Do Indians Really Need a SMART Aadhaar Card?

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) cautions people not to fall to ploys of some unscrupulous entities who are charging anywhere between Rs. 50 to Rs. 200 for printing Aadhaar on a plastic card in the name of smart card.

Aadhaar is a 12-digit individual identification number issued by UIDAI on behalf of the Government of India. This number serves as a proof of identity and address, anywhere in India.

UIDAI informed Monday that the Aadhaar letter or its cutaway portion or downloaded version of Aadhaar on ordinary paper is perfectly valid.

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According to UIDAI, some entities have also been charging far more for simply laminating the downloaded version of Aadhaar.

“The Aadhaar card or the downloaded Aadhaar card printed on ordinary paper is perfectly valid for all uses. If a person has a paper Aadhaar card, there is absolutely no need to get his / her Aadhaar card laminated or obtain a plastic Aadhaar card or so called SMART Aadhaar card by paying money. There is no concept such as smart Aadhaar card,” said director general & mission director of UIDAI, Dr. Ajay Bhushan Pandey.

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In case a person loses their Aadhaar card, they can download it free of cost. The printout of the downloaded Aadhaar, even in black and white form, is as valid as the original Aadhaar letter sent by UIDAI. There is absolutely no need to print it on plastic card or get it laminated.

In case a person still wants to get their Aadhaar card laminated or printed on plastic card, they may do so only at authorized Common Service Centres or Aadhaar Permanent Enrolment Centres by paying no more than the prescribed rate, which is not more than Rs. 30.

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The public for protection of their privacy are advised not to share their Aadhaar number or personal details to unauthorized agencies for getting it laminated, or printed on plastic card.

UIDAI also advises e-commerce companies such E-bay, Flipkart, Amazon, etc. not to allow their merchants to collect Aadhaar information from general public for printing Aadhaar card.

Photo courtesy: UIDAI