Introduction |
The Union Government of India
is contemplating preparation of a National Register of
Indian Citizens and issue of Multi-purpose National Identity Cards (MNICs)
based on this register.
The main purpose of this project, to be known as, Multi-purpose National Identity
Card project is to
provide a credible individual identification system and simultaneous use for
several multifarious
socio-economic benefits and transactions within and outside the Government.
This would form the
basis of more efficient e-Governance.
The system envisages preparation of a computerized National Register of Indian
Citizens
(NRIC), providing a unique National Identity Number (NIN) to each citizen of
the country and issue
of identity cards. The NRIC would be continuously updated by linking it to
the registration of births
and deaths carried out under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969.
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Legal Framework |
The Citizenship (Registration of Citizens
and Issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003
are being notified.
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Procedure |
The initial NRIC will be built from
the initial Local Register of Indian Citizens (LRIC), which
will be based on a census type exercise to be conducted throughout the country
during a specified
period. The baseline exercise would involve a systematic listing of houses and
households followed
by canvassing of the schedule for preparation of Population Register. After Population
Register
Schedules are canvassed, the data entry of Population Register would be done.
The following
details are expected to be included in the NRIC/ MNIC:
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National Identity Card Number (NIN)
01. Name (including surname, if any)
02. Sex
03. Father’s name in full
04. Mother’s name in full
05. Date of birth (actual or declared)
06. Place of birth
07. Marital status
08. Name of the spouse in full (if ever married)
09. Present residential address
10. Permanent residential address
11. Visible identification mark
12. Photograph
13. Finger Biometrics
14. Date of registration
15. Date of issue
16. Date of expiry
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This data would be printed in a pre
formatted verification form and handed over to the
verification team through the supervisor. The main responsibility of the verification
team will be to
ascertain the citizenship status of each individual by following a prescribed
procedure. The adult
individual will sign the verification form certifying that her/his personal details
and the photograph
are correct. In case of dependents it will be the responsibility of the head
of the family to sign the
verification form. The verification team would give a recommendation regarding
the Citizenship
Status of the individual. The final decision in this regard would be taken by
the sub-divisional
Magistrate.
After publication of draft Local Register of Indian Citizens (LRIC) four week’s
period would
be given for inviting objections. As stated earlier after the objection period
is over the final LRIC will
be prepared leaving out those whose inclusion have met with objection. These
objections will be
cleared after due process of enquiry etc.
There will be a reference date for initialization for the NRIC. Any birth to
an Indian citizen or
any death of an Indian citizen after the date of initialization will be accounted
for in the NRIC only
through the information obtained from the system of registration of births and
deaths.
The NRIC will be maintained at the centre by the National Office of Citizen’s
Registration.
This will be continuously updated mainly through the system of registration of
births and deaths.
The Registrars of births and deaths will send relevant extracts from the births
and deaths register
periodically to the MNIC Centre to be permanently located at sub-district or
sub-town areas. The
updating of NRIC would also include updating of change in address, marital status,
name, etc.
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Use of MNIC scheme |
The NRIC, the NIN and the MNIC would
improve e-governance leading to quick and hassle
free service for the citizens. This would also improve security cover in the
country.
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Pilot Project |
The Government has decided to conduct
a pilot for the MNIC Project in selected areas of 13
districts in thirteen states/union territories in the country.
The pilot aims at providing the following benefits:
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a) A credible individual identification system
b) Speedy and efficient transactions between the individual and the service provider
(government and non-government)
c) User friendly interface between the citizen and the government
d) Improvement in services to the people in ‘Below Poverty Line’ (BPL)
or ‘Above Poverty Line’ (APL) categories
e) Deterrent for future illegal immigration
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