One of the most crucial Indian documents is the Aadhaar card, which is used to verify your identity and also serves as resident proof in many required fields. Such significance of this unique 12-digit holding identity card gives rise to many doubts and questions in the minds of holders, and one of such is “Can an NRI enrol for Aadhaar Card?”
Well, the answer is of course, yes, an NRI, being an adult or minor, can apply for an Aadhaar card ID from any Aadhaar Seva Kendra if has an Indian Passport.
As instructed by UIDAI as an answer to a FAQ, “Yes, NRIs are also eligible to enrol for Aadhaar. Indian Passport is a mandatory Proof of Identity for Aadhaar enrolment for NRIs.”
“As far as using Aadhaar is concerned, if the respective service providers like Banks, Telecom Service providers or Income Tax Department have regulations that mandate Aadhaar-based verification for their users, then NRIs will also need to follow the specified rules. The NRI may contact their service provider for the required process for such verification”, further reading.
Here Are The Answers To Some Of The Most Helpful And Crucial FAQs
Does UIDAI Utilise The Aadhaar Information Stored On Its Database To Track My Activity?
No, absolutely no, neither UIDAI nor any other Governmental authority has the access to use your database to track you.
Moreover, the UIDAI database has no information to let it track you other than the minimal ones such as, “name, address, gender, date of birth, ten fingerprints, two Iris scans, facial photograph, mobile number (optional) and email ID (optional).”
This means UIDAI does not have sensitive information about your, “bank accounts, shares, mutual funds, financial and property details, health records, family, caste, religion, education, etc”.
As the matter of fact, “Section 32(3) of the Aadhaar Act 2016 specifically prohibits UIDAI from controlling, collecting, keeping or maintaining any information about the purpose of authentication either by itself or through any entity,” mentioned economic times.
My Bank Accounts, Shares, Mutual Funds Etc. Are you Linked To Aadhaar, Does UIDAI Has Access To It?
The answer is no, UIDAI does not get the information about your bank account number, balance, etc. Banks only use your Aadhaar number to verify your identity with UIDAI, so they only send your Aadhaar number to the aadhaar regulating authority.
If Anybody Knows My Aadhaar Number Can He Or She Can Hack Into My Bank Account?
Nothing wrong with asking the questions but let me tell you it’s completely false, no one can technically buy knowing your aadhaar number can do anything to you. Just think this way, if anybody knows your ATM card number it does not mean he or she can withdraw cash through it. Similar to this case, just by knowing your identity number no one can access your bank account and withdraw money. Moreover, you are even safer with OTPs and PINs.
Is Aadhaar To Bank Account Linking Mandatory?
According to the Prevention of Money-laundering (Maintenance of Records) Third Amendment Rules, 2019, if a person wants to avail the benefits of Government schemes introduced “under section 7 of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016 (18 of 2016)”, then a person is required mandatorily to link their Aadhaar to bank account by submitting it to the service provider.
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Is Aadhaar Necessary To Buy A Mobile SIM Card?
No, but a person can, voluntarily, provide his aadhaar as per the amendments of the Telegraph Act, 1885, as a KYC document for authentication. And the same is also advised by the Government if you want to avoid being prey to any kind of financial or identity fraud. Moreover, “if a mobile number is verified and linked with Aadhaar, the fraudsters, criminals, terrorists or money launderers using such disposable mobiles can be easily identified and punished in accordance with the law.”
