Current Events for TNPSC Exam - Unique Identification Authority of India

Unique Identification Authority of India

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), is an agency of the Government of India responsible for implementing the AADHAAR scheme, a unique identification project. It was established in February 2009, and will own and operate the Unique Identification Number database.The authority aims to provide a unique id number to all Indians, but not smart cards.The authority will maintain a database of residents containing biometric and other data.

The agency is headed by a chairman, who holds a cabinet rank. The UIDAI is part of the Planning Commission of India. Nandan Nilekani, former co-chairman of Infosys Technologies, was appointed as the first Chairman of the authority in June 2009. Vijay S Madan, an IAS Officer, joined as the Director General and Mission Director of the Unique Identification Authority of India on 1 April 2013 . He replaced Ram Sewak Sharma, who has moved to Jharkhand as the chief secretary of the state
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Salient features of AADHAAR

Aadhaar is a 12-digit unique number which the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) will issue for all residents in India (on a voluntary basis). The number will be stored in a centralised database and linked to the basic demographics and biometric information – photograph, ten fingerprints and iris – of each individual. It is easily verifiable in an online, cost-effective way. It is unique and robust enough to eliminate the large number of duplicate and fake identities in government and private databases. The random number generated will be devoid of any classification based on caste, creed, religion and geography.

Questions

1. Who was the first chaiman of UIDAI?
2. When did UIADI was estabilished?
3. UIDAI was part of ________________.
4. How many digits in Aadhaar as unique number?
5. What will be stored under UIDAI number?