Bal Aadhaar Initiative

Table of Contents

Bal Aadhaar Initiative- Relevance for UPSC Exam

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Bal Aadhaar Initiative in News

Recently, Ministry of Electronics and IT informed that Unique Identification Authority (UIDAI) has enrolled more than 79 lakh children in the 0 – 5 age group during the first four months (April-July) of the current financial year.
While 2.64 crore children in the 0-5 age group had Bal Aadhaar by the end of March 31, 2022, this number has increased to 3.43 crore by the end of July 2022.

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Bal Aadhaar Initiative

About: Children in the age group of 0-5 years are issued Bal Aadhaar by UIDAI.
- Collection of biometrics (fingerprints and iris) is a key feature in issuing Aadhaar as the same is required to establish uniqueness based on de-duplication of these biometrics.
- However, for Aadhaar enrolment of children in the age group of 0-5 years, these biometrics are not collected.
Issuing Authority: Bal Aadhaar is issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).
Key Data Collected: Aadhaar enrolment of children in the age group of 0-5 years are carried out based on a facial image of the child, and biometric authentication of the parent/guardian (having a valid Aadhaar).
- A proof of relationship document (preferably birth certificate) is collected at the time of enrolment for Bal Aadhaar.
Colour of Bal Aadhar: To differentiate the Bal Aadhaar from normal Aadhaar, it is issued in blue colour.
Validity: Bal Aadhaar is issued with a remark that this is valid till the child attains the age of 5 years.
Mandatory Biometric Update (MBU): On attaining the age of 5, the child is required to furnish his or her biometrics at an Aadhaar Seva Kendra to complete a process called mandatory biometric update (MBU).
- The MBU process goes through a de-duplication process.
- After completion of this process, the child is issued a normal Aadhaar without any change in the Aadhaar number.
Significance: Bal Aadhaar works as a facilitator in availing several welfare benefits, and also works as a digital photo identity for children right from birth.

Unique Identification Authority of India- Key Points

About: UIDAI is a statutory authority established under the provisions of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016 by the Government of India.
- Earlier, UIDAI was created through a government notification in 2009 and was functioning as an attached office of the then Planning Commission (now NITI Aayog).
Parent Ministry of UIDAI: It functions under the Department of Electronics & Information Technology (DeitY) of the then Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.
Objective of UIDAI: To issue Unique Identification numbers (UID), named as “Aadhaar”, to all residents of India

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Mandate of UIDAI

Under Aadhaar Act 2016, UIDAI is responsible for
- Aadhaar enrolment and authentication, including operation and management of all stages of Aadhaar life cycle
- Developing the policy, procedure, and system for issuing Aadhaar numbers to individuals and
- Perform authentication and the security of identity information and authentication records of individuals.

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