Nagaland orders acceptance of Aadhaar app credentials as valid proof of identity

The Nagaland government has issued an order directing all state government agencies to recognize proof of identity shared or verified through the Aadhaar app. According to a Mint report, the Nagaland Home Department on Tuesday instructed government departments, district administrations, and enforcement agencies across the state to comply with directives related to the Aadhaar application launched by the navy.

According to an official statement issued by the Home Department, in line with circular number HQ-30011/3/2025-AU-HO of the Aadhaar Usage Division of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), a new application named 'Aadhaar App' has been launched by UIDAI as a step towards digital empowerment. The Aadhaar verifiable credentials displayed, shared, and verified on this Aadhaar application will now be considered as valid proof of identity.

The department has also stated that all concerned departments, district administrations, and enforcement agencies must ensure the strict implementation of accepting the details displayed, shared, or verified through the Aadhaar app as valid proof of identity to ascertain the identity of Aadhaar holders. According to the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), this directive has been issued following the circular of the Unique Identification Authority of India.

The Aadhaar app is available on both Android and iOS and allows users to digitally display, share, and verify their identity. Through this application, cardholders can share complete or partial details of their identity as Aadhaar verifiable credentials. Under the Information Technology Act, 2000, identity information shared through this app has legal recognition, which gives validity to records in electronic form.

The department has clarified that sharing identity details through the app with the Offline Verification Seeking Entity (OVSE) does not transfer the holder's complete 12-digit Aadhaar number. It has further stated that the digital credentials displayed through this app are an additional form accepted for identity. UIDAI has clarified that these digital credentials will have the same validity as earlier Aadhaar formats such as Aadhaar letter, e-Aadhaar, masked e-Aadhaar, Aadhaar PVC card, and m-Aadhaar.

Apart from all these matters, Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, in a separate statement, stated that beneficiaries of various schemes who have been receiving financial assistance based on their Aadhaar numbers will soon have to use their biometrics and Voter ID, i.e., EPIC number, to receive funds. Panchayati Raj, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh made this remark on October 30 at the inaugural event of the National Workshop on the People's Plan Campaign 2026-27, which was reported by The Indian Express.

Indicating a change in the process of verifying beneficiaries and making payments, he stated that biometric authentication and Voter ID EPIC numbers will be used instead of Aadhaar to establish identity.