Aadhaar XML — How the Offline Aadhaar (Aadhar) XML Verification Works (As per UIDAI)

The most comprehensive and definitive guide to Offline Aadhaar XML — how it works, its pros and cons, and what the consumer and organization need to do to use it effectively to meet KYC norms as well as protect themselves from fraud.

The Great Aadhaar Privacy Debate

After a long legal battle on Aadhaar, the Supreme Court pronounced a judgement that had far reaching effects on not just the way Aadhaar is used, but also on the private sector businesses’ ability to onboard customers.

It, in effect, stopped all e-KYC (except for Direct Benefits Transfer) and dealt a blow to digitization efforts and the adoption of Aadhaar itself. It would no longer be so easy to onboard users remotely. Nor would it be possible to verify Aadhaar details from the CIDR until an Act of Law (such as PMLA or Telegraph) expressly allows Aadhaar authentication for the sector.

UIDAI’s Offline Aadhaar Verification

The UIDAI proposed a mechanism for “Offline Aadhaar Data Verification Service”. The offline method, they argued, would still provide an Aadhaar-based verification service without the resident having to share either their Aadhaar number or their biometric information. The keyword is Aadhaar-based verification and not authentication.

Download Aadhaar XML Ebook

This 18-page ebook covers everything you need to know about Offline Aadhaar XML Verifications. On page 9, you find out if it protects the one thing it is meant to protect — citizens’ personal data.