UIDAI Launches Aadhaar Face Authentication SDK and Sandbox

Key facts

• The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) launched a Face Authentication Software Development Kit (SDK) and a testing environment in its Aadhaar sandbox at the Global Fintech Fest 2026, unveiled by UIDAI Director Sanjeev Yadav.
• The SDK enables Aadhaar face authentication within an organisation's existing application, replacing the earlier APK model launched in 2021 that required users to download a separate application, and includes AI-based liveness detection.
• The sandbox allows developers to test their authentication software before deployment.
• UIDAI Chairman Neelkanth Mishra said UIDAI has a 10-year technology roadmap set by the Aadhaar Vision Committee and is implementing post-quantum cryptography, as public-key cryptography could become vulnerable within three to five years.
• UIDAI is building hyperscaler-like infrastructure in-house for sovereignty reasons, along with a zero trust architecture and micro-segmentation, and is exploring tokenisation for data sharing.
• UIDAI is working on global interoperability and global standards; earlier Aadhaar architects are active in 29 countries, and India and the World Bank are exploring an India-based knowledge hub.
• UIDAI is funding startups to conduct research around identity and supporting biometric research involving faces and fingerprints.