Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Livemint
Livemint
National
Devesh Kumar

UIDAI issues guidelines for offline Aadhar verification entities. Read here

The organizations conducting offline verification of an Aadhaar number holder for a lawful purpose are called OVSEs (MINT_PRINT)

The organizations conducting offline verification of an Aadhaar number holder for a lawful purpose are called OVSEs.

Offline verification is the use of Aadhaar for carrying out identity verification and KYC processes locally, without connecting to the Central Identities Data Repository of UIDAI.

"Entities have been informed to perform verification of Aadhaar after explicit consent of the Aadhaar number holder. These entities need to be courteous to residents and assure them about the security and confidentiality of their Aadhaar while conducting offline verification,' the authority said in a press release.

Entities must maintain the log/record of the explicit consent received from residents for any future audit by UIDAI or any other legal agency thereof, the press release added.

Instead of accepting Aadhar in physical form, the UIDAI asked OVSEs to verify Aadhaar via the QR Code present on all four forms of Aadhaar (Aadhaar letter, e-Aadhaar, m-Aadhaar, and Aadhaar PVC card).

The authority also insisted that no services are denied to any resident for refusing to or being unable to undergo offline verification of Aadhaar, provided the resident is able to identify himself/ herself through other viable alternatives.

It has been underlined that OVSEs need to provide residents with viable alternative means of identification in addition to Aadhaar, for rendering service.

“Verification entities, generally should not collect, use or store the Aadhaar number of the resident after having conducted offline verification of Aadhaar, UIDAI has informed OVSEs. Post verification, if the OVSE finds it necessary for any reason, to store a copy of Aadhaar, the OVSE must ensure that the Aadhaar number is redacted/masked and irretrievable," UIDAI said.

Tampering with Aadhaar documents can be detected by offline verification, and tampering is a punishable offense and is liable for penalties under Section 35 of the Aadhaar Act. 

In cases of misuse of information, verification entities need to inform UIDAI and the resident concern within 72 hours.

UIDAI has cautioned OVSEs not to perform offline verification on behalf of any other entity or person and ensure full cooperation with the Authority or law enforcement agencies in case of any investigation involving the misuse of Aadhaar.

Catch all the Business News, Market News, Breaking News Events and Latest News Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates.
More Less
Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.