In a major step toward modernising India’s digital identity ecosystem, the Centre has approved sweeping changes to Aadhaar regulations, formally introducing facial authentication and strengthening citizen control over personal data under the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) framework.
The updated rules are expected to significantly expand Aadhaar’s usability while placing stronger safeguards around privacy, consent, and transparency. According to reports by PTI and Moneycontrol, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is preparing to implement these reforms through a redesigned Aadhaar application in the coming months.
Facial Authentication Gets Official Backing
One of the most transformative changes is the formal recognition of facial authentication as a valid Aadhaar verification method. Until now, Aadhaar authentication depended largely on fingerprints and iris scans—methods that often fail for senior citizens, manual labourers, and persons with disabilities.
Officials say facial authentication will offer a more inclusive, convenient, and reliable alternative, especially in cases where biometric data cannot be captured accurately. The technology will also help verify the physical presence of Aadhaar holders, adding an extra layer of security to identity checks.
Purpose Limitation: Citizens Take Back Control
At the heart of the revised rules lies the principle of purpose limitation, a key feature of the DPDP law. Under this provision, organisations will be allowed to access only the specific Aadhaar details for which explicit consent has been granted.
Aadhaar holders will now be able to decide what information—such as photographs, age, or identification details—can be shared, and for what purpose. Experts describe this as a decisive move toward privacy-first digital governance, shifting control from institutions to individuals.
Private Firms Get Regulated Aadhaar Access
In another significant development, the government has opened the Aadhaar ecosystem to private entities, allowing them to conduct identity verification under clearly defined legal and technical safeguards.
Officials clarified that private firms—including those in banking, travel, hospitality, and event management—will be permitted to use Aadhaar authentication only after complying with UIDAI norms and DPDP regulations. The move is expected to improve secure digital onboarding while preventing misuse.
Facial authentication, for instance, could be deployed at large ticketed events or controlled-access venues, reducing fraud while ensuring privacy.
Privacy and Accountability at the Core
Government authorities stress that the reforms are not meant to enable indiscriminate Aadhaar usage. Instead, the emphasis is on consent, accountability, and transparency. All Aadhaar data access will be logged, and users will be informed about who accessed their data and why.
Strict penalties under the DPDP law will apply for unauthorised data collection, storage, or misuse, reinforcing trust in the system.
What Comes Next
Sources indicate that the revised Aadhaar rules may be officially notified soon, with phased nationwide implementation. Analysts believe the move positions Aadhaar as a secure, consent-based digital utility, rather than merely an identity card.
As India accelerates its digital governance push, these reforms aim to strike a balance between service efficiency, technological innovation, and the fundamental right to privacy—marking a new chapter in the Aadhaar journey.
