Editing National identification number (section)

=== India ===

On 28 January 2009, the Indian Government established an Authority called the [[Unique Identification Authority of India]] (UIDAI) to issue a ''Unique Identification Number'' to all residents of India. It is the biggest biometric ID programme in the world due to the large population of India.<ref name="Shankar 2015">{{cite web | last=Shankar | first=Besta | title=Aadhaar Becomes World's Biggest Biometric ID Programme | website=International Business Times, India Edition | date=27 April 2015 | url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/aadhaar-becomes-worlds-biggest-biometric-id-programme-630499 | access-date=24 April 2016 | archive-date=6 May 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506015334/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/aadhaar-becomes-worlds-biggest-biometric-id-programme-630499 | url-status=live }}</ref> UIDAI's [[Aadhaar|Aadhaar card]] project gives each eligible Indian resident a unique 12 digit identification number, along with recording their biometrics such as iris scan and fingerprints on a UIDAI database and the card is being rolled out to all such residents.<ref name="Parameshwari Ramaswamy">{{cite web | last=Ramaswamy | first=Parameshwari | title=Understanding the UID Aadhaar project and IT's role in its success | website=ComputerWeekly | date=September 2011 | url=http://www.computerweekly.com/tutorial/Understanding-the-UID-Aadhaar-project-and-ITs-role-in-its-success | access-date=24 April 2016 | archive-date=14 January 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170114211955/http://www.computerweekly.com/tutorial/Understanding-the-UID-Aadhaar-project-and-ITs-role-in-its-success | url-status=live }}</ref> Though contrary to popular belief Aadhaar is not a proof for citizenship. The first Aadhaar number was launched in Maharashtra in the village of [[Tembhli]], on 29 September 2010.<ref name="Byatnal 2010">{{cite news | last=Byatnal | first=Amruta | title=Tembhli becomes first Aadhar village in India | newspaper=The Hindu | date=29 September 2010 | url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tembhli-becomes-first-aadhar-village-in-india/article802538.ece | access-date=24 April 2016 | archive-date=28 November 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161128102407/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tembhli-becomes-first-aadhar-village-in-india/article802538.ece | url-status=live }}</ref> As of May 2023, 1.37 billion Aadhaar Numbers have been issued.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Aadhaar Dashboard |url=https://uidai.gov.in/aadhaar_dashboard/index.php |access-date=2023-05-26 |website=uidai.gov.in |archive-date=2019-12-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229021846/https://uidai.gov.in/aadhaar_dashboard/index.php |url-status=live }}</ref> In October 2015, 93 percent of adult Indians have an Aadhaar card.<ref name="Firstpost 2015">{{cite web | author=Firstpost | title=About 93 percent of adults in India have Aadhaar card, says UIDAI | website=Firstpost | date=30 October 2015 | url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/about-93-percent-of-adults-in-india-have-aadhaar-card-says-uidai-2489084.html | access-date=24 April 2016 | archive-date=23 April 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423225315/http://www.firstpost.com/india/about-93-percent-of-adults-in-india-have-aadhaar-card-says-uidai-2489084.html | url-status=live }}</ref> In the year 2020, UIDAI introduced a PVC Aadhar Card with additional security features such as holograms, micro text, ghost images, [[guilloché Patterns]], invisible logos etc.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://uidai.gov.in/contact-support/have-any-question/1024-faqs/aadhaar-online-services/order-aadhaar-pvc-card-online.html|title=Order Aadhaar PVC Card|website=Unique Identification Authority of India &#124; Government of India|access-date=2020-12-08|archive-date=2020-12-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222113720/https://uidai.gov.in/contact-support/have-any-question/1024-faqs/aadhaar-online-services/order-aadhaar-pvc-card-online.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=DelhiNovember 30|first1=India Today Web Desk New|title=Order Aadhaar reprint online: Here is all you need to know|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/information/story/order-aadhaar-reprint-online-here-is-all-you-need-to-know-1745382-2020-11-30|website=India Today|date=30 November 2020 |language=en|access-date=2020-12-08|archive-date=2020-11-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130154943/https://www.indiatoday.in/information/story/order-aadhaar-reprint-online-here-is-all-you-need-to-know-1745382-2020-11-30|url-status=live}}</ref> Albeit, the UIDAI has clarified that Aadhar, in all forms, viz. the Aadhar letter, downloaded Aadhar letter, PVC Card, Aadhar printed on paper or [[plastic card]]s or in any other approved mode shall have an equal acceptance and validity throughout India for all purposes, including identification.

Before Aadhaar, the closest India has come to this is the [[Permanent account number]] (PAN), issued by the Income Tax Office, for purposes of tracking income and income taxes. It has gained use as a means of identification for activities like getting a phone connection. A total of 24.37 crore (243.7 million) PANs have been allotted as of 24 February 2016.<ref name="Times of India 2016">{{cite web | last=PTI | first=From | title=Over 24.37 crore PAN cards {{sic|allo|ted|nolink=y}} in country, I-T department says | website=The Times of India | date=24 February 2016 | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Over-24-37-crore-PAN-cards-alloted-in-country-I-T-department-says/articleshow/51124182.cms | access-date=24 April 2016 | archive-date=27 April 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427231541/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Over-24-37-crore-PAN-cards-alloted-in-country-I-T-department-says/articleshow/51124182.cms | url-status=live }}</ref>