Bal Aadhaar Initiative- Relevance for UPSC Exam
- GS Paper 2: Governance, Administration and Challenges- Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
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.
NITI Aayog Report on Digital Banks
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.
UIDAI Audit: CAG Flags Several Issues in Aadhaar Card