Andhra Pradesh allows voluntary Aadhaar for civic services, with alternatives

The Andhra Pradesh government has permitted voluntary Aadhaar-based authentication for residents using municipal services through Urban Local Body (ULB) online platforms. The initiative is intended to make civic service delivery faster, simpler, and more secure, according to an official order issued on Friday.

The order, G.O. Ms. No. 179, was issued by Principal Secretary of Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD), S. Suresh Kumar. It allows Aadhaar authentication through the Yes/No option and e-KYC facilities for establishing and verifying citizens' identities. The government said this would reduce repetitive documentation, improve the accuracy of municipal databases, and help prevent impersonation, duplication, and fraudulent transactions.

The decision has been taken under the Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance Rules, 2020, and relevant provisions of the Aadhaar Act, 2016, following approval by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology in consultation with UIDAI.

Crucially, the government has stated that Aadhaar authentication remains strictly voluntary. Citizens cannot be denied municipal services for refusing or being unable to authenticate through Aadhaar. Instead, they must be offered alternative identity documents, including passport, ration card, voter identity card, and driving licence.

Mr. Suresh Kumar said that technology should reduce, rather than add to, the burden on citizens. He said the initiative would support seamless digital services while ensuring accessibility and preventing exclusion.

The move comes amid broader government efforts to digitise public services across the country. While Aadhaar has been widely used for various schemes, concerns have been raised about privacy and exclusion. The voluntary nature of this authentication, with clear alternatives, is seen as a measure to address such concerns.

The order is expected to streamline processes in urban local bodies, making it easier for residents to access services such as property tax payments, building plan approvals, and birth and death certificates, among others. However, the implementation details, including the timeline for integration on ULB platforms, have not been announced yet.

This development is part of the government's push towards digital governance, balancing convenience with citizens' rights to choose how they verify their identity.