Sri Vijaya Puram, Mar 20 (PTI) The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) on Friday commended the Andaman and Nicobar administration for its performance in mandatory biometric updates and adult enrolment verification.

Speaking to PTI, UIDAI chief executive officer Bhuvnesh Kumar, who is on an official visit to the archipelago, said the Union Territory has been among the best performers in several key parameters.

UIDAI is responsible for issuing Aadhaar numbers, managing Aadhaar database, and ensuring the security and authentication of identity information.

"The UT has done exceptionally well in mandatory biometric updates and adult enrolment verification. It is also the only state or UT to have completed verification of residents above 100 years of age," he said.

He acknowledged logistical challenges unique to the archipelago, including difficult terrain and connectivity constraints, which affect service delivery.

"We discussed these issues in detail with district officials and proposed solutions to ensure Aadhaar services reach every resident efficiently," he said, adding that coordination between UIDAI and the local administration would be key.

"The Aadhaar ecosystem has evolved significantly since the first ID was issued in 2010, with over 143 crore Aadhaar numbers now generated across India," Kumar said.

The CEO also highlighted the recently launched Aadhaar mobile application, which allows residents to manage their identity digitally and access services without visiting enrolment centres.

On cyber security, he said, "We have rolled out of UIDAI's 'bug bounty programme' aimed at enhancing cyber security. Under the initiative, 20 vetted ethical hackers have been engaged to identify vulnerabilities in Aadhaar's public-facing applications." He also urged parents and educational institutions to ensure timely biometric updates for children, warning that delays could lead to authentication issues in examinations and welfare schemes. PTI SN MNB