Consider the following statements:
- 1. Aadhaar metadata cannot be stored for more than three months.
- 2. State cannot enter into any contract with private corporations for sharing of Aadhaar data.
- 3. Aadhaar is mandatory for obtaining insurance products.
- 4. Aadhaar is mandatory for getting benefits funded out of the Consolidated Fund of India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
1 and 4 only
2 and 4 only
3 only
1, 2 and 3 only
Answer is Right!
Answer is Wrong!
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2020
Statement 2: Section 29 of the Aadhaar Act, 2016 restricts the sharing of core biometric information. Identity information can be shared only with consent for specific purposes or under court order. The Supreme Court judgment in Puttaswamy case upheld the restrictive nature of the Act regarding data sharing with private entities, emphasizing minimal data collection and use. While private entities can act as Authentication User Agencies (AUAs) or e-KYC User Agencies (KUAs), direct and general “sharing of Aadhaar data” with private corporations is prohibited. Thus, the statement that the State cannot enter into *any* contract for sharing of *Aadhaar data* (interpreted as general data sharing beyond permitted authentication/KYC processes under strict rules) with private corporations aligns with the law’s intent and judgment, making this statement likely correct in context.
Statement 3: The Supreme Court judgment held that Aadhaar cannot be made mandatory for services unless they are benefits, subsidies, or services funded out of the Consolidated Fund of India (Section 7 of the Aadhaar Act). Insurance products are generally not funded out of the Consolidated Fund of India. Therefore, making Aadhaar mandatory for obtaining insurance products was ruled unconstitutional by the SC. Thus, statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 4: The Supreme Court upheld Section 7 of the Aadhaar Act, which mandates Aadhaar for receiving subsidies, benefits, or services funded out of the Consolidated Fund of India. Thus, statement 4 is correct.
Based on this analysis, statements 2 and 4 are correct, while 1 and 3 are incorrect.
– Sharing of Aadhaar data, especially core biometrics, with private entities is heavily restricted.
– Aadhaar cannot be mandatory for services not funded by the Consolidated Fund of India (like insurance).
– Aadhaar can be mandatory for benefits/services funded by the Consolidated Fund of India.