Multipurpose National Identity Card (MPNIC)

News:Union Home Minister has said that India could have a single multi purpose unique card that will serve as an identity card and double up as a voter card, PAN and even a passport.

Facts:

About Multipurpose National ID Card (MPNIC)

• MPNIC was first suggested by a 2001 report on “Reforming the National Security System” by the empowered Group of Ministers(GOM) during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government.
• The Group of Ministers(GOM) report had recommended MPNIC in relation to the growing threat from illegal migration.

What did the GOM report said?

• The report has said that there should be compulsory registration of citizens and non-citizens living in India.This will facilitate the preparation of a national register of citizens. 
• All citizens should be given a Multi-Purpose National Identity Card (MPNIC) and non-citizens should be issued identity cards of a different colour and design. 
• This should be introduced initially in the border districts or maybe in a 20 Kms border belt and extended to the hinterland progressively.

Is Government planning to introduce multi purpose identity card?

• The government has clarified that there is no specific scheme that they are planning to introduce. 
• But the government would want to link various databases if it intends to create a card that works as a single point of access to various accounts held by an individual.
• Further,the government is also expected to launch the National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) by the start of 2020.

Additional information:

About NATGRID:

• NATGRID is an integrated intelligence grid connecting databases of core security agencies to collect comprehensive patterns of intelligence that can be readily accessed by intelligence agencies.
• Under NATGRID,21 sets of databases will be networked to achieve quick, seamless and secure access to desired information for intelligence/enforcement agencies.
• The database would be accessible to authorised persons from 11 agencies on a case to case basis and only for professional investigations into suspected cases of terrorism.
• It will utilize technologies like Big Data and analytics to study and analyze the huge amounts of data from various intelligence and enforcement agencies to help track suspected terrorists and prevent terrorist attacks.