6 hrs ago
UIDAI Plans Global Aadhaar Expansion for Overseas Indians
India’s digital identity system, Aadhaar, may be used more widely around the world.
The Unique Identification Authority of India wants overseas Indians to benefit from it.
This includes non-resident Indians and overseas citizens of India.
UIDAI is studying how Aadhaar could work with other systems in different countries.
It is also considering legal changes needed for international use.
Officials say the effort could help bring more investment to India.
UIDAI is separately preparing rules to help small merchants use Aadhaar for customer checks.
The organization is also working on a simpler product called Aadhaar Lite.
The Unique Identification Authority of India is developing plans to expand Aadhaar internationally.
The initiative is intended to benefit non-resident Indians and overseas citizens of India.
UIDAI is exploring interoperability improvements and legal changes to support international use.
Policies are being developed to make Aadhaar available to overseas citizens of India and attract investment.
UIDAI is also preparing small-merchant KYC guidelines and working on a product called Aadhaar Lite.
- Who
- The Unique Identification Authority of India, led in this discussion by CEO Saurabh Vijay, is developing the plans.
- What
- UIDAI plans to expand Aadhaar internationally and is working on related interoperability, legal, investment, KYC, and product initiatives.
- Where
- The announcement was made during a fireside chat at Global Fintech Fest 2026.
- When
- The plans were discussed on Thursday at Global Fintech Fest 2026; no exact date was provided.
- Why
- The stated goals are to benefit non-resident Indians and overseas citizens of India, improve interoperability, attract investment, and streamline Aadhaar-enabled KYC.
Key facts
- Organization
- Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI)
- Digital identity system
- Aadhaar
- Intended beneficiaries
- Non-resident Indians and overseas citizens of India
- International preparations
- Proofs of concept, interoperability work, and legal-framework changes are underway.
- Investment goal
- Policies are being developed to make Aadhaar available to overseas citizens of India and encourage investment.
- Merchant KYC
- UIDAI is preparing guidelines for small merchants using Aadhaar-enabled authentication.
- New product
- UIDAI is working on Aadhaar Lite.
Quotes
Saurabh Vijay
CEO of the Unique Identification Authority of India
“I think for Aadhaar, the focus now is making Aadhaar international. We really want to work on the interoperability part of it -- how to make it more possible. So already some PoCs (proof of concept) are happening.”
rediff.com
“We are working towards reducing this whole journey and making it more seamless with new products, something like Aadhaar Lite. The guidelines will be out very soon. Already it has been a work in progress.”
rediff.com
Sources
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