An Aadhaar is a 12-digit distinct identification number assigned to every Indian citizen based on their demographic and biometric data. The Aadhar number is issued and governed by the UIDAI -Unique Identification Authority of India. It supports in providing a well-ordered and transparent monitoring and governance by removing unprincipled practices and corruption to some extent. This is because every resident is being given a unique identification number. Knowing the increasing importance of Aadhaar and the introduction of various government programs today, Aadhaar has become the most popular and unique digital mode of identification.
Scope of an Aadhaar Card
Aadhaar is usually used to get and validate the details of an individual who desires to obtain the government subsidy. If you do not have your Aadhar card, government-based subsidies together with the related services will not be provided to you. An important point to note here is that Aadhaar cannot be treated as proof of citizenship. At the time of Aadhaar enrolment, you as an applicant will be notified about your right to have access to the data or information, various ways in which the data or the information will be utilized together with the nature of receivers with whom the data will be shared with.
What Aadhaar Acts says?
According to the Aadhaar Act of 2016, residents in India are entitled to apply for an Aadhaar card. A “resident” is defined as a person living in the country for 182 days or more in the previous year from the aadhaar enrolment date. You need to just fill up the Aadhaar Enrolment Form that is made available on the official website of UIDAI. Then you need to visit any nearest aadhaar enrolment centre and submit the same with other documents as specified by UIDAI.
Aadhaar Documents
For Aadhaar enrolment, there is a certain set of documents that you need to submit as proof of your identity as well as residence. On the other hand, UIDAI recognizes the fact that not everyone has documents substantiating their address always. Therefore, UIDAI has introduced the concept of an “Introducer” and here we will take you through the various aspects of an “Introducer” and understand how to apply for aadhaar card without address proof
The type of enrolment can be broadly categorized into three segments mainly mentioned below and you would need a specific set of documents under each type.
You can enroll for Aadhaar by providing a valid Proof of Identity or PoI and a valid Proof of Address or PoA as per the list of acceptable documents available on the enrolment form or UIDAI
How to apply for Aadhaar without documents?
The two categories will come under when you do not have any documents. Let us see the same in detail.
For enrolment of the family members where documents for individuals are not available, however, the enrolment can still be done by furnishing the following details as :
HoF based enrolment provided the individual’s name is existing in the family entitlement document like a ration card etc. The head of the family then will be allowed to introduce other members who are not having the documents in the family while they are enrolling, as per UIDAI. The HoF must also have his or her original identity and address proof and he must take along with him the family member who wants to apply for an Aadhaar card to the enrolment centre.
The family member applying for the Aadhaar card through the HoF must have proof of relationship with the HoF or PoR document. PoR documents must have the applicant’s name and HoF. As per UIDAI, the following is the list of valid documents as proof of relationship:
If you do not have the required supporting documents to prove your identity and address as mentioned above, then you are allowed to enroll yourself by introducer based aadhaar card enrolment. These ‘Introducers’ are certified officials who are appointed by the registrars. We will study in detail this concept below.
Overview of the “Introducer” concept
An Aadhaar introducer is a person acknowledged and certified by the registrar or the regional office of UIDAI. The particulars of the introducer with his basic details, residing address and Aadhaar data are registered in UIDAI’s CIDR -Central Identities Data Repository. Introducer based aadhar card has been designed keeping in mind the ordinary people who may not have the necessary documents as required to obtain an Aadhaar. In a few cases, the UIDAI Regional Office may take an initiative itself to identify a group of Introducers for the ease of the Registrars.
The introducer’s main job is to introduce an individual to UIDAI during Aadhaar enrolment who do not possess any proof of identity or POI or proof of address or POA. An introducer works under the governance of the registrar who has selected him. The role of the introducer is restricted only to that rea or zone for which he is appointed by the registrar in the respective jurisdiction. Additionally, a Registrar may limit the actions of an Introducer by organizational boundaries at a State or a district level. In case the other registrars also advise the same introducer, he or she can introduce people in other permitted provinces as well. An important point to note here is that this introduction does not mean providing a character certificate to the resident and is just a way by which the person can be identified to have a valid identity and address proof. The Introducers can be the following individuals as per UIDAI:
The below information or data are usually captured at the time of introducer based aadhar card enrolment:
Eligibility criteria of an “Introducer”
Now that you have understood the concept of an introducer based aadhar card, let us see the eligibility criteria as to when an individual can be an introducer for UIDAI. Not everyone can act as an Introducer and hence to be qualified or to be recognized as an introducer, you need to meet certain criteria. The list of those conditions is mentioned as below:
Responsibilities of an introducer under the concept of introducer based aadhar card
Once the Registrar identifies zone-wise introducers at a District or a State level in which the Introducer is sanctioned to work, he will intimate the Introducers. Let us now see and understand the Responsibilities of an introducer which can be listed as below:
Liabilities of an introducer in introducer based aadhaar card
There are certain liabilities of an introducer which he must take care of and they are:
Importance of having an “Introducer”
The concept of introducer has been brought on the line of thought, that, if someone is not having proof of identity as well as any proof of residence, but still wants to enrol himself or herself for an aadhaar, he or she can go ahead and do so by way of an Introducer. An introducer is a completely different person who will be a 3rd party and therefore will endorse the aadhaar applicant fully and completely by doing the necessary due diligence. Therefore, it becomes an easy task for the aadhaar applicant to enrol for aadhaar.
Strengths and Drawback of an “Introducer”:
Points to remember
Certain important points to remember are:
Now, that you know that UIDAI has also given the facility of introducer based aadhar card in absence of any documents, go ahead and enroll for the aadhaar card at the earliest and enjoy the benefits under Aadhaar.
Yes, Registrars have the right to add or remove as well as to modify the Introducers together with the area of operation of an Introducer. UIDAI boosts Registrars to evaluate the performance of Introducers on a regular basis and make changes if needed.
Registrar is an entity sanctioned by the UID Authority for enrolling the individuals for Aadhaar. Registrars are characteristically sections or agencies of the State Government or the Union territory, public sector undertakings and further agencies and establishments, who intermingle with the residents in the regular course of application of their agendas, events or operations.
No, you need to be present physically at the time of placing the request for an introducer based aadhar card.