Aadhaar biggest beneficiary of demonetisation

December was the month that saw the highest number of enrolment in 2016. At present 110 crore (98%) of the adult population has enrolled for the Aadhaar card.

When PM Modi announced demonetisation on November 8, it impacted one and all, small industries to major sectors, and farmers to corporate employees alike and in one go brought in many changes like digital transactions, opening of bank accounts, and of course, need of the Aadhaar card.

Modi government's boost to Aadhaar-based financial transactions to facilitate cashless economy led to the enrolment of a massive number of people for Aadhaar card after demonetisation. 

According to the Times of India, the statistics provided by Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) show that in December there was 60% surge in enrolment in comparison to the previous month. In fact, December was the month that saw the highest number of enrollment in 2016. 

A senior officer of UIDAI has been quoted by the national daily as saying that in the first week of January this year, 3.63 million people have already enrolled for the Aadhaar card and adding all these numbers together, at present 110 crore (98%) of the adult population has enrolled for the Aadhaar card. 

Though this surge in Aadhaar card enrolment is said to be due to demonetisation and subsequent need of it for digital transactions and banking matters, in the recent months, Aadhaar card has been made mandatory in various other matters. 

From making Aadhaar mandatory for MGNREGS workers to CBSE making it essential to appear in JEE (Main), 2017, the government and various authorities have made this card an important ID proof for all.