Why UIDAI has opened its eyes to face authentication for Aadhaar card holders

A brand new mode of identification is on the way from July 1 for Aadhaar card holders to use alongside other systems. Nandagopal Rajan explains how this new mode will work.

Written by Nandagopal Rajan | Updated: January 16, 2018 6:54 am

The eyes have it, but not always: Soon, Aadhaar holders could also have facial identification, in combination with other biometrics, for their benefits. (File Photo)

A brand new mode of identification is on the way from July 1 for Aadhaar card holders to use alongside other systems. Nandagopal Rajan explains how this new mode will work.

Why is yet another authentication mode being offered for Aadhaar?

With several recent complaints that the two existing biometric authentications for Aadhaar — fingerprints and iris scans — haven’t worked, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has decided to enable face authentication as an additional mode starting from July 1. This facility is to help those unable to use the existing biometrics for authentication because their fingerprints are worn out (from old age or hard work) or their iris is affected by injury or disease. There have been reports that people with these issues weren’t able to get Aadhaar-related benefits.