The journe of Aadha
The Supreme Court has upheld the legality of Aadhaar, but with some conditions. Here’s how the government scheme has evolved over the years
2013
Two-judge SC bench says government cannot make UID mandatory for gas connections, vehicle registration, salaries, PF and scholarships; by December, over 500mn enrolments completed ARCH 2006
Department of information technology in the ministry of communications and information technology approves project titled Unique Identification for BPL Families (UID) 2014
The Supreme Court asks UIDAI not to share the Aadhaar database with any agency without taking the consent of the person owning the data DECEMBER 2006
Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) constituted to collate a National Population Register under the Citizenship Act, 1955, and UID MARCH 2016
The Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial & Other Subsidies, Benefits & Services) Bill introduced in the Lok Sabha as a money bill and passed NOVEMBER 2007
EGoM says create institutional mechanism that would own database, be responsible for maintenance and updating 2017
SC upholds amendment to IT Act, Section 139AA which makes Aadhaar mandatory for filing IT return, but exempts linkage for those who don’t have Aadhaar; challenge is filed JANUARY 2009
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) constituted under aegis of the Planning Commission MARCH 2017
The government makes Aadhaar mandatory for 22 welfare schemes, including the midday meal scheme being run in government schools JULY 2009
Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani appointed chairman with Cabinet minister rank; PM’s Council of UIDAI set up; the name ‘Aadhaar’ suggested by a migrant labourer near Jaipur AUGUST 2017
A nine-judge bench of the Supreme Court rules that the Constitution guarantees citizens the right to privacy APRIL 2010
UIDAI comes out with strategy overview, outlines goal to serve as universal proof of identity, says private sector participation crucial OCTOBER 2017
Private telecom firms send messages to users to link their mobile numbers with Aadhaar citing directive to re-verify all existing connections with Aadhaar by Feb, 2018 SEPTEMBER 2010
Process for enrolment begins; First Aadhaar number issued to homemaker in Tembhali village, Maharashtra JANUARY TO MAY 2018
Over 30 petitions heard on validity and use of Aadhaar for 38 days spread over four months DECEMBER 2010
The National Identification Authority of India Bill, 2010 submitted; Parliamentary Standing Committee rejects it the following year APRIL 2018
RBI updates master circular on KYC norms making Aadhaar and PAN mandatory for new and existing bank accounts 2012
Aadhaar payments bridge launched for funds transfer using only the 12-digit biometric identity number JULY 2018
The Justice BN Srikrishna committee submits its Draft Personal Data Protection Bill, suggests UIDAI get regulator status, and grants exemptions to state NOVEMBER 2012
Show-cause notice issued on writ petition filed by a former Karnataka HC judge stating that Aadhaar violates privacy; Union of India affidavit counters privacy is not a fundamental right SEPTEMBER 2018
SC upholds constitutional validity of Aadhaar Act, strikes down unconstitutional sections that pertain to data usage by private companies, and state citing national security