Aadhaar set to become routine for daily access as UIDAI prepares new offline verification system

A new Aadhaar app with QR-based offline identity checks is nearing launch, bringing ID verification to hotels, societies, events, exams and more.

India is preparing to bring Aadhaar verification into everyday public life through a new offline system that will allow hotels, housing societies, event venues, offices and several other establishments to confirm identity without photocopies or internet access. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is finalising a revamped Aadhaar app that will power this system, now in advanced testing stages and expected to launch in the coming months.

The upcoming mechanism will rely on secure QR codes and a “proof of presence” feature that confirms identity through a face scan without connecting to UIDAI servers. This marks a shift from the current bank-style face authentication, which depends on live server communication. The aim is to speed up verification, reduce misuse of photocopies and improve privacy by limiting data sharing.

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Before the rollout, UIDAI briefed around 250 industry and institutional stakeholders on how offline verification could work across sectors. The system is being designed for a wide range of everyday situations, including hotel check-ins, entry into gated communities, exam centres, hospitals, workplaces, data centres, cinemas, concerts, stadiums and even age-restricted purchases. It may also support a travel flow similar to DigiYatra for domestic journeys.

To formalise the process, new rules are being drafted to govern how businesses handle offline verification and protect user information. Any registered organisation will soon be able to apply online to become an Offline Verification Seeking Entity (OVSE). The onboarding will include documentation checks, technical setup and QR-generation capability. UIDAI plans to charge a small fee for approval.

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The new Aadhaar app, currently undergoing stability and product testing, is close to completion. Once introduced, the offline QR-based system is expected to make identity checks faster, more convenient and widely available, though privacy advocates are closely watching how such routine verification may shape daily movement across the country.