Understanding Aadhaar's Role in Central Schemes: Economic Survey 2022-23

The Government of India's Economic Survey is an important document that provides insights into the state of the Indian economy and its various sectors. The Economic Survey 2022-23 highlighted the significant role played by Aadhaar in enhancing the efficiency and transparency of social service delivery.

Aadhaar as an Essential Tool for Social Delivery

Aadhaar, a unique identification number, has become a cornerstone for delivering welfare benefits and subsidies directly to eligible citizens. This process, often referred to as Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), leverages the Aadhaar identity platform to ensure that funds and benefits reach the intended recipients, reducing leakages and corruption.

Section 7 of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016 is particularly relevant in this context. This section allows the government to require an individual to furnish proof of possession of Aadhaar number or undergo Aadhaar authentication to receive any subsidy, benefit, or service for which expenditure is incurred from the Consolidated Fund of India.

Number of Central Schemes Linked to Aadhaar

According to the Economic Survey 2022-23, Aadhaar is an essential tool for the social delivery of a specific number of Central Schemes that have been notified under Section 7 of the Aadhaar Act, 2016.

The survey explicitly stated that the number of such Central Schemes is 318.

This figure underscores the extensive integration of Aadhaar into the framework of delivering various government benefits and services across India, impacting a wide range of welfare programs aimed at financial inclusion, food security, pension payments, and more.

Revision Table: Key Facts on Aadhaar and Schemes

Additional Information on Aadhaar Act and DBT

The Aadhaar Act, 2016 provides the legal backing for the use of Aadhaar as a proof of identity. Section 7 is crucial as it mandates Aadhaar for accessing certain government subsidies and benefits, ensuring that these resources are targeted effectively to the beneficiaries. This has facilitated the expansion of the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system, which aims to transfer benefits directly into the bank accounts of eligible individuals, bypassing intermediaries and reducing corruption. The Economic Survey 2022-23 acknowledged the significant savings achieved through the use of Aadhaar-enabled DBT.