On Friday, the Indian government broadened the Aadhaar authentication service to encompass both public and private organizations across various sectors. This initiative stems from a recent amendment announced by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), which aims to facilitate innovation and enhance public services.
MeitY Expands Aadhaar Authentication Service
The initiative falls under the Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance (Social Welfare, Innovation, Knowledge) Amendment Rules, 2025, as part of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016. MeitY published this update via an eGazzette notification and announced it on social media through a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Following this amendment, both public and private entities will have the ability to utilize the Aadhaar authentication service to validate the identities of their users and customers. A press release from the ministry indicated that this move is expected to facilitate trustworthy transactions for both service providers and seekers.
The ministry emphasized that the amendment is designed to expand the applications of Aadhaar authentication in the promotion of good governance, social welfare, innovation, and the dissemination of knowledge. MeitY also noted that leveraging Aadhaar by various entities would enhance service delivery and improve the ease of living for the public. The expansion will currently affect sectors including e-commerce, travel, tourism, hospitality, and healthcare.
To gain access to the Aadhaar authentication service, eligible entities must submit an application, detailing their intended use, to the relevant ministry or department within the Central or State government, following a specified format. Applications will undergo review by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), with approvals granted by MeitY based on UIDAI’s recommendations.
This amendment revises previous legislation from 2020 that limited private entities’ access to the Aadhaar authentication service. This restriction was instated in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling that prohibited private organizations from accessing Aadhaar data, citing concerns related to data security and privacy.
