metro india news  I new delhi

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is preparing to notify a new rule that will make it mandatory for entities such as hotels and event organisers to register before conducting Aadhaar-based offline verification, a senior official said.

The move aims to curb the widespread practice of collecting and storing photocopies of Aadhaar cards, which violates provisions of the Aadhaar Act. UIDAI CEO Bhuvnesh Kumar said the authority has cleared the rule and notification will follow shortly.

Once implemented, registered entities will be provided access to a secure API, enabling them to verify Aadhaar details through QR code scanning or via a new Aadhaar app currently under beta testing. This app-to-app verification method will eliminate dependence on central servers, reducing downtime and ensuring faster verification at locations such as airports, hotels and retail stores dealing with age-restricted products.

Kumar said the new process will strengthen privacy safeguards by removing the need for paper-based verification and reducing chances of data misuse. The upcoming app will also allow users to update address documents and add family members who do not have mobile phones. The system is being aligned with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, expected to be fully operational in 18 months.