‘Aadhaar verification is like making UPI payment’: Ashwini Vaishnaw launches Aadhaar app with face ID, QR code features

Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw launched a new Aadhaar app on Tuesday, with new features such as face ID and QR code to enhance both accessibility and security. Speaking at the Aadhaar Samvaad event in New Delhi on April 8, he said that Aadhaar is the “aadhaar” (foundation) of many government initiatives and lies at the core of India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).

In a post on Twitter (now X), the minister announced the app’s launch and stated that Indians would no longer need to carry physical Aadhaar cards or photocopies for identification.

‘Share only necessary data’

The minister shared the features of the app in a thread on social media. The new Aadhaar app allows users to “share only the necessary data” with a single tap, giving them full control over their personal information and how much data they are willing to share while availing services.

Aadhaar verification is as simple as making a UPI payment

“Aadhaar verification becomes as simple as making UPI payment. Users can now digitally verify and share their Aadhaar details while ensuring their privacy,” he wrote, adding that Indians can now share Aadhaar details by either scanning a QR code or selecting the relevant platform within the app, all while maintaining their privacy.

‘No more scanned or printed copies’

Ashwini Vaishnaw, while launching the app, said that users will no longer be required to carry Aadhaar card, scanned or printed copies for verification. The app enables individuals to scan a QR code and then approve or deny the request to share their Aadhaar details.

‘100 per cent digital and secure’

Vaishnaw also declared that Aadhaar is now “100 per cent digital and secure,” eliminating the need to hand over photocopies at hotel receptions, shops, or while travelling. He stressed that the Aadhaar app is both secure and designed to share data only with the user’s explicit consent.

He also added that the newly launched Aadhaar app ensures “more privacy, protection against forgery or editing” and places a curb on “misuse or leaks of Aadhaar data. 

The app is rolled out to Beta users, including all the registered participants of this Aadhaar Samvaad event. Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) plans to roll it out to the general public after incorporating feedback from Beta users and ecosystem partners.