'mAadhaar' App Launched For Android Users. Details Here

In a further push towards the 'Digital India' initiative, "mAadhaar" (a mobile-based interface) has been launched. The app developed by Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) will carry demographic information like name, date of birth, gender and address along with the user's photograph and is linked with one's Aadhaar number. The app is currently available for Android users only. "LAUNCHING #mAadhaar- Carry your Aadhaar on your Mobile. The android app from UIDAI is now available on Google Play," a tweet from Aadhaar's verified account stated.

 

LAUNCHING #mAadhaar- Carry your Aadhaar on your Mobile. The android app from UIDAI is now available on Google Play: https://t.co/6o4DdtWs3B pic.twitter.com/Adogx35hRk

— Aadhaar (@UIDAI) July 18, 2017

However, this is a beta version of the app and some of the services will only be applicable after subsequent updates.

The app comes with a biometric locking/unlocking feature to secure the personal data. Once a user enables the locking system, the app remains locked till he/she chooses to either Unlock it (which is temporary) or disable the locking system. It also has a "TOTP generation" (Time-based One-Time Password) process which can be used instead of SMS based OTP.

Users can update their profiles too but only after successful completion of the request. To use the "mAadhaar" app, a registered mobile number is a must. In case your mobile number is not registered, visit the nearest Aadhaar Enrolment Centre/Mobile Update End Point. QR code facility and password protected eKYC data are some additional features provided in the app.

From July 1, PAN-Aadhaar linking had been made mandatory for filing income tax returns (ITRs) and obtaining a new Permanent Account Number (PAN). While Aadhaar is issued by the UIDAI to a resident of India, PAN is a 10-digit alphanumeric number allotted by the Income Tax department to a person, firm or entity. The tax department has in the past few months used multiple platforms to ensure linking of Aadhaar with PAN by assessees.