The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has ordered state governments to check Aadhaar cards before accepting them in the physical or electronic form to establish an individual’s identification.

UIDAI has urged the state governments to offer the appropriate instructions so that whenever Aadhaar is submitted as proof of identity – authentication/verification of the resident is undertaken by the concerned body using Aadhaar as an identity document.

The Ministry of Electronics and IT said in a release dated November 24, 2022, “Any Aadhaar can be verified using the QR code available on all forms of Aadhaar (Aadhaar letter, e-Aadhaar, Aadhaar PVC card, and m-Aadhaar) using the mAadhaar App, or Aadhaar QR code Scanner. “The QR code scanner is freely available for both Android and iOS-based mobile phones, as well as window-based applications.”

How Aadhaar verification will help

“It prohibits unscrupulous elements and anti-social elements from indulging in any possible misuse. It also promotes usage hygiene and reasserts UIDAI’s stand that any 12-digit number is not an Aadhaar. Tampering with Aadhaar documents can be detected by offline verification, and tampering is a punishable offence and liable for penalties under Section 35 of the Aadhaar Act”, the Ministry added.

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) maintains that verifying an Aadhaar number with the consent of the Aadhaar holder is the proper procedure for establishing the authenticity of any form of Aadhaar (Aadhaar letter, e-Aadhaar, Aadhaar PVC card, and m-Aadhaar) presented by an individual.

How to verify Aadhaar

According to the UIDAI tweet, “To avoid any kind of potential fraud or scam, verify the genuineness of any presented Aadhaar before accepting. You can easily verify it by Scanning the QR Code available on all forms of Aadhaar through the mAadhaar App or Aadhaar QR Scanner.”

How to verify Aadhaar online

Step 1: Visit https://myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in/verifyAadhaar

Step 2: Enter your Aadhaar number and Captcha code

Step 3: Click on ‘Proceed and Verify Aadhaar’.

How to verify Aadhaar with a QR scan (offline)

Step 1: Download and open the mAadhaar app.

Step 2: Launch the QR Code Scanner.

Please keep in mind that every printed Aadhaar card contains a QR Code.

Step 3 Scan the QR Code on the presented Aadhaar.

Step 4: Verify the same with the physical copy presented to you.