Living with the Aadhaar: India’s changing contours of identity and governance
- Indian Journal of Public Administration
- 70(3), Sep, 2024: p.615-620
This article explores the transformative role of Aadhaar in reshaping identity and governance in India. It examines how the biometric identity system has altered the contours of state–citizen relations, welfare delivery, and surveillance practices. Aadhaar is positioned as both a technological innovation and a governance instrument, raising questions about privacy, inclusion, and the balance between efficiency and rights. The study highlights how living with Aadhaar reflects broader shifts in India’s governance model, where digital infrastructures increasingly mediate access to welfare, citizenship, and accountability. By reassessing Aadhaar’s impact, the paper underscores the need to critically evaluate identity systems in modern governance. Reproduced
Public Policy, Aadhaar, Identity, Governance, Digital Infrastructure, India, Surveillance, Welfare Delivery, Privacy, Citizenship, State Capacity, Technology and Society