India
Although it is in early stages, India’s ambitious Universal ID (UID) program is already the largest biometric identification program in the world with more than 200 million people enrolled and a target of 1.2 billion. By providing a unique number—Aadhaar, meaning “foundation”—to each resident, India seeks to extend government services to marginalized groups, reduce fraud and corruption, ensure credible elections, and improve security2.
Lack of official identity promotes a cycle of poverty and societal exclusion for many individuals in the developing world. Robust national identification systems are necessary for social, political, and economic development, and they can strengthen aid delivery. India’s UID program is testing a unique model against the challenge of a very large population. It has already provided some important lessons and will offer more in the future, especially as the number of applications using the UID increases. Ultimately, the success of any national ID program—biometric or not—depends more on processes than on technologies.
UID’s data suggest that iris scans are far more inclusive than fingerprints, especially when applied to poor populations engaged in heavy manual labor1.
More at:
Building a Biometric National ID
Case Study on the Use of Smartcards to Deliver Government Benefits in Andhra Pradesh, India
Fingerprint attendance for health dept officers
Identifying a billion Indians
India boldly takes biometrics where no country has gone before
India’s identity revolution
Kerala scores a first, issues biometric ID cards for fishermen
Money where your mouth is
Performance Lessons from India’s Universal Identification Program
Reform by numbers
Role of Biometric Technology in Aadhaar Enrollment
Role of Biometric Technology in Aadhaar Enrollment (pdf)
Role of Biometric Technology in Aadhaar Authentication Authentication Accuracy –Report Date: 27 March 2012
Role of Biometric Technology in Aadhaar Authentication IRIS Authentication Accuracy – PoC Report Date: 14 September 2012
The Evolution of India’s UID ProgramLessons Learned and Implications for Other Developing Countries
The magic number
What is Aadhaar?
Footnotes:
Although it is in early stages, India’s ambitious Universal ID (UID) program is already the largest biometric identification program in the world with more than 200 million people enrolled and a target of 1.2 billion. By providing a unique number—Aadhaar, meaning “foundation”—to each resident, India seeks to extend government services to marginalized groups, reduce fraud and corruption, ensure credible elections, and improve security2.
Lack of official identity promotes a cycle of poverty and societal exclusion for many individuals in the developing world. Robust national identification systems are necessary for social, political, and economic development, and they can strengthen aid delivery. India’s UID program is testing a unique model against the challenge of a very large population. It has already provided some important lessons and will offer more in the future, especially as the number of applications using the UID increases. Ultimately, the success of any national ID program—biometric or not—depends more on processes than on technologies.
UID’s data suggest that iris scans are far more inclusive than fingerprints, especially when applied to poor populations engaged in heavy manual labor1.
More at:
Building a Biometric National ID
Case Study on the Use of Smartcards to Deliver Government Benefits in Andhra Pradesh, India
Fingerprint attendance for health dept officers
Identifying a billion Indians
India boldly takes biometrics where no country has gone before
India’s identity revolution
Kerala scores a first, issues biometric ID cards for fishermen
Money where your mouth is
Performance Lessons from India’s Universal Identification Program
Reform by numbers
Role of Biometric Technology in Aadhaar Enrollment
Role of Biometric Technology in Aadhaar Enrollment (pdf)
Role of Biometric Technology in Aadhaar Authentication Authentication Accuracy –Report Date: 27 March 2012
Role of Biometric Technology in Aadhaar Authentication IRIS Authentication Accuracy – PoC Report Date: 14 September 2012
The Evolution of India’s UID ProgramLessons Learned and Implications for Other Developing Countries
The magic number
What is Aadhaar?
Footnotes: