Implementation Issues of Aadhaar : The Human Resource Information System for India

This paper examines the issues involved in successful implementation of one of the most ambitious projects of Government of India, Aadhaar, the brand name for Unique Identification for residents of India to be issued by Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). The proposed socio-technical infrastructure with 12 digit unique identification number is seen by policy makers as critical in resolving identity crisis of residents, effective enforcement of individual rights, improving the delivery of social services, subsidies and other government programs by eliminating multiple identification mechanisms across various government departments while also strengthening national security. Use of Information technology for Human Resource Management is not new to Corporate Sector. But application of the same for Indian population is highly complex. Added to the heterogeneity of the vast population with wide range of demographics; reliability of biometrics, issues of illegal migrants, insufficiency of penalties for violations when the project promises financial inclusion and many more. Started in 2009, UID project is presently progressing with the issue of Aadhaar application forms amidst the questions raised by various NGOs, international forums, public personalities and even RBI and National Human Rights Commission which suggest that adequate public debate has not happened and that it’s a hasty decision based on the platform of myth and surrounded by confusions. The paper studies the objectives for implementation of Aadhaar and the process of implementation. Then tries to critically evaluate different issues in the implementation of Aadhaar such that possible mechanism can be arrived for successful implementation