Imphal, July 1, 2025: In a bid to safeguard the integrity of its identity ecosystem, the state of Manipur has implemented what is being termed as one of the most stringent adult Aadhaar issuance processes in the country, officials revealed on Tuesday.
The move follows a high-level review meeting chaired by Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at the Raj Bhavan in Imphal, where the state’s Aadhaar enrolment, update mechanisms, and related services were comprehensively evaluated.
Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Home), N. Ashok Kumar, who issued the official statement, said that the rigorous process adheres to guidelines set by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), and mandates that every adult Aadhaar application be verified and approved only at the level of the Special Secretary (Home).
One of the attending UIDAI officials remarked that Manipur’s verification process may be the toughest in the country, highlighting the state’s robust approach to prevent Aadhaar misuse or illegal acquisition by foreigners.
The verification framework is part of a broader effort to maintain the security and trustworthiness of Aadhaar as a national identity system. Officials emphasized that these protocols were crucial given the sensitive socio-political dynamics in the region.
In addition to the strict adult enrolment rules, two mandatory biometric updates - MBU-1 (age 5 - 7) and MBU-2 (post age 15) - have been rolled out to keep Aadhaar data accurate and up to date. These updates are provided free of cost and are intended to ensure seamless authentication for public services and financial transactions.
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Senior officials from the UIDAI, Social Welfare and Education departments, and the Home Department were also present at the meeting, which concluded with a renewed focus on securing digital identity systems in the state.
Manipur’s Aadhaar strategy, combining high-level scrutiny with technical safeguards, is now being viewed as a potential model for other states dealing with similar security concerns.
