The Indian government, in a recent development, has introduced greater flexibility in the Aadhaar enrolment process, allowing individuals with biometric challenges to enrol using alternative methods.
AADHAAR ENROLMENT FLEXIBILITY
In response to the challenges faced by individuals with blurred fingerprints or similar disabilities, the government has announced that eligible individuals can now enrol for Aadhaar using an iris scan if fingerprints are not available.
ALTERNATE BIOMETRIC OPTIONS
An official statement from Minister Chandrasekhar emphasised that individuals eligible for Aadhaar, unable to provide fingerprints, can opt for enrolment using only an iris scan. Similarly, those whose irises cannot be captured may enrol using only fingerprints.
ADVISORY TO AADHAAR SERVICE KENDRAS
A comprehensive advisory has been issued to all Aadhaar Service Kendras, instructing them to issue Aadhaar to individuals with blurred fingerprints or similar challenges by utilising alternate biometrics.
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ENROLMENT PROCESS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH BIOMETRIC CHALLENGES
Eligible individuals facing difficulties with both finger and iris biometrics are allowed to enrol without submitting either. The statement highlighted that essential information such as name, gender, address, and date of birth is captured along with available biometrics, while the missing ones are duly noted in the enrolment software.
For those unable to provide both finger and iris biometrics, a photograph is taken following specific guidelines to underscore the unavailability of fingers or iris or both. The Supervisor of the Aadhaar enrolment centre is responsible for validating such exceptional enrolments.
The statement emphasised the importance of photographic documentation in highlighting the unavailability of fingers or iris or both during the enrolment process.
It was clarified that every eligible individual undergoing the enrolment process, despite any biometric challenges, will be issued an Aadhaar number.
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Providing insights into the impact of this initiative, the statement mentioned that UIDAI enrols approximately 1,000 individuals daily under exceptional enrolment. To date, nearly 29 lakh persons with missing fingers or biometric challenges have been issued Aadhaar numbers by UIDAI.
