PANAJI
The Goa government has circulated a Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) directive asking all departments and state agencies to furnish details of digital identity documents issued by them as part of a nationwide exercise to link existing digital IDs with Aadhaar through biometric authentication by December 2026.
The communication, forwarded to State departments following directions from the Centre, has sought a comprehensive inventory of identity documents issued by government departments, regulators, municipal bodies and other agencies.
The matter was discussed at the 5th National Conference of Chief Secretaries, where the Centre resolved to integrate existing digital identity systems with Aadhaar to eliminate duplication and streamline identity verification.
According to the MeitY communication, the Centre is examining identity documents issued across Union Ministries, State departments, regulators and municipal bodies to assess identity fragmentation, determine where Aadhaar linkage is required and identify the online portals through which such documents are issued. The Ministry said the objective is to facilitate linkage with Aadhaar using biometric authentication and prevent duplication of identities.
The State has been asked to collect information on every identity document issued for individuals, enterprises, professionals or other entities by its departments and subordinate organisations. Departments will have to specify whether the identity document is digital, whether it is linked with Aadhaar, if such linkage is mandatory or voluntary, the legal provisions governing it, and the method used for Aadhaar verification.
A subsequent communication has asked States to submit the details by July 30, 202
