Nagaland govt says ‘credentials shared via Aadhaar app to be a valid proof of identity’ | All you need to know

Nagaland’s Home Department on Tuesday instructed government departments, district administrations and implementing agencies throughout the state to recognise credentials shared or verified through the newly launched Aadhaar app as valid proof of identity.

Credentials shared through Aadhaar app valid as identity proof: All you need to know

In an official release, the Home Department said, “In pursuance of the Unique Identification Authority of India (Aadhaar Usage Division) Circular No. HQ-30011/3/2025-AU-HO dated 30th April, 2026, it is hereby informed that as a step towards enhancing digital enablement, UIDAI has launched a new Aadhaar Application viz ‘Aadhaar App’. The Aadhaar Verifiable Credentials shown, shared and/or verified through the ‘Aadhaar App’ shall now be treated as valid identity proof.”

It added, “All concerned Departments/District Administration/implementing agencies across the State are requested to ensure strict compliance and acceptance of the Aadhaar verifiable credentials shown, shared and/or verified through the ‘Aadhaar App’ as valid identity proof for the purpose of establishing the identity of the Aadhaar holders.”

According to the Department of Information & Public Relations (DIPR), the directive follows a circular issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), Aadhaar Usage Division, as part of efforts to boost digital enablement. Available on Android and iOS, UIDAI’s Aadhaar App allows users to present, share, and verify their identity digitally.

The Aadhaar app also allows cardholders to share either their complete or partial identity details as Aadhaar Verifiable Credentials. Identity information shared through the app has legal validity under the Information Technology Act, 2000, which recognises records in electronic form.

The department clarified that sharing identity details with an Offline Verification Seeking Entity (OVSE) through the app does not transfer the holder’s full 12-digit Aadhaar number. It further said that digital credentials presented through the app are an additional accepted form of identification. UIDAI has clarified that they hold the same validity as existing Aadhaar formats, including the Aadhaar letter, e-Aadhaar, masked e-Aadhaar, Aadhaar PVC card and m-Aadhaar.

Centre proposes changes to identification for beneficiary payments

Separately, Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh said that beneficiaries of several schemes who have been receiving payments based on their Aadhaar numbers will soon have to use their biometrics and voter ID (EPIC) numbers to receive payments. Singh, the Minister of Panchayati Raj, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, made these remarks on 30 October at the inauguration of the National Workshop on People’s Plan Campaign 2026–27, The Indian Express reported.

He also signalled changes to how beneficiaries would be verified and payments processed, stating that biometric authentication and voter ID EPIC numbers would be used instead of Aadhaar to establish their identity.