Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), via a circular dated July 1, 2025, reiterated its directive to all States and Union Territories for implementing Aadhaar authentication of prison inmates and their visitors. This follows Gazette Notifications issued on March 6 and September 29, 2023, under the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016. The initiative, executed under Rule 5 of the Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance Rules, 2020, authorizes prison departments to authenticate Aadhaar details to ensure secure custody and enable eligible benefits for inmates.
The National Informatics Centre (NIC) and ePrisons have developed a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and registered as a Sub Authentication User Agency. This integration links Aadhaar with the Prisoner Identification Number (PID) on the ePrisons portal. The system facilitates biometric authentication using fingerprint devices. Upon successful matching, the system confirms authentication, enhancing record reliability and identity verification.
Despite earlier advisories, the MHA observed a lack of awareness at prison ground-level units. States and UTs have been urged to disseminate this information widely among prison officials and submit implementation status reports every three months. The communication emphasizes adherence to relevant Aadhaar use guidelines while encouraging complete utilization of this facility for both inmates and visitors.
This step is intended to improve prison administration, ensure legitimate identity tracking, and support delivery of Aadhaar-linked entitlements. Technical support for implementation is available through ePrisons. The Aadhaar linkage aims to balance security with welfare objectives in correctional institutions.
V-17013/31/2022-PR
Government of India
Ministry of Home Affairs
*****
Women Safety Division, 2nd Floor
Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium
India Gate Circle, New Delhi-110001
July 1, 2025
To
1. The Chief Secretaries of all States and UTs
2. The DG/IG of Prisons and Correctional Services of all States and UTs
Sub: Aadhaar authentication of “prison inmates” and “visitors to prison inmates” by the Prison Departments of States and Union Territories
Sir/Madam,
As you are aware, the Ministry of Home Affairs had issued two Gazette Notifications on 6th March 2023 and 29th September 2023, notifying that the Prison Departments of the States and Union Territories are allowed to perform Aadhaar authentication of prison inmates and visitors to prison inmates.
2. MHA had issued an advisory to all States and UTs on 17.10.2023 (copy enclosed) requesting them to make use of the facility of Aadhaar authentication of prison inmates and the visitors to prison inmates. Prison authorities were also requested to link the Prisoners ID with the Aadhaar number of inmates on e-prisons portal. A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) prepared by NIC/e-Prisons team for Aadhaar linking/Aadhaar authentication of prison inmates with the e-Prisons platform was also shared with the States and UTs vide letter dated 17.10.2023.
3. It has been noted that in several prisons, there is no awareness at the ground level about the above-mentioned Advisory issued by MHA. It is, therefore, requested that information relating to Aadhaar authentication of prison inmates and visitors to prison inmates may be disseminated by the DG/IG Prisons to all concerned prison officials to make them aware of this provision.
4. States and UTs are again requested to make use of the facility of Aadhaar authentication of prison inmates and the visitors to prison inmates, keeping in view the benefits arising out of such authentication.
5. States and UTs are requested to inform MHA about the status of linking of prisoners’ ID with Aadhaar and Aadhaar authentication of prison inmates and their visitors in the attached proforma on urgent basis. Information in this regard may be updated/provided every three months subsequently.
Encl.: As above.
ours sincerely,
(Arun Sobti)
Director (PR & ATC)
Phone: 23075297
Email: dspr.atcmha.qov.in
PROFORMA
Name of the State/UT:
| Number Of prisoners In State/UT
|
Number of prisoners whose prisoners’ ID has been linked with Aadhaar of Eprisons portal | Number of prisoners who have been Aadhaar authenticated | Number of visitors to prison inmates from 1.1.2024 to 30.6.2025
|
Number of visitors to prison inmates who were Aadhaar authenticated from 1.1.2024 to 30.6.2025 |
No. 17013/35/2022-PR
Government of India
Ministry of Home Affairs
***
Women Safety Division, 2nd Floor
Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium
India Gate, New Delhi-110001
October 17, 2023
To
1. The ACS/Principal Secretary/Secretary (Home/Jails) of all States/UTs
2. The DG/ADG/IG (Prisons) of all States/UTs
Sub: Aadhaar authentication of prison inmates and visitors to prison inmates by the Prison Departments of States and Union Territories
Sir/Madam,
The competent authority in the Central Government has authorized this Ministry to notify under Rule 5 of the Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance (Social Welfare, Innovation, Knowledge) Rules 2020, read with sub-clause (ii) of clause (b) of sub-section 4 of Section 4 of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016, for performance of Aadhaar authentication of prison inmates and for authenticating visitors to prison inmates. The Ministry of Home Affairs has accordingly issued the requisite Gazette Notifications in this regard, on 6th March 2023 and 29th September 2023 respectively, notifying that the Prison Departments of the States and Union Territories, are allowed to perform Aadhaar authentication of prison inmates and visitors to prison inmates. A copy each of the Gazette Notifications is attached.
2. The National Informatics Centre (NIC)/ePrisons has been registered as a Sub Authentication User Agency for facilitating the process of Aadhaar authentication of prison inmates. As per standard process involved, the National Prisons Information Portal has been mapped with the Production server.
3. NIC/ePrisons team has prepared a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) document for Aadhaar linking/Aadhaar authentication of prison inmates and visitors to prison inmates with ePrisons platform for the convenience of all Prison authorities. A copy of the SOP is attached with this letter.
4. State/UT Prison authorities are accordingly requested to make use of the facility of Aadhaar authentication of prison inmates and the visitors to prison inmates with a view to strengthening the safe and secure custody of inmates and at the same time ensuring the delivery of entitled benefits of Aadhaar to prison inmates.
5. However, while doing this, the Prison authorities shall adhere to all relevant guidelines with respect to the use of Aadhaar authentication as laid down by the Central Government from time to time and as specified in the Notifications referred to above.
Yours faithfully,
(Arun Sobti)
Director (PR & ATC)
Phone: 23075297
Email: dspr.atcmha.qov.in
Encl.: As above.
MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 6th March, 2023
S.O. 1055(E).—The Ministry of Home Affairs having been authorized by the Central Government to notify, under Rule 5 of the Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance (Social Welfare, Innovation, Knowledge) Rules, 2020 read with sub-clause (ii) of clause (b) of sub-section 4 of Section 4 of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016, performance of Aadhaar authentication of prison inmates on a voluntary basis using Yes/No authentication facility, inter-alia, for delivery of various benefits/facilities to which they are entitled, such as, correctional reform measures, health, skilling, vocational training, interview with relatives, legal aid, etc., hereby notifies that the Prisons Department of the States/Union Territories are allowed to perform Aadhaar authentication of prison inmates.
2. The Prison authorities of the States/ UTs shall adhere to the guidelines with respect to the use of Aadhaar authentication as laid down by the Central Government.
[F. No. 17013/31/2022-PR]
ARUN SOBTI, Dy. Secy.
MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 29th September, 2023
S.O. 4261(E) .—The Ministry of Home Affairs having been authorized by the Central Government to notify, under Rule 5 of the Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance (Social Welfare, Innovation, Knowledge) Rules, 2020 read with sub-clause (ii) of clause (b) of sub-section 4 of Section 4 of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016, performance of Aadhaar authentication, on a voluntary basis, for authenticating visitors to prison inmates, using Yes/No authentication facility, hereby notifies that the Prison Departments of the States/Union Territories are allowed to perform Aadhaar authentication of the Visitors to prison inmates.
2. The Prison Departments of the States/UTs shall adhere to the provisions of section 3 A and 8 of the Aadhaar Act with respect to the authentication of persons being children i.e., below 18 years of age.
3. It is further advised that all relevant provisions of the Act, the rules and regulations made thereunder, and directions issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (“Authority”) shall be complied with.
[F. No. 17013/31/2022-PR]
ARUN SOBTI, Dy. Secy.
Aadhaar Linkage Services at Prisons
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
Provided
eprisons
Prepared For:
Prison Departments of States
National
Informatics
Centre
National Informatics Centre
Ministry of Communications & Information Technology,
New Delhi
Table of Contents
1. Executive Summary………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 4
2. Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)……………………………………………………………………………………. 4
3. Abobt Aadhaar & UIDIA……………………………………………………………………………………………… 4
4. About National Informatics Centre (NIC)……………………………………………………………………….. 5
5. About ePrisons Platform…………………………………………………………………………………………….. 6
6. Aadhaar Linkage Services at Prisons…………………………………………………………………………….. 6
6.1 Prisoner Aadhaar Linking•…………………………………………………………………………………………… 6
6.2 Prisoner Aadhaar Verification: …………………………………………………………………………………….. 6
6.3 Aadhaar Enrolment (If Aadhaar not available)• …………………………………………………………….. 6
6.4 Technical Requirements:…………………………………………………………………………………………….. 7
7. Process Flow……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 7
7.1 For Prisoners…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 7
7.1.1 Service Delivery Process (Admission)……………………………………………………………………….. 7
7.1.2 Service Delivery Process (Release)………………………………………………………………………….. 9
7.2 For Visitors……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 10
7.2.1 Service Delivery Process (Visit Registration)……………………………………………………………. 10
7.2.2 Service Delivery Process (Visits)…………………………………………………………………………… 11
8. Workflow at ePrisons……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 12
8.1 Login to the ePrisons system•…………………………………………………………………………………….. 12
8.2 Adhaar Services•……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 12
8.2.1 Prisoner Adhaar Linking•…………………………………………………………………………………….. 13
8.2.2 Prisoner Adhaar Verification•………………………………………………………………………………… 14
9. Technical Support……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 16
Glossary………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 16
1. Executive Summary
Prison security is one of the critical issues for the state in order to maintain law and order. With the growing prison inmate population in the country, the prison authorities are under pressure to manage them and identify their records. The identification of inmates and other stakeholders of prisons is the requirement of the day. This can be achieved by the Aadhaar based verification of the inmates.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has notified the Aadhaar usage in the Prisons of the country for the welfare purpose of the prisoners and their visitors. Accordingly, NIC developed the Aadhaar Services, integrated with the ePrisons system and made it functional in 1309 prisons out of 1378 prisons of the country.
This ePrisons integrated Aadhaar Services can be used for accurately verifying prison inmates, their visitors, reducing identity fraud within the prison system, and streamlining administrative processes related to the management of prisoners.
2. Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) discharges multifarious responsibilities, the important among them being – internal security, border management, Centre-State relations, administration of Union Territories, management of Central Armed Police Forces, disaster management, etc. Though in terms of Entries 1 and 2 of List II — ‘State List’ — in the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India, ‘public order’ and ‘police’ are the responsibilities of States, Article 355 of the Constitution enjoins the Union to protect every State against external aggression and internal disturbance and to ensure that the Government of every State is carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution. In pursuance of these obligations, the Ministry of Home Affairs continuously monitors the internal security situation, issues appropriate advisories, shares intelligence inputs, extends manpower and financial support, guidance and expertise to the State Governments for maintenance of security, peace and harmony without encroaching upon the constitutional rights of the States.
Recently, the MHA notified the usage of Aadhaar in the Prisons for their verification and various welfare services for their usage.
3. About Aadhaar & UlDIA
Aadhaar serves as a universal identity number that can be used for various identification and authentication purposes across different government and private sector services.
An Aadhaar card is a unique identification number issued to every citizen of the country. It is one of the most important documents to be submitted for a major number of purposes. Aadhaar card works as a proof of identity and hence, is mandatory for Indian citizens to have one. Anyone who fails to submit an Aadhaar card or does not carry it can restrict him/her for several activities.
UIDAI is responsible for issuing Aadhaar numbers, collecting and maintaining biometric and demographic data, and ensuring the security and privacy of Aadhaar-related information.
4. About National Informatics Centre (NIC)
National Informatics Centre (NIC) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is the technology partner of the Government of India. NIC was established in the year 1976 with the objective to provide technology-driven solutions to Central and State Governments
NIC MANDATE
- Technology partner of the Government.
- Design and Develop IT Systems for the Government.
- Provide ICT Infrastructure to the Government.
- Explore & advise on use of Emerging Technologies.
NIC developed and implemented ePrisons application software in all the states of the country with the help of the well-structured manpower deployed at the Districts and States and other technical resources hired for the same.
5. About ePrisons Platform
ePrisons is a platform of prison related services and is a part of ICJS, an initiative of MHA. This platform offers various services including a comprehensive MIS for the Prisoner management, Visitor management, Gate management, Conviction management, alerts, reports, KIOSK and various other activities related to the prisoner and prison.
This platform also offers services to external agencies like Court, Police, and Citizens through its workflow-based solutions like National prisons portal, eMulakat, eParole, eCustody, NALSA, Bail order delivery system etc.
ePrisons MIS is a comprehensive application covering working processes of various prisons across the country and it covers the entire lifecycle of the prisoner. It is an internationally acclaimed product implemented not only in all states of the India but also internationally. New modules are also integrated into the application as per the best practices requested from states and available to any state which desires to roll out such features.
6. Aadhaar Linkage Services at Prisons
As notified, the Aadhaar services are integrated in the ePrisons for Prisoners and ntheir visitors, include the following activities:
6.1 Prisoner Aadhaar Linking:
This process involves associating an inmate’s Aadhaar card details with their prison records in the database. By linking Aadhaar information, prison authorities can accurately identify prisoners and manage their records. This process helps streamline administrative tasks, enhance data accuracy, and improve overall prison management.
6.2 Prisoner Aadhaar Verification:
This refers to the process of verifying the authenticity and accuracy of an inmate’s Aadhaar details. It often involves capturing the inmate’s biometric data such as fingerprints and comparing them with the data stored in the Aadhaar database to confirm the person’s identity. Verification ensures that the Aadhaar information provided by the prisoner is valid and matches the official records, reducing the risk of identity fraud and maintaining the integrity of the prison system.
6.3 Aadhaar Enrolment (If Aadhaar not available):
If Aadhaar is not available with the prisoner, then Aadhaar enrollment for prisoners inside a jail will be done through the camps organized by the UIDAI on weekly basis. It involves the following steps: –
1. Coordination: Prison authorities work with UIDAI to set up an’ Aadhaar enrollment camp within the prison complex.
2. Enrollment: Inmates without Aadhaar visit the camp, provide biometric (fingerprints, iris scans) and demographic information. The prisoner details as provided by the ePrisons will be accepted by the UIDAI as proof of ID duly signed by the Superintendent of Pilsons.
3. Data Submission: Collected data is sent to UIDAI for verification against their database.
4. Aadhaar Generation: UIDAI generates a unique Aadhaar number if verification is successful.
5. Aadhaar Card: UIDAI prints an Aadhaar card and sends it to prison authorities.
6. Distribution: Prison authorities hand out Aadhaar cards to prisoners.
6.4 Technical Requirements:
1. Desktop / Computer Configuration:
It should be minimum 4 GB RAM, Intel or AMD processor connected with access to ePrisons portal with reasonable internet connectivity.
2. UIDAI registered and ePrisons compliant Fingerprint device. There is a requirement of minimum two Fingerprint Devices at each prison exclusively for Aadhaar related usage only.
3. Registered RD Service with device vendor (This registration needs to be renewed annually, as per UIDAI procedure) by providing the serial number.
4. Fingerprint driver and RD Service installed on the computer.
Note: The currently available devices used for ePrisons are RD 1.0 devices and they are being phased out by UIDAI in next 1 year. So, appropriate new replacement devices.
7. Process Flow
The process implemented in the ePrisons for Aadhaar authentication at two stages are given below:
7.1 For Prisoners
7.1.1 Service Delivery Process (Admission)
Aadhaar Authentication of Inmates at the time of Admission is described below. This involves information to the UIDAI to hold camps for Enrolment of the Inmates in case they don’t possess or know the Aadhaar number.
7.1.2 Service Delivery Process (Release)
Prisoner Verification (Aadhaar Verification of Prisoner at the time of attendance/ movement).
7.2 For Visitors
7.2.1 Service Delivery Process (Visit Registration)
Aadhaar Authentication of Visitors at the time of eMulakat Registration to schedule Visits or booking the VC with the registered prisoner.
Aadhaar Authentication of Visitors
7.2.2 Service Delivery Process (Visits)
Visitors Verification will be processed at the time of Visits before meeting with prisoner. Fingerprint match will allow to visit, and it is real time check with the Adhaar.
8. Workflow at ePrisons
The Users at the Prisons can follow the following steps for Aadhaar linkage of Prison Inmates, and their verification lodged in their jails.
8.1 Login to the ePrisons system:
User will log-in the ePrisons portal (https://eprisons.nic.in/State Name) using Login ID ‘and Password as provided by the state admin and select the option Adhaar Services.
8.2 Adhaar Services:
The services are marked with the Aadhaar icon. On selection of the Adhaar Services option, two services will be displayed for the authorized user as shown below:
8.2.1 Prisoner Adhaar Linking:
You need to click on “Prisoner Adhaar Linking” for linking Prisoner’s Aadhaar number with their prison records.
Note: Here you can see list of prisoners whose Aadhaar number is yet to be linked.
Upon selection of “Prisoner Adhaar Linking”. You will be redirected to the following screen:
Select prisoner by clicking on Select button. You will be redirected to following screen:
Here, you need to enter correct Adhaar No/ UID Token/ Virtual ID. Click on Capture Fingerprint & Authenticate.
The system will prompt for fingerprint. Put the finger on the fingerprint device. If Adhaar number is correct, then Message will appear “Your Aadhaar has been successfully authenticate”.
If Adhaar number is incorrect then Message will appear “Your Aadhaar authentication failed”.
8.2.2 Prisoner Adhaar Verification:
You need to click on “Prisoner Verification” for verification of the Prisoner.
Note: Here you can see list of prisoners whose Adhaar number is already linked. Upon selection of “Prisoner Aadhaar Verification”. You will be redirected to the following screen:
Select prisoner by clicking on Select button. You will be redirected to following screen:
Click on the Capture Fingerprint & Authenticate.
The system will prompt for fingerprint. Put the registered finger on the fingerprint device.
If fingerprint matches, then Message will appear “Your Aadhaar has been successfully authenticated”.
9. Technical Support
For any technical support or queries please contact ePrisons support on support:
support-eprisons@nic.in or
011-22560103 / 011-24305691.
Glossary
MHA — Ministry of Home Affairs
UIDAI- Unique Identification Authority of India Case Reference Number
NIC — National Informatics Centre
RDS — Registered Devices Services
PID — Prisoner Identification No
FPD — Fingerprint Device
