Kiphire orders offices, banks to accept digital Aadhaar

KIPHIRE – Government offices, institutions, banks and implementing agencies in Kiphire district must now accept digital Aadhaar credentials shown on the Aadhaar mobile app as valid proof of identity, the district administration has directed.

Deputy Commissioner Temsuwati Longkumer, NCS, issued the instruction through a circular that comes into force with immediate effect, according to a press note on the circular seen by Nagaland.News and shared on Facebook.

The district order puts into practice a Nagaland Home Department directive issued on 3 November, which asked all departments and district administrations in the state to recognise credentials from the new app.

What the Kiphire digital Aadhaar circular says

The circular says Aadhaar Verifiable Credentials shown, shared or verified through the Aadhaar App are to be treated as a legally valid form of identity proof. They are accepted in addition to the documents already recognised: the Aadhaar Letter, e-Aadhaar, the Aadhaar Card and m-Aadhaar.

The Deputy Commissioner cautioned that no eligible applicant or beneficiary should be refused a government service or benefit only because they presented digital credentials instead of a physical Aadhaar card. This remains subject to applicable verification requirements, the circular adds.

Departments and agencies have also been told to help residents use the digital credentials. They are to avoid unnecessary procedural hurdles and repeated demands for other documents.

Banks and frontline staff told to comply

Heads of offices and institutions must brief their subordinate officials and frontline staff on the validity of the digital credentials. The Lead District Manager, Kiphire, has been asked to pass the instructions on to every bank and branch operating in the district.

The circular calls for strict and uniform compliance by all departments and institutions within their jurisdictions.

How the Aadhaar App shares identity

The Aadhaar App, available on Android and iOS, lets holders display, share and verify their identity details on a phone without revealing or handing over their 12-digit Aadhaar number. Users can share full or partial details, the Morung Express reported when the state notice was issued.

The state’s move, and now Kiphire’s, follows a Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) circular dated 30 April 2026, HQ-30011/3/2025-AU-HO, listed on the UIDAI circulars page. It sets out the validity of credentials shown, shared or verified through the app. The Press Information Bureau reported on the app’s rollout in May.

What is not yet clear

The press note does not give the circular’s reference number or date of issue. It also does not spell out what the “applicable verification requirements” are, or how offices and banks without verification tools should check a credential shown on a phone.

Nagaland.News will update this story if the district administration provides further details.