Aadhaar: Multimedia and raw Aadhaar case study
Description
Aadhaar, India’s unique identification system assigning a twelve-digit ID to every resident, represents one of the largest biometric identity initiatives globally. Launched in 2010 under the leadership of Nandan Nilekani, the system collected biometric data—photographs, fingerprints and iris scans—and by 2017 had enrolled over 1.1 billion people, covering more than 95 percent of the population. Prior to Aadhaar, the absence of a nationally accepted identity system posed significant barriers for individuals, particularly those at the lower end of the economic spectrum, in accessing government benefits and financial services. It also enabled widespread corruption through duplication and ghost beneficiaries in welfare programmes. Aadhaar sought to address these issues by enabling accurate identification, reducing leakages and improving efficiency in service delivery. The system has facilitated savings in government welfare programmes and expanded access to banking and telecommunications services. However, its rapid expansion has raised concerns about data privacy, surveillance and the adequacy of legal safeguards. Debates over linking Aadhaar to financial and tax systems have further highlighted tensions between efficiency gains and individual rights. The study underscores both the transformative potential and the governance challenges associated with large-scale digital identity systems.
Copyright Date
January 2018
Publication Date
1-1-2018
Publisher
Yale School of Management
Keywords
Aadhaar, National identity system, Social welfare, Social security
Source Link URL
https://som.yale.edu/case/2018/aadhaar
