The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is exploring a significant overhaul of the Aadhaar card format to enhance privacy protections and prevent widespread misuse of personal details. As per a PTI report, UIDAI is evaluating a proposal to issue Aadhaar cards that feature only the cardholder’s photograph and a secure QR code, removing printed information such as name, address, date of birth, and Aadhaar number.

This potential shift marks one of the biggest design changes since the Aadhaar ecosystem was introduced more than a decade ago, and it aligns with India’s tightening focus on data protection under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA).

Why UIDAI Wants to Remove Printed Details

Offline photocopying remains a major privacy threat

During an online conference focused on an upcoming Aadhaar application, UIDAI CEO Bhuvnesh Kumar highlighted that despite legal restrictions, many organisations still demand photocopies of Aadhaar cards for offline verification.

Kumar noted that the proposed redesign aims to curb these legacy practices, which often expose citizens to data leaks and identity fraud.

“There is a thought process as to why there should be any detail on the card. It should be only a photo and a QR code,”
he said, stressing that visible information on Aadhaar cards makes them vulnerable.
“People who know how to misuse it will keep misusing it.”

Hotels, event organisers, educational institutions, and private offices still frequently ask for Aadhaar photocopies, creating risks of unauthorised data storage and sharing.

How the New Aadhaar Card Would Work

Encrypted QR code for secure, high-speed verification

Under the proposed design, the encrypted QR code will store all essential demographic and biometric-linked details, which can be accessed only by authorised entities using UIDAI’s verification interface.

This approach ensures:

• Faster age verification for services like cinemas, hotels, and events

• No visible personal data, preventing physical misuse

• Stronger compliance with the DPDPA

• Reduced risk of identity theft

UIDAI is expected to formally evaluate the redesign proposal on December 1, opening the door for large-scale rollout in the coming months.

A New Aadhaar App to Replace mAadhaar

Major upgrades, facial authentication, and document updates

Alongside the physical card redesign, UIDAI is also preparing to introduce a next-generation Aadhaar mobile app that will eventually replace mAadhaar.

The new application will allow users to:

• Update address proof documents

• Add family members without mobile phones

• Update mobile numbers using facial authentication

• Enable Aadhaar-based verification for hotels, cinemas, colleges, and other institutions requiring identity or age verification

The platform mirrors the functionality of systems like DigiYatra, enabling seamless, real-time authentication.

Engagement With Banks, Hotels & Fintech Companies

UIDAI recently conducted a joint consultation with banks, hospitality companies, and fintech firms to clarify the new framework and ensure industry readiness as DPDPA becomes fully operational over the next 18 months.

These stakeholders will be required to adopt the upcoming verification framework, especially for offline verification use cases.

Face-Matching + QR Code Verification to Become Mandatory

A new era of privacy-first authentication

UIDAI officials explained that organisations relying on offline Aadhaar checks—classified as OVSEs (Offline Verification Seeking Entities)—will need to integrate with the updated ecosystem.

The new model will combine:

• QR code verification

• Face-matching of the user

This dual-step system will confirm both identity and physical presence, helping eliminate impersonation attempts.

UIDAI aims to fully enforce this model by December 2025, giving institutions adequate time to transition.

Conclusion

UIDAI’s proposed redesign of the Aadhaar card represents a major shift toward privacy-first identity verification in India. By removing printed details and relying solely on a photograph and encrypted QR code, UIDAI is aiming to protect citizens from data misuse, unauthorised photocopying, and identity fraud.

Coupled with the launch of a new Aadhaar mobile app and stricter compliance requirements for offline verification entities, the initiative marks a significant step in aligning the Aadhaar ecosystem with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act. If approved, the new Aadhaar framework will modernise identity verification while dramatically reducing the exposure of sensitive personal information.