DPI Brief — June 03, 2026

UIDAI Phases Out mAadhaar, Launches New Aadhaar App with Face Authentication and Privacy Controls

Layer 1 — Identity

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has begun urging users to migrate from the legacy mAadhaar application to a completely redesigned Aadhaar app, confirming that the old platform is nearing end-of-life. The new app introduces three significant capabilities absent from mAadhaar: QR code-based Aadhaar sharing for selective data disclosure, face authentication as an additional verification method, and enhanced biometric lock/unlock controls.

The shift represents a move toward consent-based, privacy-centric identity verification — users can now verify credentials like age and identity without revealing their full Aadhaar number to service providers. UIDAI has described the new platform as offering a “smarter, faster, and more secure digital journey.” Existing mAadhaar users will need to register fresh on the new platform as data is not expected to transfer automatically.

Additionally, UIDAI has extended the free Aadhaar document update deadline to June 14, 2026. After this date, demographic updates will cost ₹75 and biometric updates ₹125.

Sources: Gulf News, Biometric Update

UPI Hits Record 23.2 Billion Transactions in May; Expands to Cambodia via KHQR Linkage

Layer 2 — Payments

UPI processed a record 23.20 billion transactions worth ₹29.90 lakh crore in May 2026, marking 24% year-on-year growth in volume and 19% in value, according to NPCI data. The surge was driven by summer travel spending and IPL 2026-related transactions. The daily average crossed 748 million transactions, further cementing UPI’s position as the world’s largest real-time payment network.

In a major international expansion, NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) partnered with ACLEDA Bank Plc. to launch UPI acceptance in Cambodia through the country’s national QR code system, KHQR. Indian travellers can now make QR-based payments at over 4.5 million merchant outlets across Cambodia using UPI-enabled apps. In the next phase, Cambodian visitors will be able to pay at UPI QR-enabled merchants in India using their domestic banking apps — creating a two-way interoperable corridor. Cambodia becomes the ninth country where UPI is operational, joining the UAE, Singapore, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, France, Mauritius, and Qatar.

Sources: Deccan Chronicle, Business Standard, The Hindu Business Line

ONDC Crosses 450 Million Transactions; Raises ₹220 Crore from Zoho, Uber, Paytm and BSE

Layer 4 — Commerce

The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) has surpassed 450 million cumulative transactions, with daily metro and bus ticket bookings alone crossing 300,000. The platform — backed by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) — recorded 218 million transactions in FY26, driven by rapid expansion in shared mobility and public transport segments.

In a significant fundraising round, ONDC secured ₹220 crore from four strategic investors: Zoho Corporation (₹70 crore), Uber (₹60 crore), Paytm (₹60 crore), and BSE Technologies (₹30 crore). Sridhar Vembu’s Zoho described the investment as supporting India’s sovereign digital technology infrastructure and making digital commerce accessible for MSMEs. Uber’s investment builds on its existing ONDC mobility integration. The government-backed network is reportedly seeking an additional ₹210 crore, signalling sustained investor confidence in the interoperable commerce model.

Sources: Economic Times, Business Standard, Angel One

TRAI Advances V2X Consultation and Consumer Complaint Redressal Regulations

Layer 7 — Trust

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) extended the comment deadline on its consultation paper for a regulatory framework for Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) Communication to June 4, 2026 (with counter-comments due June 18). Originally released on April 30, 2026, the paper addresses wireless communication standards enabling vehicles to interact with other vehicles, infrastructure, pedestrians, and networks — technology critical for road safety, traffic efficiency, and autonomous driving. India registered a 25% year-on-year increase in connected car adoption in 2024, making it the fastest-growing market globally.

Separately, TRAI released the Draft Telecom Consumers Complaint Redressal (Fourth Amendment) Regulation, 2026, proposing strict penalties for poor complaint handling by telecom service providers. An open house discussion is scheduled for June 3, 2026 via video conferencing. These moves signal TRAI’s push for both next-generation telecom infrastructure governance and stronger consumer protection in the digital communications space.

Sources: ET Legal World, PIB, TRAI

Published by DPI Watch — tracking India’s Digital Public Infrastructure, one layer at a time.