The Aadhaar card is a 12-digit unique number issued by the UIDAI to the resident of India. It is one of the unique and robust documents to eliminate duplicates and fake identities and may be used by the government as a primary identifier to roll out government welfare scheme. In short, it acts as an e-KYC for the citizen that also helps them to protect their money-related transactions. An individual can use the Aadhaar card as an identity proof and avail various services. While availing such facilities, one may fear that the Aadhaar number might be misused.
Even if you have given your Aadhaar number to a different service provider, they would not be able fraud you or misuse your documents. One reason is that if you use Aadhaar to avail any services, then you will get an OTP on your registered mobile number. One can you use the Aadhaar card in a similar as it using other documents.
On the issue of misusing the Aadhaar card by someone else, the UIDAI has given an explanation on its website
According to the UIDAI, by getting the details of the Aadhaar number, no one can harm any individual. It's just like any other identity documents such as passport, voter ID, PAN card, driving license, etc, in fact, Aadhaar is a verifiable document and the most trusted one. Aadhaar helps to curb leaking and provide accurate and transparent information about the service delivery mechanism.
The Aadhaar Act 2016, states that, the Aadhaar card is required to be authenticated by biometric scanning, OTP verification and QR code which makes it impossible to misuse it as it multi-layered verification process
Under the Aadhaar Act, if someone found misusing the Aadhaar of other people then stringent penalties including fines will be levied under section 40 of the Aadhaar Act and will have to the imprisonment of less one year under section 41 of the act.
