UIDAI - Unique Identification Authority of India

What UIDAI - Unique Identification Authority of India does

UIDAI is a statutory authority established under the Aadhaar Act, 2016, operating under India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). It issues and manages Aadhaar, a 12-digit unique identification number for Indian residents built on biometric (fingerprint, iris, facial photograph) and demographic data. The system underpins identity verification across India's public and private sectors, covering 142.76 crore (1.4+ billion) residents and connecting with 1,787+ government welfare schemes, 105+ banks and financial institutions for e-KYC, and hundreds of enterprises for authentication services. UIDAI's mandate, scope, and statutory backing make it effectively a monopoly provider of foundational identity infrastructure in India.

UIDAI's core technical infrastructure comprises the Central Identities Data Repository (CIDR), which stores biometric and demographic records, and the Aadhaar Authentication and e-KYC services that allow requesting entities to verify identity via Yes/No responses or fetch demographic details over API. The stack includes encryption, multi-factor authentication, face authentication as a fallback biometric, and the newly launched Aadhaar App (January 2026) that allows residents to manage their profile, share selective data via QR codes, and store Aadhaar in digital wallets including Google Wallet (integration announced April 2026). Additional technical layers include a unified AI-powered multilingual chatbot built on the Bhashini/Sarvam AI stack, and ongoing biometric research collaboration with the National Forensic Sciences University.

UIDAI does not operate a commercial revenue model. It is funded through budgetary allocations from the Consolidated Fund of India, with operational procurement handled via competitive tenders (e.g., the BLS International contract worth Rs 2,055 crore for Aadhaar Seva Kendra operations). Transaction-based fees from authentication and e-KYC requests are charged to requesting entities, but the funds flow through government accounts. Its customers are the entire Indian resident base on the issuance side and the requesting entities — banks, telecom operators, government departments, and enterprises — on the consumption side. The organization functions as a regulator and infrastructure operator rather than a commercial enterprise, making it not directly investable through conventional PE/VC/M&A channels.

Name

UIDAI - Unique Identification Authority of India

Legal name

Unique Identification Authority of India

Website

https://uidai.gov.in

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

UIDAI is a statutory authority under India's MeitY that issues and manages Aadhaar, the world's largest biometric-based unique identification system covering 1.4+ billion residents and serving as the identity backbone for government welfare delivery, banking, telecom, and enterprise authentication across India.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Digital Identity Infrastructure

NAICS

Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (5182), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518210)

SIC

Electronic Computers (3571)

akta.pro primary industry

Identity Verification & Proofing (IDV, KYC, Biometrics) (HDADAAAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Identity Threat Detection & Response (ITDR) (HDAEAJAH), Identity Verification, Proofing & KYC (IDV) (HDAEAJAI)

Keywords

• Digital identity infrastructure
• Biometric authentication services
• Identity verification platform
• E-KYC services
• National identity authority

Headquarters

HQ city

New Delhi

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices16 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Personnel, Operations

Revenue model

1. Government Funded Operations: UIDAI is a statutory authority under MeitY, funded through government budgets. As a public infrastructure authority, it does not operate on commercial revenue models but is allocated funds from the Consolidated Fund of India for operations, infrastructure, and service delivery.
2. Aadhaar Update Fees: Nominal fees are charged for certain Aadhaar update services at enrollment centers: biometric updates (₹125), demographic updates (₹75), and document updates (₹75). Online document updates through myAadhaar portal remain free until June 14, 2027. Email updates via app are free until December 31, 2026.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

UIDAI operates the Aadhaar digital identity platform, India's national biometric-based unique identification system issuing 12-digit Aadhaar numbers to over 1.4 billion residents. The platform delivers identity verification and authentication services through biometric matching (fingerprint, iris, face), online real-time CIDR queries, and an Offline Verification (OVSE) framework. Core offerings span the Aadhaar mobile app, myAadhaar web portal, Aadhaar Seva Kendras, e-KYC APIs, and developer sandbox for ecosystem integration.

Product overview

UIDAI operates the Aadhaar digital identity platform, India's national biometric ID system serving over 1.4 billion residents. The platform consists of the Aadhaar App (mobile application with face authentication, QR verification, and biometric controls), myAadhaar Portal (web-based services for updates and downloads), and Aadhaar Seva Kendras (physical service centers). Key security and privacy features include Biometric Lock/Unlock, Virtual ID (VID), Masked Aadhaar, Authentication History, and Aadhaar Verifiable Credentials (integrated with Google Wallet). The ecosystem includes the OVSE Framework for offline verification, UIDAI Developer Sandbox for testing, and SITAA for innovation partnerships. The platform supports 1,787+ government schemes and enables services across banking, healthcare, fintech, and government service delivery sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Aadhaar App: The official mobile application for Aadhaar holders to access services including mobile update, address update, biometric lock/unlock, selective sharing of Aadhaar Verifiable Credential, check authentication history, download e-Aadhaar, share contact card, and track requests.
• myAadhaar Portal
• Aadhaar Seva Kendra
• OVSE (Offline Verification Seeking Entity)

Products and services

• Aadhaar App Official mobile application for Aadhaar holders providing face authentication, QR code-based verification, biometric lock/unlock, mobile/address/email updates, multi-profile support for up to five profiles, and selective data sharing. Available on Android and iOS.
• myAadhaar Portal Web portal enabling residents to download e-Aadhaar, update demographics, book appointments, check status, lock biometrics, generate VID, order PVC cards, and view authentication history. Supports 22 Indian languages.
• Aadhaar Seva Kendra (ASK) Physical service centers operated by UIDAI and partners (including BLS International under Rs 2,055 crore contract) providing Aadhaar enrollment, biometric updates, document verification, and grievance redressal across India.
• OVSE (Offline Verification Seeking Entity) Framework Framework enabling registered entities to perform secure, consent-based offline identity verification through QR codes and digitally signed documents without real-time CIDR connectivity. Used by hospitality, healthcare, fintech, education, and government sectors.
• UIDAI Developer Sandbox Sandbox environment providing developers with API resources, sample applications, tutorials, testing data, UIDAI certificates, and sample clients for integrating Aadhaar authentication and eKYC services before production deployment.
• Aadhaar PVC Card Durable PVC card version of Aadhaar that can be ordered online through the myAadhaar portal with OTP verification for easy portability.
• Aadhaar Verifiable Credentials Digital Aadhaar credentials stored in digital wallets (Google Wallet) enabling selective disclosure and privacy-preserving identity verification. Early adopters include PVR INOX (age verification), BharatMatrimony (profile verification), Atlys (visa applications), Mygate, and Snabbit.
• Baal Aadhaar Aadhaar enrollment facility for children below 5 years using family-based enrollment through the Head of Family system with biometric authentication of one parent. Special provisions for children in shelter homes, care institutions, and those without standard documentation.

Quantifiable outcome

• 105 banks use Aadhaar e-KYC, reducing processing time and costs by over 50%
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

AI capability6 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic, minor and major.

• Medi Assist Healthcare Services LimitedcoreTechnology or Integration · 16 July 2026Medi Assist integrated UIDAI's Aadhaar Offline Verification Framework into its health benefits platforms after becoming a registered OVSE. Enables secure, consent-based identity verification for members accessing healthcare benefits, reducing paperwork and fraud risks.
• iServeU Technology Pvt. LtdcoreTechnology or Integration · 2 July 2026iServeU secured OVSE certification from UIDAI, authorizing the company to facilitate Aadhaar-based identity verification without live database calls. Strengthens onboarding infrastructure for partner network of scheduled commercial banks, NBFCs, cooperative banks, and fintech platforms.
• NeurotechnologycoreTechnology or Integration · 17 June 2026Neurotechnology won the fingerprint track in UIDAI's Biometric SDK Benchmarking Competition with over 2,100 entrants, testing authentication using longitudinal datasets of children aged 5-10.
• InnovatricscoreTechnology or Integration · 17 June 2026Innovatrics won the face biometrics track in UIDAI's Biometric SDK Benchmarking Competition testing face authentication accuracy.
• IDBiocoreTechnology or Integration · 17 June 2026U.S.-based IDBio won the iris track in UIDAI's Biometric SDK Benchmarking Competition among over 2,100 entrants.
• Bank of BarodacoreTechnology or Integration · 27 May 2026Bank of Baroda launched UIDAI-based face authentication for setting or resetting UPI PINs on its bob इ Pay app. Enables PIN-free transactions and expands digital payment access beyond smartphones.
• National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU)strategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 May 2026UIDAI signed a five-year MoU with NFSU for collaboration on AI, blockchain, deepfake detection, cryptographic technologies, forensic infrastructure, and cybersecurity. Agreement exchanged between UIDAI CEO Vivek Chandra Verma and NFSU Director SO Junare.
• GooglecoreTechnology or Integration · 28 April 2026Google integrated Aadhaar Verifiable Credentials into Google Wallet, enabling Indian users to store and present digital Aadhaar ID on smartphones. Uses selective disclosure so only specific credentials required by a verifier are shared. Built on international standards ISO/IEC 18013-5 and W3C Digital Credentials API. Supports both online and offline verification.
• Com Olho IT Private LimitedminorOthers · 22 April 2026UIDAI selected 20 security researchers and ethical hackers for structured bug bounty program targeting core digital platforms including UIDAI website, myAadhaar portal, and Secure QR Code application. Executed in partnership with Com Olho IT Private Limited.
• Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)coreOthers · 28 January 2026MeitY oversees UIDAI as the parent ministry. The new Aadhaar App was developed and launched under MeitY's guidance as part of the Digital India initiative.
• BLS InternationalmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBLS International secured a Rs 2,055 crore contract from UIDAI to operate Aadhaar Seva Kendras. This is a major government services outsourcing contract as BLS transitions from visa-focused business to broader government services platform.
• Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC)coreTechnology or IntegrationLIC completed technical integration with UIDAI's Aadhaar verification framework. Piloting QR code-based consent verification for agent onboarding, annuity customer servicing for senior citizens, and microinsurance KYC across product lifecycle.
• IBMminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIBM hosted roundtable with senior government leaders including UIDAI representatives on 'Governing Control Across Data, AI & Cloud' discussing digital sovereignty, AI-driven cyber threats, workforce upskilling, and DPDP Act implications.
• Vietnam GovernmentminorOthersVietnamese Politburo Member Nguyễn Duy Ngọc held working sessions with UIDAI during President Tô Lâm's state visit to India. UIDAI presented the Aadhaar system serving 1.4 billion people as a model for Vietnam's digital infrastructure development.
• Institute of Engineering and Management, KolkataminorOthersWon UIDAI Data Hackathon 2026 (along with IISER Kolkata) by presenting analysis of aggregated Aadhaar enrollment and biometric update datasets.
• Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, KolkataminorOthersWon UIDAI Data Hackathon 2026 (along with IEM Kolkata) by presenting analysis of aggregated Aadhaar enrollment and biometric update datasets, offering recommendations to improve service delivery.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• SingPass (GovTech Singapore): Singapore's national digital identity platform providing login, authentication, and digital signature services to citizens and businesses. Comparable as a government-operated digital identity system supporting public and private sector use cases.
• Information System Authority of Estonia: Estonia's state authority managing the e-Identity system including digital ID cards, e-Residency, and authentication infrastructure. Comparable as a digitally advanced sovereign identity system serving 1.3M+ residents with extensive e-governance integration.
• NADRA (National Database and Registration Authority): Pakistan's national biometric identity authority operating a similar multi-modal biometric ID system for 240M+ citizens. Directly comparable as a sovereign national ID infrastructure with e-KYC, biometric authentication, and government service integration capabilities.

Peers

• PhilSys (Philippine Statistics Authority):

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/uidai
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/AadhaarUID
• Facebookfacebook.com/215099575182687
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/unique-identification-authority-of-india-uidai-
• Instagraminstagram.com/aadhaar_official/?hl=en

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about UIDAI - Unique Identification Authority of India