From the next academic session, students in state-run schools in Uttar Pradesh will learn about Aadhaar, the 12-digit unique identification number that serves as identity and address proof for Indian residents.

In principle, the basic education department has agreed with the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) Lucknow to include an Aadhaar chapter in school textbooks.

In a recent meeting with UIDAI officials, director general of school education Vijay Kiran Anand requested a formal proposal for the inclusion of Aadhaar and related information in order to obtain government approval.

“General information on Aadhaar such as its benefits and usages should be known to children. We will implement Aadhaar related information in our textbooks from next academic session,” said Anand.

"It is necessary for kids to be made aware of the process of Aadhaar enrolment of children, which is different from adults," said Lt Col Prashant Kumar Singh, Deputy Director General, UIDAI Lucknow. We are attempting to raise awareness of Aadhaar, its usage, and features by including a chapter in textbooks. This is also significant because children benefit from several government programmes, such as free uniforms and mid-day meals, by providing Aadhaar information."

"As a result, biometric data like fingerprints and iris scans aren't stored in a child's Aadhaar database." "Once a child reaches the age of five, it is mandatory for them to update their biometrics in Aadhaar," he explained.

The UIDAI team has also given an option of printing the Aadhaar details on the inside cover pages of school textbooks and notebooks, if a full-fledged chapter can’t be added.