In News:

The government has introduced the Aadhaar Governance Portal, a new initiative developed by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). This platform is designed to streamline the approval process for Aadhaar authentication requests and further enhance citizen services.

Key Features:

• Simplified Authentication Process: The portal offers a step-by-step guide to help both government and private entities apply for Aadhaar authentication. It aims to improve the overall delivery of services, reducing administrative delays.
• Seamless Onboarding: Entities can now access detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for onboarding Aadhaar authentication services. The portal serves as a comprehensive resource for entities seeking authentication approval.
• Wide Applications Across Sectors: The portal will be used for Aadhaar authentication in multiple sectors, including healthcare, education, e-commerce, and hospitality. It enables citizens to access essential services with ease.
• Face Authentication: The integration of face authentication in customer-facing applications will allow for anytime, anywhere authentication, enhancing the flexibility and accessibility of services.

Impact on Governance:

This initiative comes as part of the government's broader agenda to support good governance through technology and improve the delivery of welfare services. The new rules, introduced under the Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance (Social Welfare, Innovation, Knowledge) Rules, 2025, aim to enhance service delivery and simplify processes for both citizens and service providers.

Role of Aadhaar:

Aadhaar, a 12-digit unique identification number, serves as proof of identity linked to an individual’s biometric and demographic information. Launched by UIDAI in 2009, Aadhaar has become integral to the delivery of government services and is now widely used by private entities for identification purposes.

With its ability to ensure verified identities, Aadhaar is crucial for streamlining processes in sectors ranging from welfare distribution to digital banking.