Scheme for Innovation and Technology Association with Aadhaar

  • 18 Oct 2025

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In News:

  • The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has launched the Scheme for Innovation and Technology Association with Aadhaar (SITAA) to advance India's digital identity framework and safeguard Aadhaar against evolving cyber threats, particularly AI-driven deepfakes, spoofing, and biometric fraud.
  • The initiative reflects India's objective to build secure, scalable, indigenous, and globally benchmarked identity solutions, aligning with the broader vision of Digital Public Infrastructure and Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Key Objectives

  • Strengthen the security and reliability of Aadhaar authentication.
  • Develop cutting-edge biometric and AI-based security technologies.
  • Foster collaboration among startups, academia, and industry for co-development.
  • Encourage indigenization of identity-tech solutions.
  • Build future-ready digital identity systems capable of countering emerging threats.

Strategic Partnerships

To operationalize the programme, UIDAI has partnered with:

  • MeitY Startup Hub (MSH) – for technical mentoring, incubation and accelerator support.
  • NASSCOM – for industry linkages, global outreach, and entrepreneurship support.

Pilot Phase Focus Areas

The SITAA pilot has launched three innovation challenges open to eligible startups, research institutions, and industry partners (applications open till 15 November 2025):

Challenge

Objective

Key Requirements

Face Liveness Detection

Prevent spoofing in face-based authentication

SDK for passive/active liveness; detect photos, videos, masks, morphs, deepfakes; work across devices/environments; edge + server capability

Presentation Attack Detection (PAD)

Enhance AI/ML-based face authentication resilience

Real-time PAD for print, replay, morphs, masks, deepfakes; privacy-compliant; scalable; interoperable with Aadhaar APIs

Contactless Fingerprint Authentication

Enable mobile-based fingerprint verification

Capture fingerprint via smartphone/low-cost devices; spoof detection; AFIS-compliant templates; demo app & QC tool required

Why SITAA Matters

  • Deepfake threat escalation: Attempts to bypass biometric security demand next-gen AI counter-measures.
  • Contactless biometrics: Essential in post-pandemic authentication models and mobile-first delivery.
  • Demographic and environmental variability: Aadhaar works across diverse conditions and populations, making robust tech essential.
  • Strengthening trust in India’s digital public infrastructure systems like Aadhaar, UPI, DigiLocker, and ABHA.

Technological Focus Areas

  • Advanced biometrics (face, fingerprint)
  • AI-driven liveness and spoof detection
  • Privacy-preserving authentication methods
  • Secure digital identity frameworks
  • Mobile-first biometric solutions