UIDAI to Upgrade Aadhaar Authentication with Advanced L1 RD Fingerprint Scanners by June 2024

Transition from L0 to L1 RD Fingerprint Scanners

The UIDAI plans to make a significant enhancement for Aadhaar-based authentication applications, transitioning from L0 to L1 RD fingerprint scanners. This update will be affecting more on services like Aadhaar-enabled Payment Systems (AEPS), eKYC and attendance systems, by promising to improve accuracy and processing speed. By June 30, 2024, only L1 RD devices will be permitted, phasing out all L0 biometric devices.

 

Introduction to UIDAI's Upgrade

The introduction of L1 fingerprint scanners marks a substantial advancement in biometric technology. Unlike the older L0 optical sensors, L1 devices utilize capacitive sensors, which offer superior accuracy and faster processing. This transition is expected to significantly reduce rejection rates, thereby enhancing the reliability and efficiency of Aadhaar-based authentications.

 

Advantages of L1 RD Fingerprint Scanners

L1 fingerprint authentication provides robust security and is specifically designed for high-throughput applications such as banking, smart card data modifications, password updates, and financial management. Its advanced capability to accurately read fingerprint minutiae, including pore locations, ensures fewer mismatches and rejections.

 

The phase-out timeline for L0 RD devices is as follows:

**Device Phase-Out Schedule**

 

1. **Devices installed before December 31, 2014:**

   - These devices will be phased out by March 31, 2023.

 

2. **Devices installed before December 31, 2016:**

   - These devices will be phased out by June 30, 2023.

 

3. **Devices installed before December 31, 2019:**

   - These devices will be phased out by December 31, 2023.

 

4. **Final Phase-Out:**

   - All L0 RD devices will be phased out by June 30, 2024.

 

Enhanced Security Features of L1 Devices

L1 devices improves in security by using biometric encryption and signing in a Trusted Execution Environment (TEE). This ensures that the private keys cannot be accessed or tampered by the host operating system, and providing high level of security for biometric data.

 

Phase-out Timeline for L0 RD Devices

As per a UIDAI circular, all L0 devices will cease functioning from July 1, 2024. To continue using RD services, users must transition to L1 devices. For more details, visit the official website of UIDAI.

 

Conclusion

In consequence, the UIDAI's decision to upgrade Aadhaar authentication with L1 RD fingerprint scanners makes up a huge  move in biometric technology. This change promises to increase accurateness, speed, and security for Aadhaar services, which will be more easy to operate for users across various  platforms.