The Government of India has launched a new Aadhaar app with Face ID authentication and QR code scanning, enabling secure digital verification without physical cards or photocopies. Users can now share only essential Aadhaar data with full privacy and consent.
In a significant move toward strengthening digital identity systems and enhancing data privacy, the Government of India on Tuesday launched a new Aadhaar mobile application that enables citizens to digitally verify and share their Aadhaar details without needing to carry physical cards or submit photocopies.
The innovative app was formally launched by Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, in the national capital. Describing the new application as a major step in India’s journey toward a secure digital public infrastructure, Vaishnaw said the app is designed to make Aadhaar verification easier, quicker, and more secure for all citizens.
“New Aadhaar App, Face ID authentication via mobile app. No physical card, no photocopies,” the minister said in a video message shared on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). He highlighted the core feature of the application: the ability for users to share only the required data securely and only with their consent.
Revolutionizing Aadhaar Verification with Mobile Technology
The app brings a fresh wave of innovation by integrating Face ID-based authentication, allowing users to verify their Aadhaar identity by simply looking at their mobile screen. This biometric feature replaces the need for physical signatures, OTPs, or fingerprints in many use cases.
In addition, the Aadhaar verification process now mirrors the simplicity of UPI payments, wherein users can authenticate themselves by scanning a QR code. “Aadhaar verification becomes as simple as making a UPI payment,” Vaishnaw explained.
This means that instead of handing over photocopies of Aadhaar at public or private establishments, users can now simply use the app to digitally verify their identity in seconds.
Addressing Concerns Over Misuse of Aadhaar Copies
One of the main issues the app seeks to address is the frequent misuse of Aadhaar photocopies at various verification points such as hotel receptions, shops, airports, and during travel bookings. These physical copies have often been a source of data leaks and identity frauds.
Vaishnaw said the new app puts an end to this problem. “No need to hand over Aadhaar photocopy at hotel receptions, shops or during travel,” he emphasized. “With this app, users can verify their identity without compromising their personal information.”
Built-In Privacy and Security Features
Currently in its beta testing phase, the app has been engineered with strong privacy safeguards. Every piece of Aadhaar data shared through the app is digitally signed and encrypted, ensuring that it cannot be forged, edited, or misused by unauthorized parties.
The app also gives users complete control over their data, allowing them to decide what to share, when, and with whom. This consent-based data sharing model aligns with the government’s growing focus on data privacy and citizen rights in the digital space.
Officials involved in the project said the app will also minimize human error and corruption in identity verification processes, especially in sensitive or high-security environments.
A Boost to India’s Digital Public Infrastructure
Calling Aadhaar the “aadhaar” (foundation) of various government schemes and digital services, Minister Vaishnaw said the launch of this app reaffirms India’s commitment to building a robust, secure, and scalable digital public infrastructure (DPI).
He also pointed to the growing role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in shaping future-ready digital services. “We are entering an era where citizens will not only have digital identities but also full control over how they use them,” he said.
The Aadhaar app is expected to play a crucial role in streamlining access to welfare schemes, banking, education, and healthcare services, especially for citizens in remote and rural areas who may not carry physical identity documents at all times.
Nationwide Rollout Soon
While the app is currently in its beta phase and accessible to select users, a nationwide rollout is expected in the coming months after incorporating feedback and ensuring compatibility across devices and platforms.
With this initiative, the Centre takes another important step toward its vision of a digital-first India, where identity verification becomes seamless, secure, and respectful of citizens’ privacy.
