New Delhi, February 26 The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) and tech giant Google have partnered to enable the display of authorized Aadhaar centers on Google Maps, a move aimed at enhancing ease of access and convenience for residents across the country.
An official release stated that the initiative will help residents identify Aadhaar centers based on the services offered, such as adult enrollment, child enrollment, or simply address and mobile updates.
"In addition, information related to center accessibility, including features such as 'divyang' (disabled) friendly infrastructure and parking availability, operating hours, will also be displayed wherever applicable, further enhancing convenience for residents," the release said.
The facility is expected to be available in the coming months.
The collaboration is aimed at enhancing public convenience, curbing misinformation, and ensuring that residents have seamless access to over 60,000 Aadhaar centers, including Aadhaar Seva Kendras (ASKs), nationwide. This will ensure that when users search on Google Maps, they are directed to verified Aadhaar centers.
"UIDAI is always focused on improving the ease of living for Aadhaar number holders. This collaboration will ensure that navigating the authorized Aadhaar centers is now simpler, faster, and more transparent," Bhuvnesh Kumar, CEO of UIDAI, said.
The subsequent phase of the collaboration will see UIDAI use Google Business Profile to manage center information and respond directly to people's feedback, ensuring a transparent and responsive service ecosystem.
Looking ahead, the partnership will explore direct appointment booking through the Google Maps interface, allowing residents to plan their visits with even greater efficiency.
Roli Agarwal, Country Head, Strategic Partnerships at Google India, said that by joining hands with UIDAI to integrate verified Aadhaar centers, "we are making it easier for millions of residents to find trusted services with confidence and bridging the gap between essential government infrastructure and the people who need it most."