We Should And Can Improve Aadhaar

Source: This post is created based on the article ‘We Should And Can Improve Aadhaar’, published in Business Standard on 16^th October 2023.

UPSC syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2, Government policies for various sectors

News: The article discusses the critical analysis provided by Moody’s report on Aadhaar. Government has issued many objections against the report.

The report stated that 17% failure rate in Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AEPS) transactions from 2014-2018 was due to biometric issues, with a total transaction failure rate of 34%.

It also highlights cultural and logistical challenges, such as the reluctance to use iris scanners and the higher cost of these devices.

What are the issues associated with Aadhaar Project?

Biometric authentication, especially fingerprint recognition, is often unreliable for manual laborers whose fingerprints may be unclear due to their work.

This unreliability leads to transaction failures, impacting financial inclusion efforts and the efficient delivery of direct benefit transfers (DBT).

Centralized ID systems like Aadhaar are vulnerable to security breaches, raising privacy concerns. There is a need for continuous improvements in cybersecurity measures, because absence of past breaches doesn’t guarantee future safety.

What are the initiatives launched by government to tackle the issues with aadhaar project?

UIDAI launched the Innovative solutions like face-based authentication, and the use of blockchain technology for secure, privacy-focused authentication in systems like DigiYatra.

These innovations aim to reduce dependency on fingerprint or iris recognition, offering more accessible and culturally acceptable alternatives.

What is the solution?

There is a need for promoting a balanced view of digital identity systems. Challenges should be acknowledged but emphasize should be given to the potential and achievements of Digital India initiative.

Considering India’s vast population and diverse needs, country’s approach to digital identity and security is a work in progress, which requires adaptive strategies and innovations.