---
title: "UIDAI: India's Aadhaar Authority Explained | Model Diplomat"
description: "The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) issues Aadhaar, a 12-digit biometric ID essential for residents' identity verification and services."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/unique-identification-authority-of-india"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- The Unique Identification Authority of India is the statutory body that issues Aadhaar, a 12-digit biometric identity number, to residents of India.
- Is UIDAI a constitutional or statutory body?
- Does an Aadhaar number prove Indian citizenship?
- What did the 2018 Puttaswamy judgment change about UIDAI's powers?
- What is the difference between Aadhaar authentication and e-KYC?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

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Example

In September 2018, India's Supreme Court in Justice K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India upheld UIDAI's Aadhaar Act but struck down Section 57, barring private firms from mandating Aadhaar authentication.

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