Aadhaar App credentials now valid ID proof in Nagaland

KOHIMA – The Nagaland government has directed all departments, district administrations and implementing agencies in the state to accept identity details shared through the new Aadhaar App of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) as valid proof of identity.

In a notice shared by MyGov Nagaland on Nov. 3, the state’s Home Department said Aadhaar Verifiable Credentials “shown, shared and/or verified through the ‘Aadhaar App’ shall now be treated as valid identity proof”.

The notice was issued in pursuance of UIDAI (Aadhaar Usage Division) Circular No. HQ-30011/3/2025-AU-HO, dated April 30, 2026. It asks all concerned offices across the state “to ensure strict compliance and acceptance” of the app’s credentials “for the purpose of establishing the identity of the Aadhaar holders”.

How the Aadhaar App shares identity

The Aadhaar App, available on Android and iOS, lets Aadhaar holders show, share and verify their identity digitally, the department said.

When details are shared with an Offline Verification Seeking Entity (OVSE), the agency checking a person’s identity, “the 12-digit Aadhaar number is not transferred”, according to the notice. Users can choose to share either complete or partial identity details. Also Read Nagaland sets state-wide mass social work for Nov. 13

The department said details shared this way are legally valid under the Information Technology Act, 2000, which gives legal recognition to electronic records. Under the Aadhaar Act, 2016 and its regulations, the credentials are a legally valid way to establish identity, “in addition to other forms like Aadhaar letter, e-Aadhaar, Aadhaar Card and m-Aadhaar”, it said.

What changes for residents

For offices in Nagaland that already accept Aadhaar as proof of identity, the directive means a resident can present the credential on the app instead of a printed card or photocopy.

UIDAI has also told central ministries, state governments and other agencies to accept the app’s credentials and issue instructions to that effect, the Press Information Bureau reported on May 12. The authority said the credentials carry the same validity as the Aadhaar letter, e-Aadhaar, masked e-Aadhaar, Aadhaar PVC card and m-Aadhaar, and that leaving out the full number gives users more privacy and control.

The circular is listed on UIDAI’s circulars page under the title “Validity of Aadhaar Verifiable Credential shown, shared and/or verified through Aadhaar Application”.

Aadhaar App features

UIDAI launched the new app on its official X handle late last year, Patrika reported on Nov. 10, 2025.

According to India TV News, the app offers:

• QR code sharing, which can be scanned at authorised points
• “Selective Share”, to pick details such as name, photo, age or address instead of revealing the full Aadhaar number
• Face authentication
• Locking and unlocking of fingerprint, face and iris data
• Profiles for up to five family members, in 13 Indian languages

The report said UIDAI plans to retire the older mAadhaar app, and that data from it does not move to the new app automatically, so users must set up their profiles again.

To set up the app, users download it from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, register with their Aadhaar-linked mobile number, enter their Aadhaar number and the OTP sent by SMS, complete face authentication and set a six-digit password, the report said.