LexThe Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016.
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THE AADHAAR (TARGETED DELIVERY OF FINANCIAL AND OTHER SUBSIDIES,
BENEFITS AND SERVICES) ACT, 2016
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ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
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CHAPTER I
PRELIMINARY
SECTIONS
1. Short title, extent and commencement.
2. Definitions.
CHAPTER II
ENROLMENT
3. Aadhaar number.
3A. Aadhaar number of children.
4. Properties of Aadhaar number.
5. Special measures for issuance of Aadhaar number to certain category of persons.
6. Update of certain information.
CHAPTER III
AUTHENTICATION
7. Proof of Aadhaar number necessary for receipt of certain subsidies, benefits and services, etc.
8. Authentication of Aadhaar number.
8A. Offline verification of Aadhaar number.
9. Aadhaar number not evidence of citizenship or domicile, etc.
10. Central Identities Data Repository.
CHAPTER IV
UNIQUE IDENTIFICATION AUTHORITYOF INDIA
11. Establishment of Authority.
12. Composition of Authority.
13. Qualifications for appointment of Chairperson and Members of Authority.
14. Term of office and other conditions of service of Chairperson and Members.
15. Removal of Chairperson and Members.
16. Restrictions on Chairperson or Members on employment after cessation of office.
17. Functions of Chairperson.
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SECTIONS
18. Chief executive officer.
19. Meetings of Authority.
20. Vacancies, etc., not to invalidate proceedings of Authority.
21. Officers and other employees of Authority.
22. Transfer of assets, liabilities of Authority.
23. Powers and functions of Authority.
23A. Power of Authority to issue directions.
CHAPTER V
GRANTS, ACCOUNTSAND AUDITAND ANNUAL REPORT
24. Grants by Central Government.
25. Fund.
26. Accounts and audit.
27. Returns and annual report, etc.
CHAPTER VI
PROTECTIONOF INFORMATION
28. Security and confidentiality of information.
29. Restriction on sharing information.
30. Biometric information deemed to be sensitive personal information.
31. Alteration of demographic information or biometric information.
32. Access to own information and records of requests for authentication.
33. Disclosure of information in certain cases.
CHAPTER VIA
CIVIL PENALTIES
33A. Penalty for failure to comply with provisions of this Act, rules, regulations and
directions.
33B. Power to adjudicate.
33C. Appeals to Appellate Tribunal.
33D. Procedure and powers of the Appellate Tribunal
33E. Appeal to Supreme Court of India.
33F. Civil court not to have jurisdiction.
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CHAPTER VII
OFFENCESAND PENALTIES
SECTIONS
34. Penalty for impersonation at time of enrolment.
35. Penalty for impersonation of Aadhaar number holder by changing demographic information or
biometric information.
36. Penalty for impersonation.
37. Penalty for disclosing identity information.
38. Penalty for unauthorised access to the Central Identities Data Repository.
39. Penalty for tampering with data in Central Identities Data Repository.
40. Penalty for unauthorised use by requesting entity or offline verification-seeking entity.
41. Penalty for non-compliance with intimation requirements.
42. General penalty.
43. Offences by companies.
44. Act to apply for offence or contravention committed outside India.
45. Power to investigate offences.
46. Penalties not to interfere with other punishments.
47. Cognizance of offences.
CHAPTER VIII
MISCELLANEOUS
48. Power of Central Government to supersede Authority.
49. Members, officers, etc., to be public servants.
50. Power of Central Government to issue directions.
50A. Exemption from tax on income.
51. Delegation.
52. Protection of action taken in good faith.
53. Power of Central Government to make rules.
54. Power of Authority to make regulations.
55. Laying of rules and regulations before Parliament.
56. Application of other laws not barred.
57. [Omitted.].
58. Power to remove difficulties.
59. Savings.
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THE AADHAAR (TARGETED DELIVERY OF FINANCIAL AND OTHER SUBSIDIES,
BENEFITS AND SERVICES) ACT, 2016
ACT NO. 18 OF 2016
[25th March, 2016.]
An Act to provide for, as a good governance, efficient, transparent, and targeted delivery of
subsidies, benefits and services, the expenditure for which is incurred from the Consolidated
Fund of India, 1[or the Consolidated Fund of the State ] to individuals residing in India
through assigning of unique identity numbers to such individuals and for matters connected
therewith or incidental thereto.
BE it enacted by Parliament in the Sixty-seventh Year of the Republic of India as follows:—
CHAPTER I
PRELIMINARY
1. Short title, extent and commencement .—(1) This Act may be called the Aadhaar (Targeted
Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016.
(2) It shall extend to the whole of India 2*** and save as otherwise provided in this Act, it shall also
apply to any offence or contravention thereunder committed outside India by any person.
(3) It shall come into force on such date 3 as the Central Government may, by notification in the
Official Gazette, appoint; and different dates may, be appointed for different provisions of this Act and
any reference in any such provision to the commencement of this Act shall be construed as a reference to
the commencement of that provision.
2. Definitions.—In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—
4[(a) “Aadhaar number” means an identification number issued to an individual under sub-section
(3) of section 3, and includes any alternative virtual identity generated under sub -section (4) of that
section;]
5[(aa) “Aadhaar ecosystem” includes enrolling agencies, Registrars, requesting entities, offline
verification-seeking entities and any other entity or group of entities as may be specified by
regulations;]
(b) “Aadhaar number holder” means an individual who has been issued an Aadhaar number under
this Act;
4[(ba) “Adjudicating Officer” means an Adjudicating Officer appointed under sub -section (1) of
section 33B;
(bb) “Appellate Tribunal” means the Appellate Tribunal referred to in sub -section (1) of section
33C;]
(c) “authentication” means the process by which the Aadhaar number alongwith demographic
information or biometric information of an individual is submitted to the Central Identities Data
Repository for its verification and such Repository verifies the correctness, or the lack thereof, on the
basis of information available with it;
1. Ins. by Act 14 of 2019, s. 2 (w.e.f. 25-7-2019).
2. The words “except the State of Jammu and Kashmir” omitted by Act 34 of 2019, s. 95 and the Fifth Schedule
(w.e.f. 31-10- 2019).
3.12th September, 2016 — Sections 1 to 10, 24 to 47, vide notification No. S.O. 2927 (E), dated 12th September, 2016 see
Gazette of India Extraordinary, Part II, s. 3 (ii).
12th July, 2016 — Sections 11 to 20, 22 and 23, 48 to 59, vide notification No. S.O. 2357 (E), dated 12 the July 2016, see
Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, s. 3 (ii).
25th July, 2019 — Sections1 to 30, vide notification No. S.O. 2649 (E), dated 25th July, 2019 see Gazette of India,
Extraordinary, Part II, s. 3 (ii).
4. Subs. by Act 14 of 2019, s, 3, for clause (a) (w.e.f. 25-7-2019).
5. Ins. by s. 3, ibid, (w.e.f. 25-7-2019).
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(d) “authentication record” means the record of the time of authentication and identity of the
requesting entity and the response provided by the Authority thereto;
(e) “Authority” means the Unique Identification Authority of India established under sub -section
(1) of section 11;
(f) “benefit” means any advantage, gift, reward, relief, or payment, in cash or kind, provided to an
individual or a group of individuals and includes such other benefits as may be notified by the Central
Government;
(g) “biometric information” means photograph, finger print, Iris scan, or such other biological
attributes of an individual as may be specified by regulations;
(h) “Central Identities Data Repository” means a centralised database in one or more locations
containing all Aadhaar numbers issued to Aadhaar number holders along with the corresponding
demographic information and biometric information of such individuals and other information related
thereto;
(i) “Chairperson” means the Chairperson of the Authority appointed under section 12;
1[(ia) “child” means a person who has not completed eighteen years of age;]
(j) “core biometric information” means finger print, Iris scan, or such other biological attribute of
an individual as may be specified by regulations;
(k) “demographic information” includes information relating to the name, date of birth, address
and other relevant information of an individual, as may be specified by regulations for the purpose of
issuing an Aadhaar number, but shall not include race, religion, caste, tribe, ethnicity, language,
records of entitlement, income or medical history;
(l) “enrolling agency” means an agency appointed by the Authority or a Registrar, as the case
may be, for collecting demographic and biometric information of individuals under this Act;
(m) “enrolment” means the process, as may be specified by regulations, to collect demographic
and biometric information from individuals by the enrolling agencies for the purpose of issuing
Aadhaar numbers to such individuals under this Act;
(n) “identity information” in respect of an individual, includes his Aadhaar number, his biometric
information and his demographic information;
(o) “Member” includes the Chairperson and Member of the Authority appointed under section 12;
(p) “notification” means a notification published in the Official Gazette and the expression
“notified” with its cognate meanings and grammatical variations shall be construed accordingly;
1 [(pa) “offline verification” means the process of verifying the identity of the Aadhaar number
holder without authentication, through such offline modes as may be specified by regulations;
(pb) “offline verification-seeking entity” means any entity desirous of undertaking offline
verification of an Aadhaar number holder;]
(q) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made by the Central Government under this Act;
(r) “records of entitlement ” means records of benefits, subsidies or servi ces provided to, or
availed by, any individual under any programme;
(s) “Registrar” means any entity authorised or recognised by the Authority for the purpose of
enrolling individuals under this Act;
(t) “regulations” means the regulations made by the Authority under this Act;
1. Ins. by Act 14 of 2019, s. 3 (w.e.f. 25-7-2019).
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(u) “requesting entity ” means an agency or person that submits the Aadhaar number, and
demographic information or biometric information, of an individual to the Central Identities Data
Repository for authentication;
(v) “resident” means an individual who has resided in India for a period or periods amounting in
all to one hundred and eighty-two days or more in the twelve months immediately preceding the date
of application for enrolment;
(w) “service” means any provision, facility, utility or any other assistance provided in any form to
an individual or a group of individuals and includes such other services as may be notified by the
Central Government;
(x) “subsidy” means any form of aid, support, grant, subvention, or appropriation, in cash or kind,
to an individual or a group of individuals and includes such other subsidies as may be notified by the
Central Government.
CHAPTER II
ENROLMENT
3. Aadhaar number .—(1) Every resident shall be entitled to obtain an Aadhaar number by
submitting his demographic information and biometric information by undergoing the process of
enrolment:
Provided that the Central Government may, from time to time, notify such other category of
individuals who may be entitled to obtain an Aadhaar number.
(2) The enrolling agency shall, at the time of enrolment, inform the individual undergoing enrolment
of the following details in such manner as may be specified by regulations, namely:—
(a) the manner in which the information shall be used;
(b) the nature of recipients with whom the information is intended to be shared during
authentication; and
(c) the existence of a right to access information, the procedure for making requests for such
access, and details of the person or department in-charge to whom such requests can be made.
(3) On receipt of the demographic information and biometric information under sub -section (1), the
Authority shall, after verifying the information, in such manner as may be specified by regulations, issue
an Aadhaar number to such individual.
1[(4) The Aadhaar number issued to an individual under sub -section ( 3) shall be a twelve -digit
identification number and any alternative virtual identity as an alternative to the actual Aadhaar number
of an individual that shall be generated by the Authority in such manner as may be specified by
regulations.]
2[3A. Aadhaar number of children .—(1) The enrolling agency shall, at the time of enrolment of a
child, seek the consent of the parent or guardian of the child, and inform the parent or guardian, the
details specified under sub-section (2) of section 3.
(2) A child who is an Aadhaar number holder may, within a period of six months of attaining the
eighteen years of age, make an application to the Authority for cancellation o f his Aadhaar number, in
such manner as may be specified by regulations and the Authority shall cancel his Aadhaar number.
(3) Notwithstanding anything in section 7, a child shall not be denied any subsidy, benefit or service
under that section in case of failure to establish his identity by undergoing authentication, or furnishing
1. Ins. by Act 14 of 2019, s. 4 (w.e.f. 25-7-2019).
2. Ins. by s. 5, ibid, (w.e.f. 25-7-2019).
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proof of possession of Aadhaar number, or in the case of a child to whom no Aadhaar number has been
assigned, producing an application for enrolment.]
4. Properties of Aadhaar number.—(1) An Aadhaar number, issued to an individual shall not be re-
assigned to any other individual.
(2) An Aadhaar number shall be a random number and bear no relation to the attributes or identity of
the Aadhaar number holder.
1[(3) Every Aadhaar number holder to establish his identity, may voluntarily use his Aadhaar number
in physical or electronic form by way of authentication or offline verification, or in such other form as
may be notified, in such manner as may be specified by regulations.
Explanation.— For the purposes of this section, voluntary use of the Aadhaar number by way of
authentication means the use of such Aadhaar number only with the informed consent of the Aadhaar
number holder.
(4) An entity may be allowed to perform authentication, if the Authority is satisfied that the requesting
entity is—
(a) compliant with such standards of privacy and security as may be specified by regulations; and
(b) (i) permitted to offer authentication services under the provisions of any other law m ade by
Parliament; or
(ii) seeking authentication for such purpose, as the Central Government in consultation with the
Authority, and in the interest of State, may prescribe.
(5) The Authority may, by regulations, decide whether a requesting entity shall be permitted the use of
the actual Aadhaar number during authentication or only an alternative virtual identity.
(6) Every requesting entity to whom an authentication request is made by an Aadhaar number holder
under sub -section ( 3) shall inform to the Aadh aar number holder of alternate and viable means of
identification and shall not deny any service to him for refusing to, or being unable to, undergo
authentication.
(7) Notwithstanding anything contained in the foregoing provisions, mandatory authenticatio n of an
Aadhaar number holder for the provision of any service shall take place if such authentication is required
by a law made by Parliament.]
5. Special measures for issuance of Aadhaar number to certain category of persons .—The
Authority shall take special measures to issue Aadhaar number to women, children, senior citizens,
persons with disability, unskilled and unorganised workers, nomadic tribes or to such other persons who
do not have any permanent dwelling house and such other categories of individuals as m ay be specified
by regulations.
6. Update of certain information .—The Authority may require Aadhaar number holders to update
their demographic information and biometric information, from time to time, in such manner as may be
specified by regulations, so as to ensure continued accuracy of their information in the Central Identities
Data Repository.
1. Subs. by Act 14 of 2019, s. 6, for Sub-section (3) (w.e.f. 25-7-2019).
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CHAPTER III
AUTHENTICATION
7. Proof of Aadhaar number necessary for receipt of certain subsidies, benefits and services,
etc.—The Central Government or, as the case may be, the State Government may, for the purpose of
establishing identity of an individual as a condition for receipt of a subsidy, benefit or service for which
the expenditure is incurred from, or the receipt therefrom forms part of, the Consolidated Fund of India,
1[or the Consolidated Fund of State] require that such individual undergo authentication, or furnish proof
of possession of Aadhaar number or in the case of an individual to whom no Aadhaar number has been
assigned, such individual makes an application for enrolment:
Provided that if an Aadh aar number is not assigned to an individual, the individual shall be offered
alternate and viable means of identification for delivery of the subsidy, benefit or service.
8. Authentication of Aadhaar number .—(1) The Authority shall perform authentication o f the
Aadhaar number of an Aadhaar number holder submitted by any requesting entity, in relation to his
biometric information or demographic information, subject to such conditions and on payment of such
fees and in such manner as may be specified by regulations.
(2) A requesting entity shall—
(a) unless otherwise provided in this Act, obtain the consent of an individual 2[or in the case of a
child obtain the consent of his parent or guardian] before collecting his identity information for the
purposes of authentication in such manner as may be specified by regulations; and
(b) ensure that the identity information of an individual is only used for submission to the Central
Identities Data Repository for authentication.
2[Provided that the requesting entity shall, in case of failure to authenticate due to illness, injury
or infirmity owing to old age or otherwise or any technical or other reasons, provide such alternate and
viable means of identification of the individual, as may be specified by regulations.]
(3) A requesting entity shall inform, in such manner as may be specified by regulations, the individual
submitting his identity information for authentication 2[or in the case of a child, his parent or guardian] ,
the following details with respect to authentication, namely:—
(a) the nature of information that may be shared upon authentication;
(b) the uses to which the information received during authentication may be put by the requesting
entity; and
(c) alternatives to submission of identity information to the requesting entity.
(4) The Authority shall respond to an authentication query with a positive, negative or any other
appropriate response sharing such identity information excluding any core biometric information.
3[8A. Offline verification of Aadhaar number. —(1) Every offline verification of an Aadhaar
number holder shall be performed in accordance with the provisions of this section.
(2) Every offline verification-seeking entity shall, —
(a) before performing offline verification, obtain the consent of an individual, or in the case of a
child, his parent or guardian, in such manner as may be specified by regulations; and
1. Ins. by Act 14 of 2019, s. 7 (w.e.f. 25-7-2019).
2. Ins. by s. 8, ibid, (w.e.f. 25-7-2019).
3. Ins. by s. 9, ibid, (w.e.f. 25-7-2019).
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(b) ensure that the demographic information or any other information collected from the in dividual
for offline verification is only used for the purpose of such verification.
(3) An offline verification-seeking entity shall inform the individual undergoing offline verification, or
in the case of a child, his parent or guardian, the following de tails with respect to offline verification, in
such manner as may be specified by regulations, namely:—
(a) the nature of information that may be shared upon offline verification;
(b) the uses to which the information received during offline verification m ay be put by the offline
verification-seeking entity; and
(c) alternatives to submission of information requested for, if any.
(4) No offline verification-seeking entity shall—
(a) subject an Aadhaar number holder to authentication;
(b) collect, use, or st ore an Aadhaar number or biometric information of any individual for any
purpose;
(c) take any action contrary to any obligation on it as may be specified by regulations.]
9. Aadhaar number not evidence of citizenship or domicile, etc .—The Aadhaar number or the
authentication thereof shall not, by itself, confer any right of, or be proof of, citizenship or domicile in
respect of an Aadhaar number holder.
10. Central Identities Data Repository .—The Authority may engage one or more entities to
establish and maintain the Central Identities Data Repository and to perform any other functions as may
be specified by regulations.
CHAPTER IV
UNIQUE IDENTIFICATION AUTHORITYOF INIDA
11. Establishment of Authority .—(1) The Central Government shall, by notification, establish an
Authority to be known as the Unique Identification Authority of India to be responsible for the processes
of enrolment and authentication and perform such other functions assigned to it under this Act.
(2) The Authority shall be a body corporate by the name aforesaid, having perpetual succession and a
common seal, with power, subject to the provisions of this Act, to acquire, hold and dispose of property,
both movable and immovable, and to contract, and shall, by the said name, sue or be sued.
(3) The head office of the Authority shall be in New Delhi.
(4) The Authority may, with the prior approval of the Central Government, establish its offices at
other places in India.
12. Composition of Authority .—The Authority shall consist of a Chairperson, appointed on part -
time or full -time basis, two part -time Members, and the chief executive officer who shall be Member -
Secretary of the Authority, to be appointed by the Central Government.
13.Qualifications for appointment of Chairperson and Members of Authority.—The Chairperson
and Members of the Authority shall be persons of ability and integrity having experience and knowledge
of at least ten years in matters relating to technology, governance, law, development, economics, finance,
management, public affairs or administration.
14. Term of office and other conditions of service of Chairperson and Members .—(1) The
Chairperson and the Members appointed under this Act shall hold office for a term of three years from the
date on which they assume office and shall be eligible for re-appointment:
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Provided that no person shall hold office as the Chairperson or Member after he has attained the age
of sixty-five years.
(2) The Chairperson and every Member shall, before entering office, make and subscribe to, an oath
of office and of secrecy, in such form and in such manner and before such Authority as may be
prescribed.
(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the Chairperson or Member may—
(a) relinquish his office, by giving in writing to the Central Government, a notice of not less than
thirty days; or
(b) be removed from his office in accordance with the provisions of section 15.
(4) The salaries and allowances payable to, and the other terms and conditions of service of, the
Chairperson and allowances or remuneration payable to part -time Members shall be such as may be
prescribed.
15. Removal of Chairperson and Members .—(1) The Central Government may remove from
office, the Chairperson, or a Member, who—
(a) is, or at any time has been adjudged as insolvent;
(b) has become physically or mentally incapable of acting as the Chairperson or, as the case may
be, a Member;
(c) has been convicted of an offence which, in the opinion of the Central Government, involves
moral turpitude;
(d) has acquired such financial or other interest as is likely to affect prejudicially his functions as
the Chairperson or, as the case may be, a Member; or
(e) has, in the opinion of the Central Government, so abused his position as to render his
continuance in office detrimental to the public interest.
(2) The Chairperson or a Member shall not be removed under clause ( b), clause ( d) or clause ( e) of
sub-section (1) unless he has been given a reasonable opportunity of being heard.
16. Restrictions on Chairperson or Members on employment after cessation of office .—The
Chairperson or a Member on ceasing to hold office for any reason, shall not, without previous approval of
the Central Government,—
(a) accept any employment in, or be connected with the ma nagement of any organisation,
company or any other entity which has been associated with any work done or contracted out by the
Authority, whether directly or indirectly, during his tenure as Chairperson or Member, as the case
may be, for a period of three years from the date on which he ceases to hold office:
Provided that nothing contained in this clause shall apply to any employment under the Central
Government or a State Government or local authority or in any statutory authority or any corporation
established by or under any Central, State or provincial Act or a Government Company, as defined in
clause (45) of section 2 of the Companies Act, 2013 (18 of 2013);
(b) act, for or on behalf of any person or organisation in connection with any specific proceeding
or transaction or negotiation or a case to which the Authority is a party and with respect to which the
Chairperson or such Member had, before cessation of off ice, acted for or provided advice to, the
Authority;
(c) give advice to any person using information which was obtained in his capacity as the
Chairperson or a Member and being unavailable to or not being able to be made available to the
public; or
(d) enter, for a period of three years from his last day in office, into a contract of service with,
accept an appointment to a board of directors of, or accept an offer of employment with, an entity
with which he had direct and significant official dealings during his term of office.
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17. Functions of Chairperson .—The Chairperson shall preside over the meetings of the Authority,
and without prejudice to any provision of this Act, exercise and discharge such other powers and
functions of the Authority as may be prescribed.
18. Chief executive officer.—(1) There shall be a chief executive officer of the Authority, not below
the rank of Additional Secretary to the Government of India, to be appointed by the Central Government.
(2) The chief executive officer shall be the legal representative of the Authority and shall be
responsible for—
(a) the day-to-day administration of the Authority;
(b) implementing the work programmes and decisions adopted by the Authority;
(c) drawing up of proposal for the Authority's decisions and work programmes;
(d) the preparation of the statement of revenue and expenditure and the execution of the budget of
the Authority; and
(e) performing such other functions, or exercising such other powers, as may be specified by
regulations.
(3) Every year, the chief executive officer shall submit to the Authority for approval—
(a) a general report covering all the activities of the Authority in the previous year;
(b) programmes of work;
(c) the annual accounts for the previous year; and
(d) the budget for the coming year.
(4) The chief executive officer shall have administrative control over the officers and other employees
of the Authority.
19. Meetings of Authority.—(1) The Authority shall meet at such times and places and shall observe
such rules of procedure in regard to the transaction of business at its meetings, including quorum at such
meetings, as may be specified by regulations.
(2) The Chairperson, or, if for any reason, he is unable to attend a meeting of the Authority, the senior
most Member shall preside over the meetings of the Authority.
(3) All questions which come up before any meeting of the Authority shall be decided by a majority
of votes by the Members present and voting and in the event of anequality of votes, the Chairpe rson or in
his absence the presiding Member shall have a casting vote.
(4) All decisions of the Authority shall be signed by the Chairperson or any other Member or the
Member-Secretary authorised by the Authority in this behalf.
(5) If any Member, who is a director of a company and who as such director, has any direct or
indirect pecuniary interest in any manner coming up for consideration at a meeting of the Authority, he
shall, as soon as possible after relevant circumstances have come to his knowledge, d isclose the nature of
his interest at such meeting and such disclosure shall be recorded in the proceedings of the Authority, and
the Member shall not take part in any deliberation or decision of the Authority with respect to that matter.
20. Vacancies, et c., not to invalidate proceedings of Authority .—No act or proceeding of the
Authority shall be invalid merely by reason of—
(a) any vacancy in, or any defect in the constitution of, the Authority;
(b) any defect in the appointment of a person as Chairperson or Member of the Authority; or
(c) any irregularity in the procedure of the Authority not affecting the merits of the case.
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1[21. Officers and other employees of Authority .—(1) The Authority shall appoint such officers and
employees as may be required for the discharge of its functions under this Act.
(2) The salaries and allowances payable to, and the other terms and conditions of service of, the
officers and employees of the Authority shall be such as may be specified by regulations.]
22. Transfer of assets, liabilities of Authority.—On and from the establishment of the Authority—
(a) all the assets and liabilities of the Unique Identification Authority of India, established vide
notification of the Government of India in the Planning Commission number A -43011/02/2009-
Admin. I, dated the 28th January, 2009, shall stand transferred to, and vested in, the Authority.
Explanation.—The assets of such Unique Identification Authority of India shall be deemed to include
all rights and powers, and all properties, whether movable or immovable, including, in particular, cash
balances, deposits and all other interests and rights in, or arising out of, such properties as may be in the
possession of such Unique Identification Authority of India and all books of account and other documents
relating to the same; and liabilities shall be deemed to include all debts, liabilities and obligations of
whatever kind;
(b) without prejudice to the provision s of clause ( a), all data and information collected during
enrolment, all details of authentication performed, debts, obligations and liabilities incurred, all
contracts entered into and all matters and things engaged to be done by, with or for such Unique
Identification Authority of India immediately before that day, for or in connection with the purpose of
the said Unique Identification Authority of India, shall be deemed to have been incurred, entered into
or engaged to be done by, with or for, the Authority;
(c) all sums of money due to the said Unique Identification Authority of India immediately before
that day shall be deemed to be due to the Authority; and
(d) all suits and other legal proceedings instituted or which could have been instituted by or
against such Unique Identification Authority of India immediately before that day may be continued
or may be instituted by or against the Authority.
23. Powers and functions of Authority .—(1) The Authority shall develop the policy, procedure and
systems for issuing Aadhaar numbers to individuals and perform authentication thereof under this Act.
(2) Without prejudice to sub -section ( 1), the powers and functions of the Authority, inter alia ,
include—
(a) specifying, by regulations, demographic information and biometric information required for
enrolment and the processes for collection and verification thereof;
(b) collecting demographic information and biometric information from any individual seeking an
Aadhaar number in such manner as may be specified by regulations;
(c) appointing of one or more entities to operate the Central Identities Data Repository;
(d) generating and assigning Aadhaar numbers to individuals;
(e) performing authentication of Aadhaar numbers;
(f) maintaining and updating the informat ion of individuals in the Central Identities Data
Repository in such manner as may be specified by regulations;
(g) omitting and deactivating of an Aadhaar number and information relating thereto in such
manner as may be specified by regulations;
(h) specifying the manner of use of Aadhaar numbers for the purposes of providing or availing of
various subsidies, benefits, services and other purposes for which Aadhaar numbers may be used;
1. Subs. by Act 14 of 2019, s. 10, for section 21 (w.e.f. 25-7-2019).
13
(i) specifying, by regulations, the terms and conditions for appointment of Registrars, enrolling
agencies and service providers and revocation of appointments thereof;
(j) establishing, operating and maintaining of the Central Identities Data Repository;
(k) sharing, in such manner as may be specified by regulations, the info rmation of Aadhaar
number holders, subject to the provisions of this Act;
(l) calling for information and records, conducting inspections, inquiries and audit of the
operations for the purposes of this Act of the Central Identities Data Repository, Registr ars, enrolling
agencies and other agencies appointed under this Act;
(m) specifying, by regulations, various processes relating to data management, security protocols
and other technology safeguards under this Act;
(n) specifying, by regulations, the conditions and procedures for issuance of new Aadhaar number
to existing Aadhaar number holder;
(o) levying and collecting the fees or authorising the Registrars, enrolling agencies or other
service providers to collect such fees for the services provided by them under this Act in such manner
as may be specified by regulations;
(p) appointing such committees as may be necessary to assist the Authority in discharge of its
functions for the purposes of this Act;
(q) promoting research and development for advancement in biometrics and related areas,
including usage of Aadhaar numbers through appropriate mechanisms;
(r) evolving of, and specifying, by regulations, policies and practices for Registrars, enrolling
agencies and other service providers;
(s) setting up facilitation centres and grievance redressal mechanism for redressal of grievances of
individuals, Registrars, enrolling agencies and other service providers;
(t) such other powers and functions as may be prescribed.
(3) The Authority may,—
(a) enter into Memorandum of Understanding or agreement, as the case may be, with the Central
Government or State Governments or Union territories or other agencies for the purpose of
performing any of the functions in relation to collecting, storing, securi ng or processing of
information or delivery of Aadhaar numbers to individuals or performing authentication;
(b) by notification, appoint such number of Registrars, engage and authorise such agencies to
collect, store, secure, process information or do auth entication or perform such other functions in
relation thereto,
as may be necessary for the purposes of this Act.
(4) The Authority may engage such consultants, advisors and other persons as may be required for
efficient discharge of its functions under th is Act on such allowances or remuneration and terms and
conditions as may be specified by contract.
1[23A. Power of Authority to issue directions. —(1) The Authority may for the discharge of its
functions under this Act, or any rules or regulations made the re under, by order, issue such directions
from time to time to any entity in the Aadhaar ecosystem, as it may consider necessary.
(2) Every direction issued under sub -section (1) shall be complied with by the entity in the Aadhaar
ecosystem to whom such direction is issued.]
1. Ins. by Act 14 of 2019, s. 11 (w.e.f. 25-7-2019).
14
CHAPTER V
GRANTS, ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT AND ANNUAL REPORT
24. Grants by Central Government .—The Central Government may, after due appropriation made
by Parliament by law in this behalf, make to the Authority, grants of such sums of money as the Central
Government may think fit for being utilised for the purposes of this Act.
1[25. Fund.—(1) There shall be constituted a Fund to be called the Unique Identification Authority of
India Fund and there shall be credited thereto—
(a) all grants, fees and charges received by the Authority under this Act; and
(b) all sums received by the Authority from such other sources as may be decided upon by the
Central Government.
(2) The Fund shall be applied for meeting—
(a) the salaries and allowances payable to the Chairperson and members and administrative
expenses including the salaries, allowances and pension payable to or in respect of officers and other
employees of the Authority; and
(b) the expenses on objects and for purposes authorised by this Act.]
26. Accounts and audit .—(1) The Authority shall maintain proper accounts and other relevant
records and pr epare an annual statement of accounts in such form as may be prescribed by the Central
Government in consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India.
(2) The accounts of the Authority shall be audited annually by the Comptroller and Auditor -General
of India at such intervals as may be specified by him and any expenditure incurred in connection with
such audit shall be payable by the Authority to the Comptroller and Auditor-General.
(3) The Comptroller and Auditor -General of India and any pers on appointed by him in connection
with the audit the accounts of the Authority under this Act shall have the same rights and privileges and
authority in connection with such audit as the Comptroller and Auditor -General generally has in
connection with the audit of Government accounts, and in particular, shall have the right to demand
production of books, accounts, connected vouchers and other documents and papers, and to inspect any of
the offices of the Authority.
(4) The accounts of the Authority, as certified by the Comptroller and Auditor -General of India or
any other person appointed by him in this behalf, together with the audit report thereon shall be forwarded
annually to the Central Government by the Authority and the Central Gove rnment shall cause the audit
report to be laid, as soon as may be after it is received, before each House of Parliament.
27. Returns and annual report, etc .—(1) The Authority shall furnish to the Central Government at
such time and in such form and manner as may be prescribed or as the Central Government may direct,
such returns and statements and particulars in regard to any matter under the jurisdiction of the Authority,
as the Central Government may from time to time require.
(2) The Authority shall prepare, once in every year, and in such form and manner and at such time as
may be prescribed, an annual report giving—
(a) a description of all the activities of the Authority for the previous years;
(b) the annual accounts for the previous year; and
(c) the programmes of work for coming year.
(3) A copy of the report received under sub -section (2) shall be laid by the Central Government, as
soon as may be after it is received, before each House of Parliament.
1. Subs. by Act 14 of 2019, s. 12, for section 25 (w.e.f. 25-7-2019).
15
CHAPTER VI
PROTECTIONOF INFORMATION
28. Security and confidentiality of information .—(1) The Authority shall ensure the security of
identity information and authentication records of individuals.
(2) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Authority shall ensure confidentiality of identity
information and authentication records of individuals.
(3) The Authority shall take all necessary measures to ensure that the information in the possession or
control of the Authority, including information stored in the Central Identities Data Repository, is secured
and protected against access, use or disclosure not permitted under this Act or regulations made
thereunder, and against accidental or intentional destruction, loss or damage.
(4) Without prejudice to sub-sections (1) and (2), the Authority shall—
(a) adopt and implement appropriate technical and organisational security measures;
(b) ensure that the agencies, consultants, advisors or other persons appointed or engaged for
performing any function of the Authority under this Act, have in place appropriate technical and
organisational security measures for the information; and
(c) ensure that the agreements or arrangements entered into with such agencies, consultants,
advisors or other persons, impose obligations equivalent to those imposed on the Authority under this
Act, and require such agencies, consultants, advisors and other persons to act only on instructions
from the Authority.
(5) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, and save as
otherwise provided in this Act, the Authority or any of its officers or other employees or any agency that
maintains the Central Identities Data Repository shall not, whether during his service or thereafter, reveal
any information stored in the Central Identities Data Repository or authentication record to anyone:
Provided that an Aadhaar number holder may request the Authority to provide access to his identity
information excluding his core biometric information in such manner as may be specified by regulations.
29. Restriction on sharing information .—(1) No core biometric information, collected or created
under this Act, shall be—
(a) shared with anyone for any reason whatsoever; or
(b) used for any purpose other than generation of Aadhaar numbers and authentication under this
Act.
(2) The identity information, other than core biometric information, collected or created under this
Act may be shared only in accordance with the provisions of this Act and in such manner as may be
specified by regulations.
1[(3) No identity information available with a requesting entity or offline verification -seeking entity
shall be—
(a) used for any purpose, other than the purposes informed in writing to the individual at the time
of submitting any information for authentication or offline verification; or
(b) disclosed for any purpose, other than purposes informed in writing to the individual at the time
of submitting any information for authentication or offline verification:
Provided that the purposes under clauses ( a) and ( b) shall be in clear and precise language
understandable to the individual.]
1. Subs. by Act 14 of 2019, s. 13, for sub-section (3) (w.e.f. 25-7-2019).
16
(4) No Aadhaar number 1[, demographic information or photograph] collected or created under this
Act in respect of an Aadhaar number holder shall be published, displayed or posted publicly, except for
the purposes as may be specified by regulations.
30. Biometric information deemed to be sensitive personal information .—The biometric
information collected and stored in electronic form, in accordance with this Act and regulations made
thereunder, shall be deemed to be “electronic record” and “sensitive personal data or information ”, and
the provisions containeExcerpt shown. Open the full act in Lexace.