By Kavita Mistry 
Soon, everyday activities—from entering a friend’s condo to checking in at a hotel or sitting for an exam—may require offline Aadhaar verification. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is rolling out an official offline Aadhaar mechanism that enables organisations to authenticate identity using QR codes and face scans without collecting photocopies of Aadhaar cards.
UIDAI believes this shift will reduce misuse of personal data and make verification faster and more secure. But digital rights experts caution that introducing Aadhaar checks at every entry point could normalize constant identity screening.
Why Offline Verification Is Being Introduced
UIDAI has long argued that citizens should not have to hand over photocopies of Aadhaar cards—a practice that violates the Aadhaar Act and exposes individuals to fraud. By making QR-based offline checks official, UIDAI hopes to replace these unsafe practices with a more privacy-focused system.
After meeting with nearly 250 stakeholders—hotel chains, fintech firms, housing societies, and event organisers—UIDAI emphasized that the new system aims to offer “a secure, convenient, and privacy-protecting method for identity verification.”
How the New System Will Work
The upcoming verification framework will revolve around:
- Secure QR Codes for quick identity checks
- Proof of Presence, a face-scan authentication that works offline
- A revamped Aadhaar app, replacing mAadhaar
Unlike current face-authentication tools used by banks, which depend on UIDAI servers, the new system will verify users locally. This could enable near-instant verification even in low-connectivity areas.
Expected use cases include:
- Hotel check-ins
- Housing society and office entry
- Exam hall verification for students
- Hospital admissions
- Workforce checks for cab drivers, delivery staff, and domestic workers
- Age verification for restricted products
- Entry to events, cinemas, concerts, and stadiums
- DigiYatra-style airport-like flows for other travel modes
Regulations and Rollout
UIDAI is drafting new rules that will formally govern offline Aadhaar verification. Any registered organisation will be able to apply online to become an Offline Verification Seeking Entity (OVSE), after document checks and technical integration. A small fee will be charged for onboarding.
UIDAI officials say the new Aadhaar app is now in the final testing phase, with stability checks underway and the launch expected within months.
The Road Ahead
If adopted widely, offline Aadhaar checks could redefine how identity is verified across India—bringing speed and security, but also raising important questions about privacy and proportional use.