Layer: Identity & Authentication

DPI Deep Dive — Monday | August 31, 2026 This week’s L1 focus: Identity & Authentication — UIDAI, Aadhaar, eKYC, and the biometric infrastructure that gates access to India’s digital public services. 1. Mandatory Biometric Verification for Every SIM: India’s Most Consequential Identity Rule in Years On August 21, the Department of Telecommunications notified the Telecommunications (User Identification) Rules, 2026 (G.S.R. 750(E)), making live biometric verification — face, fingerprint, or iris — mandatory not just for new SIM connections but for replacements, detail changes, and even surrendering your own number. Aadhaar holders have no alternative: they must use Aadhaar e-KYC. Non-Aadhaar holders undergo D-KYC, which involves live facial capture, document scanning, and potential field visits. ...

DPI Deep Dive — Monday | August 10, 2026 India’s identity infrastructure had a turbulent week. From a multi-district Aadhaar fraud racket busted in Uttar Pradesh to NPCI’s new OTP mandate for high-value AePS withdrawals, and the Lok Sabha opening the door to UPI merchant fees — the L1 Identity & Authentication layer saw developments that cut across security, policy, and the economics of digital ID itself. Here are the five stories that mattered. ...

DPI Deep Dive — Monday | April 13, 2026 Focus Layer: L1 Identity & Authentication (UIDAI, Aadhaar, eKYC) Coverage Period: April 6-12, 2026 Executive Summary This week’s L1 Identity & Authentication layer witnessed significant developments spanning policy, infrastructure, and regional corrections. UIDAI’s partnership with MapmyIndia to display authorized Aadhaar Centres on Mappls marks a major step in making identity services more accessible. Meanwhile, a fresh PIL in the Supreme Court challenging Aadhaar’s issuance framework signals ongoing legal scrutiny. The Ladakh identity correction—resolving a 6.5-year anomaly where residents remained listed under J&K—highlights the importance of maintaining accurate demographic data in the Aadhaar ecosystem. Globally, the EU’s progress on Digital Identity Wallets provides valuable context for India’s approach. ...