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.

The Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and Issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003 are being notified.

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:

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

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.

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.

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:

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