UPSC Prelims 2020 Q1: Indian Polity – Constitutional & Statutory Bodies
- (a) 1 and 4 only
- (b) 2 and 4 only
- (c) 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3 only
Answer: (b) 2 and 4 only
Explanation
Aadhaar Data Storage & Mandatory Use: Legal Framework
| Statement | Claim | Verdict | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aadhaar metadata cannot be stored for more than three months | FALSE | Aadhaar Act, 2016 Section 33 does not specify a three-month storage limit on metadata. UIDAI can store metadata as required for its operations and authentication. |
| 2 | State cannot contract with private corps for Aadhaar data sharing | TRUE | Aadhaar Act Section 29 restricts data sharing. State can share with authorized agencies only, NOT with private corporations for commercial purposes. |
| 3 | Aadhaar mandatory for insurance | FALSE | Aadhaar is NOT mandatory for obtaining insurance. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) does not require Aadhaar - only for tax filing and welfare schemes. |
| 4 | Aadhaar mandatory for Consolidated Fund benefits | TRUE | Under Aadhaar Act Section 7, Aadhaar is mandatory for accessing welfare benefits funded out of the Consolidated Fund of India (e.g. Direct Benefit Transfer, subsidies, pensions). |
Statements 2 and 4 are correct. Answer: (b).
Answer: (b) 2 and 4 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Statement 1 is wrong (no three-month storage limit in law). Statement 4 is correct.
- (b) CORRECT. Statements 2 and 4: State can share Aadhaar data only with authorized bodies (not private corps). Aadhaar IS mandatory for Consolidated Fund benefits. Statements 1 and 3 are wrong.
- (c) Incorrect. Aadhaar is not mandatory for insurance - option 3 is wrong.
- (d) Incorrect. Statements 1, 2 and 3 contain wrong claims.
Key point
Aadhaar Act 2016: Metadata storage NOT limited to 3 months (Statement 1 wrong). State CANNOT share with private corps (Statement 2 correct). Aadhaar NOT mandatory for insurance (Statement 3 wrong). Aadhaar IS mandatory for Consolidated Fund benefits (Statement 4 correct). Answer: 2 and 4 only.
Remember
Aadhaar is mandatory for accessing benefits funded from the Consolidated Fund of India (pensions, subsidies, DBT) but NOT for insurance. The State cannot share Aadhaar data with private corporations. Statements 2 and 4 are correct.
Common mistakes
- Confusing Aadhaar with PAN/TAN. Insurance does not require Aadhaar - tax filing and welfare do.
- Assuming metadata can be stored only temporarily. Law does not impose a specific 3-month limit.
- Missing Section 29 of Aadhaar Act which restricts private sector data sharing.
Exam tip
Aadhaar mandatory for: Government welfare (NREGA, MGNREGA, Direct Benefit Transfer). NOT mandatory for: Insurance, banking accounts (though desirable for KYC), private sector. Aadhaar Act Section 29 = restricted data sharing only with authorized govt agencies.
Sources
- Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016 - Sections 29 and 7
- UIDAI - Data Privacy and Protection Guidelines