The system would contain one large database, comprising the unique identification number of one billion plus population.
A committee will decide on the set of biometrics in issuing the unique identification numbers, head of the ambitious project Nandan Nilekani today said.
The numbers would be unique and accorded to an individual based on a set or combination of his unique biometrics and would carry minimalistic demographic information relating to his name and address, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) chairman said.
Addressing the platinum jubilee meeting of the Indian Academy of Sciences here, he said a biometric committee would decide on the combination of biometrics that would be used to decide the number. It could be a combination of fingerprints of all 10 fingers, an iris scan and a facial photo.
The system would contain one large database, comprising the unique identification number of one billion plus population. "It would not entitle the holder to any rights of entitlements nor be a proof of his citizenship or nationality," he clarified, adding it would provide no additional information on his income, caste or religion.
UIDAI will authenticate IDs online. A bank and a service provider could check an individual's name by asking him to log his fingerprint and other biometrics and connecting it to the master database that would verify whether the person is who he claims to be.
The first rollout is expected to take place next year and 600 million people would be covered in five-and-a-half years, he said.
Any effort by an individual to duplicate his identity would be shown in the master database, said Nilekani. It aims at being an open access platform that could be embedded into any business platform, he said, adding that the respective organisations like passport offices, PDS system would have to do local checks for additional information.
"The identity issue would be the only focus of the UIDAI," he said. "It will tell you whether X is X. Whether the person is the person he claims to be," he said. The number is a voluntary one and not mandatory as far as the UIDAI is concerned. However, with more institutions demanding a UID number, it will become necessary for individuals to obtain it.
The potential of UID number is that it would enhance access to services and ensure direct benefits to the poor. UIDAI would work with a set or partners to enroll people for the numbers, including banks, LIC and state authorities.
Issuing UIDs will be demand-led. "It would be a game changer. Enrol once, get an identity for life," he said. In terms of benefits, it would be a win-win situation for partners, as it would reduce verification cost, enable inclusive reach and reduce leakages.
However, the greatest challenge was the scale of implementation, ensuring uniformity and standards in enrollment and architectural challenges like distributed computing, optimising computation, network, in memory data base. The challenge of biometrics also lay for those who work in harsh conditions and children below eight.
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