Published: 28 January 2026PIBGovernance
New Aadhaar App Launched on UIDAI Day: Mobile Number Updates, Family Profile Management Online
On January 28, 2026, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) marked its anniversary by launching a revamped Aadhaar App in New Delhi. The new app enables citizens to update their mobile numbers and addresses online without visiting Aadhaar enrolment centres, manage multiple family Aadhaar profiles from a single interface, and share Aadhaar details securely with consent-based controls.
The app incorporates face authentication and biometric-backed verification to prevent misuse. Citizens can now generate a Virtual ID (VID) and QR-code-based masked Aadhaar for sharing with third parties, protecting full Aadhaar number exposure. The digital upgrade is part of broader governance reforms under Digital India, aiming to make essential ID services paperless and accessible from smartphones.
For Rajasthan, where Aadhaar seeding is critical for direct benefit transfers under schemes such as Mukhyamantri Ayushman Arogya Yojana, PM Kisan, and MGNREGS, the new app enhances last-mile service delivery and reduces the burden on physical enrolment infrastructure in rural areas.
0Mains angle
Q: Explain how the new Aadhaar App launched on UIDAI Day 2026 advances Digital India objectives and discuss its implications for last-mile benefit delivery in Rajasthan.
Answer (50 words):
The Unique Identification Authority of India launched a revamped Aadhaar App on January 28, 2026, enabling online mobile-number and address updates, multi-profile family management, face authentication, and consent-based Virtual ID sharing. For Rajasthan, it strengthens Aadhaar-seeded direct benefit transfer under Mukhyamantri Ayushman Arogya Yojana, PM Kisan and MGNREGS, reducing enrolment-centre burden.
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Practice MCQ from this story
SolveTap an option below. Correct or incorrect feedback appears instantly.
Linked questionMedium
To reduce exposure of the full Aadhaar number while sharing identity details with third parties, which privacy-preserving Aadhaar tools can be used?
Explanation · Correct answer AUIDAI provides Virtual ID as a revocable 16-digit number that can be used instead of the Aadhaar number for authentication or e-KYC. Masked Aadhaar and secure QR-based sharing also reduce exposure of the full Aadhaar number. Hence, option A captures the correct privacy-preserving tools.
Frequently asked questions
What is UIDAI Day and what major launch happened on January 28, 2026?
UIDAI Day is observed on January 29 each year to mark the establishment of the Unique Identification Authority of India. On January 28, 2026, UIDAI launched a redesigned Aadhaar App that enables online mobile number and address updates, multi-profile family management, and consent-based secure Aadhaar sharing — all without visiting an enrolment centre.
What are the key new features of the Aadhaar App launched in 2026?
The 2026 Aadhaar App introduces three major features: (1) online self-service updates for mobile numbers and addresses without visiting enrolment centres; (2) multi-profile family management allowing a single user to manage Aadhaar details for multiple family members; and (3) consent-based secure digital Aadhaar sharing that eliminates the need to carry or photocopy physical Aadhaar cards.
What is UIDAI and under which law was it established?
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is a statutory authority established under the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016. It is responsible for issuing Aadhaar numbers, maintaining the biometric database, and overseeing all Aadhaar-related services for India's 1.4 billion residents.
How does the new Aadhaar App address concerns about privacy and data security?
The app uses consent-based sharing, meaning Aadhaar data is shared only with the explicit approval of the holder at the time of sharing. It leverages the masked Aadhaar and QR-based verification mechanisms, reducing the risk of identity theft from physical document misuse. The Aadhaar Act and regulations also restrict the use of Aadhaar data to authorised purposes.
What is the significance of Aadhaar for digital governance and welfare delivery in India?
Aadhaar is the world's largest biometric identity system with over 1.4 billion enrollments. It underpins Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), JAM trinity (Jan Dhan–Aadhaar–Mobile), e-KYC for banking and telecom, and digital public infrastructure. The 2026 app update furthers the government's goal of seamless citizen-centric digital services under Digital India.
