The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has taken a significant step toward modernizing how we prove our identity. Recently, the authority notified new amendments to the Aadhaar (Authentication and Offline Verification) Regulations, 2021. These changes aim to make identity checks more secure, private, and convenient, especially in places like hotels or offices where we often leave behind photocopies of our Aadhaar cards.
What is the New Aadhaar Verifiable Credential (AVC)?
One of the most important updates is the introduction of the Aadhaar Verifiable Credential (AVC). This is a digitally signed document that allows users to share their details without revealing their full 12-digit Aadhaar number.
In the past, many people felt uneasy sharing a physical copy of their Aadhaar card because it contains sensitive information. The AVC solves this by allowing selective disclosure. This means you can choose exactly what information you want to share—such as just your name and photo—while keeping your address or full Aadhaar number hidden.
Offline Face Verification: Identity Check Without the Internet
Another major addition is Offline Face Verification. This feature allows an entity (like a hotel receptionist) to verify your identity by matching your live face image with the photograph stored inside the secure Aadhaar application on your phone.
The process is designed to be highly secure:
- Initial Setup: A user first completes a one-time online authentication through UIDAI servers to establish their digital identity.
- Offline Match: Once set up, subsequent verifications can be done offline. The system captures a live photo and compares it 1:1 with the one in the app.
- No Central Server Needed: Since the verification happens locally between the app and the entity's scanner, it doesn't require a live connection to the central UIDAI database every time.
Stricter Rules for Entities (OVSEs)
To ensure that your data is not misused, UIDAI has tightened the rules for Offline Verification Seeking Entities (OVSEs). Any organization that wants to use these new offline tools must now register with UIDAI.
UIDAI CEO Bhuvnesh Kumar highlighted that these steps are being taken to discourage the habit of "collecting photocopies." Often, physical copies are collected without proper verification, leaving them vulnerable to manipulation or theft. By moving to digital, verifiable credentials, the risk of tampering is significantly reduced.
New Aadhaar App: Launching Soon
All these features will be hosted on a brand-new Aadhaar application. Currently in its testing phase, the app is scheduled to be available in beta mode on January 1, 2026. The official nationwide launch is planned for January 28, 2026, which is also celebrated as UIDAI Day.
The new app will serve as a secure digital wallet for your identity. It will allow you to:
- Manage up to five profiles (useful for families).
- Generate QR codes for instant scanning.
- Control exactly which demographic details are shared during a check.
Final Take
These amendments represent a "privacy-first" shift in India's digital infrastructure. By replacing physical photocopies with secure, digitally signed credentials and face matching, UIDAI is giving citizens more control over their personal data while making the verification process faster and more reliable for businesses.
