The coexistence of two parallel-run schemes by the Government, namely the Aadhar card and the National Population Register (NPR), has ignited intense debates and legal disputes at the national level. While Aadhar operates on a voluntary basis, NPR stands as a compulsory initiative. Evaluating their merits raises pertinent questions about the necessity of concurrently running both schemes. Aadhar, with its widespread adoption, offers streamlined access to government services and welfare programs, enhancing efficiency and transparency. Conversely, NPR aims at creating a comprehensive database for demographic and socio-economic planning, aiding in targeted policy interventions. However, the overlap in objectives and data collection processes between the two schemes raises concerns regarding redundancy and privacy infringement. Rationalizing their coexistence necessitates a thorough examination of their developmental potentials and equitable growth outcomes. While Aadhar fosters inclusive development by facilitating access to services, NPR’s data could potentially aid in more targeted and effective policymaking. Therefore, a careful analysis of their synergies and disparities is imperative to optimize their collective potential in achieving developmental benefits and ensuring equitable growth.
Tag: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Decoding the Question:
- In Introduction, try giving a description about NPR and Aadhar.
- In Body, elaborate whether both schemes need to run concurrently and highlight the potential of the schemes to achieve developmental benefits and equitable growth.
- In Conclusion, try to conclude with suggestions like more clarity is required for NPR or Aadhar.
Answer:
The Indian government has implemented two parallel schemes, the Aadhaar Card and the National Population Register (NPR), with the former being voluntary and the latter being compulsory. Aadhar and NPR have gained media mileage from the past few days. Aadhaar is a twelve-digit number, not a card, given by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). The NPR is a register of the usual residents of the country. It contains information collected at the local, subdistrict, district, state and national level under provisions of the Citizenship Act, 1955 and the Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and Issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003. NPR data is sent to the UIDAI for generation of Aadhaar numbers.
The differences between Aadhar and NPR are as follows:
- Aadhaar revolves around the Aadhaar number, which is similar to the social security number in the United States, rather than the physical card itself. The Aadhaar number is then linked to NPR, wherein the Aadhaar number is required as part of the NPR registry.
- The NPR is compulsory, and when one applies to the NPR registry, their data is sent to the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) for the generation of an Aadhaar number, in case the person doesn’t already have one.
- The need for NPR was highlighted by the Kargil Defence Review Committee and thus NPR was born as an idea in 2003. NPR is for the Security purpose.
- The Government has decided that the NPR enrolment will continue as envisaged, but, if during enrolment, a person indicates that he/she is already enrolled for Aadhaar, the biometric data will not be captured by NPR. Instead the Aadhaar number/enrolment number will be recorded in NPR and biometric data will be given to the NPR.
Could Aadhaar Have Been Subsumed Under the NPR?:Technically, Aadhaar could have been subsumed under the larger NPR mechanism, thus saving time, efforts, and expenditure. However, the linking of Aadhaar to the government-run schemes and programs gives it a renewed and additional purpose other than that of identification and collation of biometric data.
Benefits of Aadhaar: With Aadhaar, the government subsidies and other benefits can be directly transferred to the deserving persons without the deployment of intermediaries, which increases inefficiency and also reduces the inherent economic and other inequities in society. This can lead to a more efficient use of resources and a reduction in corruption.
While the NPR is a much-required step for the government to create a database of Indian residents and evolve an identification mechanism, the Aadhaar card provides developmental benefits. Both schemes are necessary for the government to achieve its goals of equitable growth and development, and they should be run concurrently. However, the government should also be mindful of concerns about privacy and security and take necessary measures to protect citizens’ personal data.
In case you still have your doubts, contact us on 9811333901.
For UPSC Prelims Resources, Click here
For Daily Updates and Study Material:
Join our Telegram Channel – Edukemy for IAS
- 1. Learn through Videos – here
- 2. Be Exam Ready by Practicing Daily MCQs – here
- 3. Daily Newsletter – Get all your Current Affairs Covered – here
- 4. Mains Answer Writing Practice – here
