UID FAQs

1 What’s this number?

Aadhaar is a 12-digit unique number which UIDAI is issuing for all residents. The number is being linked to the biometric information—photograph, ten fingerprints and iris of each individual.

2 Will I get a card?

UIDAI will issue a number, not a card. But you will get a letter with all details along with the number.

3 Do I need to still carry other cards?

Yes, your passport, credit card, driving licence, PAN card etc. will remain as it is. This identity infrastructure would help other authorities to authenticate your identity. But those authorities would continue to do their own verifications.

4 Will I still need to run to a bureaucrat to get my photo attested while filling up a government form?

The attestation will still be needed. But once RBI allows, you won’t need any documents to open a bank account if you have an Aadhaar number.

5 Will it help trace history of all financial, legal transaction, etc. that I have carried out?

No. The UIDAI will collect only biometric and demographic information about an individual and will not even ask for information on caste, religion or language.

6 Will it help me in getting a new phone connection?

If UIDAI’s negotiations with telecom ministry is successful, no identification will be required for having a phone connection if you have an Aadhaar number.

7 Will it be valid if I migrate from one state to another?

Yes, it will give a portable identity to about 120 million migrants in India. Aadhaar will be accepted in any part of the country.

8 Will it help police and local governments?

For police, personal data including photograph , fingerprints and iris would be a great asset for any investigation. Even for local governments, monitoring Central schemes would be much easier.

9 How will it help innovators?

It will allow innovators to build new services on the top of it. Companies are likely to develop financial products on the top of this open architecture.

10 Will I be able to take out money in a village that does not have any banks or ATMs?

UIDAI is discussing with telecommunications ministry for introduction of Micro-ATMs in villages. It will be like a mobile phone-like device with finger print reader attached to it. A villager can walk up to a micro-ATM , put his finger, authenticate himself and withdraw money rather than going to a bank branch far from his village.

Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Infotech-Software/UID-FAQs/articleshow/7009690.cms