UIDAI to verify biometrics of residents under National Population Register scheme

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is all set to verify biometrics of people instead of collecting them afresh for inclusion in the National Population Register (NPR) programme, as per a Home Ministry official.

The NPR will be carried out between the 1st day of April 2020 to 30th September 2020 across the country except for Assam.

In pursuance of sub-rule(4) of rule 3 of the Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and Issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003 the Central government hereby decides to prepare and update the Population Register. And the fieldwork for house-to-house enumeration throughout the country except for Assam for collection of information relating to all persons who are usually residing within the jurisdiction of local registrar, said Vivek Joshi, Registrar General of Citizen Registration and Census Commissioner in a notification.

The NPR will be a list of residents in the country.

An individual who has lived in one place for the past six months or more or a person who intends to reside in that area for the next six months or more will be considered as a resident, as per media report.

Its main objective to be a comprehensive identity database for citizens in the country.

The database will keep both demographic and biometric details. It will include 15 categories of demographic information while biometric details will be sourced from the UIDAI.

The NPR process after completion will be the basis for preparing the National Register of Indian Citizens (NRIC).

Last year in July, NRIC draft in Assam led to a huge controversy over the exclusion of over 40 lakh people. After the Supreme Court intervention, final list date is set on August 31.

The Govt plans to implement NPR and identify illegal immigrants through the scheme.