Latest Updates on Aadhaar Card Usage for Prisoner Authentication

The central government has granted the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) the authority to implement this initiative under Rule 5 of the Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance (Social Welfare, Innovation, Knowledge) Rules, 2020, and the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016.

• This can potentially facilitate the provision of several benefits, including health services, vocational training, legal aid, and the opportunity to meet with relatives.
• The daily administrative tasks in prisons can be effectively managed and streamlined.
• Tasks such as transporting prisoners, granting them access to health facilities, parole, temporary release mechanisms, educational and vocational training, etc., can be efficiently handled.
• This initiative is a progressive move towards comprehensive prison reforms in India.

Learn more about the criminal justice system in India here.

Other challenges plaguing the Indian prison system:

• Case Backlog : There are currently over 4.7 crore cases pending in Indian courts (as of 2022). According to the National Crime Records Bureau , 67.2% of total prisoners are still awaiting trial.
• Outdated colonial-era laws are one of the reasons for the prolonged judicial processes.
• Abuse and mistreatment in prisons: Numerous cases of ill-treatment and abuse of prisoners have been reported.
• There have been several instances of custodial rapes and deaths, leading to a gross violation of prisoners' human rights.
• Overcrowding and subhuman conditions prevalent in jails.
• Lack of adequate infrastructure: Insufficient staff, poor jail conditions, and lack of security measures further exacerbate the situation.