New Delhi, December 8, 2025 – In a significant move to safeguard citizens' privacy and eliminate unauthorized handling of sensitive identification documents, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is set to enforce a new regulation requiring hotels, event organizers, and other establishments to register with the authority before conducting offline Aadhaar verifications. The rule, approved and slated for official notification in the coming days, aims to phase out the widespread practice of collecting and storing physical photocopies of Aadhaar cards, which has long been in violation of the Aadhaar Act.
The initiative comes amid growing concerns over data breaches and identity fraud, where photocopied Aadhaar details have been exploited for fraudulent activities. Under the forthcoming framework, entities seeking to verify identities through Aadhaar—such as hotels checking guest credentials or event venues validating attendee information—will need to formally register with UIDAI. This registration will grant them access to a secure application programming interface (API) enabling QR code-based and app-driven authentication, ensuring no physical copies are retained.
UIDAI CEO Bhuvnesh Kumar emphasized the urgency of the measure, stating, “The objective is to discourage paper-based Aadhaar verification.” He further highlighted the privacy benefits, noting that the new system will “enhance offline verification without the use of paper while maintaining privacy of users or any risk of their Aadhaar data getting leaked for misuse.”
The regulation addresses multiple pain points in the current verification ecosystem. Currently, intermediary servers often experience downtime, disrupting connections to the central Aadhaar database and forcing reliance on insecure paper methods. The updated process introduces offline capabilities through a beta-tested Aadhaar app, allowing "app-to-app" verifications without real-time database pings. This app will be particularly useful in high-traffic areas like airports and retail outlets selling age-restricted products, where seamless checks are crucial.
In addition to verification, the app will empower users to update address proofs and link family members—even those without personal mobile devices—to the platform, broadening accessibility. UIDAI officials underscored that these enhancements align with the impending full rollout of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, expected within the next 18 months, which will impose stricter norms on data handling.
The move builds on UIDAI's ongoing efforts to fortify Aadhaar's integrity. Earlier this year, the authority deactivated over 20 million Aadhaar numbers linked to deceased individuals to prevent welfare benefit misuse, and introduced real-time document checks to thwart fake issuances. However, persistent offline practices by private entities have remained a vulnerability, with instances of photocopies being used for unauthorized employment, travel, and even immigration fraud.
Industry stakeholders have welcomed the changes, though some smaller establishments expressed concerns over the registration process and adaptation costs. A representative from the Hotel Association of India commented anonymously that while the digital shift is "inevitable for compliance," training staff on QR scanning could pose short-term challenges. UIDAI has assured that the registration will be streamlined via an online portal, with technical support for integration.
As India advances toward a fully digital identity ecosystem, this rule represents a pivotal step in balancing convenience with security. Non-compliance could attract penalties under the Aadhaar Act, including fines up to ₹10,000 for first offenses and higher for repeats, signaling UIDAI's zero-tolerance stance on data misuse.
UIDAI has not yet announced an exact notification date but urged entities to prepare for the transition. For more details on registration, visit the official UIDAI website.
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