UIDAI rolls out new security mechanism for robust fingerprint based Aadhaar authentication

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), which is part of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, has successfully implemented a new security mechanism for Aadhaar-based fingerprint authentication, as well as speedier detection of spoofing attempts.

The in-house developed artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML)-based security mechanism now checks the liveness of the obtained finger print utilising a combination of finger minutia and finger picture. This strengthens and secures Aadhaar authentication transactions.

The new two factor/layer authentication is adding add-on checks to validate the genuineness (liveness) of the fingerprint so as to further cut down the chances of spoofing attempts.

The change will be extremely beneficial in industries such as banking and finance, telecommunications, and government. It would also benefit the bottom of the pyramid by strengthening the Aadhaar-enabled payment system and discouraging harmful attempts by unscrupulous people.

The new Aadhaar-based fingerprint authentication security system is now fully operational. The roll out and migration occurred after months of planning and coordination by UIDAI with its partners and user agencies.

UIDAI maintained continual engagement and due diligence with authentication user agencies (AUAs) to persuade AUAs/Sub AUAs of the benefits of the new modalities. AUA is an entity that provides Aadhaar-enabled services to Aadhaar number holders by utilising authentication services provided by the authentication service agency. Sub AUAs are agencies that enable their services through an existing requesting organisation using Aadhaar authentication. UIDAI has extended gratitude to all AUAs/Sub AUAs for their assistance and cooperation.

With the new system in place, only finger image or only finger minutiae based Aadhaar authentication has given way to the robust two factor authentication – a win-win for all stake holders.

The UIDAI head office and its regional offices are in touch with all entities for facilitating any user agency (that may not have migrated yet) to switch over to the new secured authentication mode at the earliest.

The adoption of Aadhaar based authentication transactions has been witnessing an upward trend as it has proved to be a facilitator in availing several welfare benefits and services. By the end of December 2022, cumulative number of Aadhaar authentication transactions had crossed 88.29 billion and clocking an average per day transactions of 70 million. A majority of them are fingerprint-based authentications, indicative of its usage and utility in daily lives.