New Delhi: Aadhaar-issuing authority UIDAI said that service providers can use offline verification tools like eAadhaar and QR code that leverage the unique ID without authentication, any access to biometrics, or revealing the 12-digit number,

The statement comes against the backdrop of the Supreme Court judgement restricting the use of Aadhaar. Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) CEO Ajay Bhushan Pandey said as per legal understanding of the authority, offline options conform to the last week SC order.

“The UIDAI has come out with offline options which will be in line with the SC order. People can choose to get their Aadhaar ID verified without hitting the UIDAI server, by downloading electronic version of their Aadhaar card (eAadhaar)... they have option of masking their Aadhaar number, and there is a QR (quick response) code which does not carry their Aadhaar number too, that can be used,” Pandey said. Using any of these options will allow service providers to establish the identity of an individual, and security layers can be added to such verification including ‘One Time Password’, he said.

“... The most important thing is that the information which is given (through these options), contains only name, address and photo, which is anyway available in any other ID document. The Aadhaar number can be masked or redacted, and so it addresses concerns of privacy,” he said.

The UIDAI plans to organise a workshop in New Delhi next week to explain the nuances of offline verification for Aadhaar, to the tech community, he added.

Last week, in a verdict with far-reaching consequences, the Supreme Court had upheld the constitutional validity of ‘Aadhaar’ but limited the scope of the controversial biometric identity project, ruling it is not mandatory for bank accounts, mobile connections or school admissions.