PAC Flags Aadhaar Biometric Verification Failure, Seeks Review, Pg13

Key Highlights:

• PAC highlighted the high rate of Aadhaar biometric verification failures, affecting access to food and job schemes.
• Committee chaired by K.C. Venugopal reviewed findings from the CAG’s 2021 report and heard testimonies from UIDAI and Ministry of Electronics and IT.
• Failures are common among manual labourers (fingerprint issues) and the elderly (iris mismatch).
• UIDAI claimed it is upgrading systems but admitted that data leaks originated at enrolment centres.
• MPs also raised concerns over duplicate Aadhaar entries and delayed deactivation of deceased individuals' cards.
• The issue has cross-party concern due to its impact on the most vulnerable sections.

Detailed Insights:

• Aadhaar biometric failure is a systemic barrier in accessing government entitlements such as PDS rations, MNREGA wages, pensions, etc.
• Physical wear and ageing degrade biometric identifiers like fingerprints and iris scans, causing authentication mismatches.
• UIDAI’s assurance of technological upgrades has not sufficiently addressed exclusion and grievance redressal.
• The CAG’s audit report (2021) highlighted multiple governance and oversight deficiencies in UIDAI’s functioning.
• The risk of data duplication and identity fraud persists due to weak processes for updating and deactivating Aadhaar records.
• PAC’s observations reflect the increasing need for alternate authentication mechanisms and manual override provisions.

Way Forward:

• Introduce alternative authentication methods (e.g., OTP, facial recognition, manual ID checks) to prevent exclusion.
• Strengthen grievance redressal mechanisms for beneficiaries facing authentication failures.
• Improve data de-duplication and death registration to deactivate inactive or fraudulent Aadhaar numbers.
• Enhance transparency and accountability in enrolment centres to prevent data leaks.
• Conduct regular audits of UIDAI systems and authentication failures to guide corrective action.
• Ensure better outreach and education to inform citizens about options available during biometric failures.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• Biometric Authentication: A method of identity verification using unique physical characteristics like fingerprints and iris patterns.
• UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India): Statutory authority under MEITY responsible for implementing Aadhaar.
• Authentication Failure: When biometric or demographic data fails to match records in UIDAI’s central database.
• Data Duplication: Occurs when multiple Aadhaar numbers exist for the same individual or deceased persons remain active in the database.

Mains Mock Question:

Q. Aadhaar biometric authentication was meant to ensure targeted delivery of benefits, but it has often resulted in exclusion. Elucidate.