Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology addressed concerns raised in Lok Sabha regarding the issuance of Aadhaar cards to unauthorized foreign nationals. The response details the eligibility criteria for Aadhaar enrolment, the measures in place to prevent unauthorized enrolment, and the validation processes for foreign nationals. Recent implementations focus on restricting enrolments, verifying documentation, and differentiating Aadhaar cards issued to foreign nationals.
Key Points / Main Content:
Eligibility for Aadhaar Enrolment:
* Individuals residing in India for at least 182 days in the preceding 12 months are eligible for Aadhaar enrolment.
* Enrolment requires biometric data (face, fingerprints, iris scan) and demographic details (name, date of birth, gender, address), supported by relevant documents.
Enrolment Process and Network:
* Aadhaar enrolment is conducted through a network of UIDAI-authorized Registrars and enrolment agencies.
* These include Central and State Government departments, public sector enterprises, scheduled banks, and regulated entities.
Measures to Prevent Unauthorized Enrolment:
* Aadhaar enrolments for foreign nationals are restricted to designated Aadhaar enrolment centers.
* Enrolment requests from foreign nationals (excluding Nepal and Bhutan) are forwarded to the Bureau of Immigration (BOI) for passport and visa verification. Aadhaar is generated only after BOI verification.
* Adult enrolment requests from nationals of Nepal and Bhutan are sent to respective States/UTs for verification, with Aadhaar generation contingent upon confirmation.
* Aadhaar issued to foreign nationals is valid only for the duration of their visa, except for OCI card holders and nationals of Nepal and Bhutan (valid for ten years).
* Aadhaar letters and PVC cards issued to foreign nationals include the phrase "foreigner enrolled as a Resident" for clear identification.
* Visibly distinct Aadhaar cards and letters are issued to foreign nationals for easy identification.
Impact Analysis:
UIDAI Authorized Registrars and Enrolment Agencies:
* Impact: Need to adhere to the updated enrolment processes and restrictions for foreign nationals, ensuring compliance with verification procedures.
* Action Required: Implement the new protocols for foreign national enrolments, including utilizing designated enrolment centers and adhering to verification workflows.
Bureau of Immigration (BOI):
* Impact: Responsible for verifying passport and visa details for foreign nationals (excluding Nepal and Bhutan) applying for Aadhaar.
* Action Required: Efficiently verify details and communicate the verification status to UIDAI to facilitate Aadhaar generation.
States/UTs Authorities:
* Impact: Responsible for verifying adult enrolment requests from nationals of Nepal and Bhutan.
* Action Required: Conduct timely verification and provide confirmation to facilitate Aadhaar generation.
Foreign Nationals (excluding Nepal and Bhutan):
* Impact: Subject to stricter enrolment procedures including designated centers and BOI verification. Aadhaar validity is tied to visa duration.
* Action Required: Enroll at designated centers and ensure all required documents (passport, visa) are available for verification.
Nationals of Nepal and Bhutan:
* Impact: Enrolment requests are subject to verification by respective States/UTs. Aadhaar is valid for ten years.
* Action Required: Comply with the verification process of the respective States/UTs where enrolment is sought.
Key Entities Referenced
Aadhaar: A 12-digit individual identification number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology: The Indian government ministry responsible for IT policy, development of the electronics industry, and promotion of e-governance.
Aadhaar Act, 2016: The law that provides the legal basis for the Aadhaar number in India.
Bureau of Immigration: An agency responsible for immigration control in India.
Nepal: A country bordering India, whose citizens have specific provisions regarding Aadhaar enrolment.
Bhutan: A country bordering India, whose citizens have specific provisions regarding Aadhaar enrolment.
OCI card holders: Overseas Citizen of India cardholders, a form of Indian identity available to people of Indian origin.
SHRI JITIN PRASADA: Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1640
TO BE ANSWERED ON: 30.07.2025
ISSUE OF AADHAAR CARDS TO UNAUTHORISED FOREIGN NATIONALS
1640. SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:
SHRI MANISH JAISWAL:
Will the Minister of ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:
(a) whether a large number of Aadhaar cards are being issued to unauthorised foreign nationals in the
country allowing them to access to citizenship linked documents and government welfare schemes and if
so, the details thereof;
(b) whether outsourced Aadhaar enrolment service centres such as third party vendors are primarily
responsible for issuance of Aadhaar card to unauthorised/illegal foreign nationals;
(c) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government to stop these third party vendors and
switch to the in-house model of enrolment in the country;
(d) whether the Government has directed the concerned authority to conduct a monthly audit exercise to
plug up the loopholes in issuance of Aadhaar card to illegal foreign nationals/unauthorised persons; and
(e) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government in this regard?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI JITIN PRASADA)
(a) to (e): Aadhar enrolment: As per the Aadhaar Act, 2016, a person who has resided in India for a
period of 182 days or more in the last 12 months is eligible for Aadhaar enrolment. An applicant can enroll
for Aadhaar by providing three biometric attributes – face, fingerprints and iris scan along with demographic
details such as name, date of birth, gender and address, supported by relevant documents.
Enrolment for Aadhaar number is carried out through a network of UIDAI authorised Registrars and
enrolment agencies. These include departments of the Central and State Governments, public sector
enterprises, scheduled banks and other regulated entities.
Aadhar enrolment system is reviewed from time to time, and necessary policy and technological measures
are undertaken to strengthen the process.
Following measures have been recently implemented to ensure that no unauthorised foreign national is
issued an Aadhaar number:
• Aadhaar enrolments for foreign nationals is restricted to designated Aadhaar enrolment centres only.
• All enrolment requests from resident foreign nationals (except the nationals of Nepal and Bhutan) are
forwarded to Bureau of Immigration (BOI) for verification of passport and visa details. Aadhaar is
generated only after verification of details from BOI.• All adult enrolment requests received from the nationals of Nepal/Bhutan are sent to respective
States/UTs for verification. Aadhaar is generated only upon receipt of confirmation from the concerned
State/UT authorities.
• Aadhaar issued to foreign nationals is valid only for the duration of their visa. In case of OCI card
holders and nationals of Nepal and Bhutan, the Aadhaar is valid for a period of ten years.
• To distinctly identify Aadhaar numbers issued to foreign nationals, the phrase “foreigner enrolled as a
Resident” is incorporated on such Aadhaar letters and PVC cards.
• Visibly distinct Aadhaar cards and letters are issued to foreign nationals to facilitate easy identification.
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