Offices
- 2 Deputy Directors General
- Multiple Facilitation Centres
Aadhaar Services
Enrolment
- Permanent Enrolment Centres (PEC)
- Bank-based enrolment
- Post Office enrolment
- Mobile enrolment vans
Authentication Types
| Type | Method | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Biometric | Fingerprint/Iris | Banking, Govt schemes |
| OTP | Mobile OTP | SIM, Low-risk |
| Static PIN | Password | Offline verification |
Privacy & Security
Data Protection Measures
- Encryption at rest and in transit
- Aadhaar data encrypted with TOS
- No data sharing without consent
- Regular security audits
Consumer Rights
- Right to access own data
- Right to correction
- Right to deletion (with exceptions)
- Grievance redressal mechanism