Aadhaar: India’s Biometric Identity System and Its Implications for Mobile SIM Linking

Aadhaar: India’s Biometric Identity System and Its Implications for Mobile SIM Linking

Aadhaar, recognized as the world’s largest biometric identity system, encompasses over 1.33 billion individuals in India. It operates through a comprehensive network of Registrars and enrolment agencies, which include various departments from Central and State Governments, public sector enterprises, Scheduled banks, regulated entities, private players, and organizations like CSC e-Governance Services India Limited. This extensive framework facilitates the enrolment and updating of Aadhaar information.

Importantly, linking Aadhaar to mobile SIM cards is not mandatory. There is no requirement for individuals to connect their smartphones to their Aadhaar numbers. Consequently, eligible beneficiaries can access numerous government scheme benefits without needing to link their SIM cards to Aadhaar, ensuring broader accessibility to essential services.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2193
TO BE ANSWERED ON: 12.03.2025

CONNECTION OF SMART PHONES WITH AADHAAR CARDS

Will the Minister of ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

(a) the details of the total Aadhaar numbers issued in the country so far along with their status, State-wise;

(b) whether the Government outsourced help from private players for the issuance of Aadhaar cards;

(c) ) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(d) whether the Government has made it compulsory for all mobile phone users to connect the mobile sim card to Aadhaar card number;

(e) ) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(f) whether the Government is aware of the multiple cases of poor beneficiaries being bereft of the various scheme benefits owing to the non-availability of smartphones that can be linked to Aadhaar; and

(g) if so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon?

ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI JITIN PRASADA)

(a) to (c): Aadhaar is the world’s largest biometric identity system comprising more than 133 crore individuals. The State-wise details isannexed. Enrolment and update of information of an Aadhaar number is done through a network of Registrars and enrolment agencies, consisting of departments of the Central Government and State Governments, public sector enterprises, Scheduled banks and regulated entities including private players, and CSC e- Governance Services India Limited and other special purpose vehicles created by the Central Government or State Governments.

(d) to (g): The use of Aadhaar for issuance of mobile sim is not compulsory. Further, there is also no requirement that a smartphone be linked to Aadhaar. All eligible beneficiaries can avail various Government scheme benefits without linking sim with Aadhaar.

Annexure

Notes:
1. The Aadhaar number figures are adjusted for estimated deaths.
2. The Aadhaar number figures are based on enrolments done in the States based on address recorded in Aadhaar. The figures do not take into account post-enrolment migration.
3. The Aadhaar number figures also include the figures for NRIs and resident foreign nationals enrolled.

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