Question 88 from UPSC CSE 2018 - Current Affairs

Question

The identity platform 'Aadhaar' provides open "Application Programming Interfaces (APIs)". What does it imply?
1. It can be integrated into any electronic device.
2. Online authentication using iris is possible.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. Both 1 and 2

Strategy: Evaluate two statements regarding Aadhaar: first, whether its open APIs allow integration across a broad range of electronic devices, and second, whether the platform supports authentication through iris scans. Both statements align with Aadhaar's established features, as its API architecture is designed for device/application integration and supports multiple biometric modalities, including iris.

Key Info: Aadhaar is India's national digital identity platform, administered by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) under the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016.

Aadhaar provides open Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) that enable external systems, applications, or devices to seamlessly integrate Aadhaar authentication services.

*   **Open API Functionality**: Software developers can build Aadhaar authentication into a wide variety of devices (e.g., mobile phones, tablets, handheld POS machines, ATMs) and software applications. This is subject to UIDAI regulations and approvals.

Aadhaar authentication supports multiple modalities--demographic (text data), OTP (One Time Password), and biometric (fingerprint and iris):

*   **Iris Authentication**: Uses a camera to scan and verify the unique pattern of the iris, leveraging the Aadhaar biometric database for online verification.

These features are foundational for e-KYC (electronic Know Your Customer) and for government or private sector service delivery. Security is ensured via encryption and secure communication protocols. Only registered Authentication Service Agencies and Devices certified by UIDAI are allowed access to production APIs, ensuring privacy and data protection.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: 1 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option B: 2 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: Neither 1 nor 2

The identity platform 'Aadhaar' provides open "Application Programming Interfaces (APIs)". What does it imply? It can be integrated into any electronic device. Online authentication using iris is possible. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The identity platform 'Aadhaar' provides open "Application Programming Interfaces (APIs)". What does it imply?

It can be integrated into any electronic device.

Online authentication using iris is possible.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?