UIDAI has announced a major shift in the way Aadhaar verification will work.
Hotels, banks, event organizers, and other institutions will no longer be allowed to ask for a photocopy of your Aadhaar card.
Instead, verification will move fully to a digital system using QR codes or the new Aadhaar app.
Any organization that wants to verify Aadhaar offline must first register with UIDAI.
This step ensures that your data is shared only with authorized entities.
Why the Photocopy Rule Is Being Removed
For years, Aadhaar photocopies have been freely collected by hotels, offices, banks, and even small service providers.
These copies often contained your complete details—your name, address, Aadhaar number, and date of birth.
Once submitted, these papers were stored in files for years.
There was no way to track who accessed them, when they were used, or how they were handled.
This created a major threat to privacy, leading to data leaks and identity theft.
Fraud cases also increased. Criminals misused Aadhaar details from photocopies to obtain SIM cards, open bank accounts, or commit financial scams.
By ending photocopy-based verification, UIDAI aims to block these risks and make identity verification more secure.
UIDAI’s New Digital Verification System
The new Aadhaar system gives you more control over your personal information.
UIDAI plans to introduce a redesigned Aadhaar card that shows only your photo and a secure QR code.
Details such as name, address, birthdate, and Aadhaar number will not be printed on the card.
All essential information will be stored inside the encrypted QR code. When scanned, only the required details will be shown to the verifying authority.
This prevents unnecessary data sharing.
A new official Aadhaar app will also support this system.
You can store your digital Aadhaar and verify your identity anywhere just by showing your QR code.
No physical documents, no photocopies, and no storage of your information by third parties.
How This Protects Your Privacy
Photocopies expose far more information than needed.
With QR-based verification, only essential data is shared.
Sensitive information like your address or Aadhaar number stays hidden unless absolutely required.
Organizations will also no longer store your documents, eliminating the risk of data leaks and misuse.
This shift aligns with India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act and strengthens overall cybersecurity.
Before vs Now: What Changes for You?
| Aspect | Before (Photocopy System) | Now (Digital QR System) |
|---|---|---|
| Identity submission | Photocopy required | Only QR scan or app verification |
| Details on Aadhaar card | Full details printed | Only photo + QR code |
| Privacy | High risk of leaks & misuse | Information shared only during scan |
| Who can verify | Anyone who collects a copy | Only UIDAI-registered institutions |
| Misuse potential | High | Minimal |
What It Means for Everyday Users
Checking into a hotel, opening a bank account, attending an event, or verifying your identity anywhere will now be quicker and safer.
You simply show your digital Aadhaar or QR code, get it scanned, and the process is complete.
No photocopies.
No file storage.
No risk of misuse.
