In a significant move aimed at curbing identity fraud, the Ministry of Railways has issued a nationwide directive to verify passenger Aadhaar cards using the official M-Aadhaar mobile application. This measure comes in the wake of rising concerns over fake Aadhaar IDs being used for unlawful residency, travel, and employment across India.
Recent reports have revealed instances where individuals have managed to obtain and use forged Aadhaar cards as legitimate identity proof. These fake identities have been used for accessing public services, securing jobs, and even traveling across the country — posing a major threat to national security and public safety.
To address the issue, the Ministry of Railways has sent official instructions to all zones, asking them to immediately empower their ticket-checking staff with the tools to verify Aadhaar IDs on the spot.
Developed by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), the M-Aadhaar app now plays a crucial role in real-time identity verification. According to the ministry, all ticket-checking staff will be required to use the app to scan QR codes on Aadhaar cards presented by passengers.
The QR code scan instantly displays essential details including:
Full name
Photograph
Gender
Date of birth
Address
Aadhaar number
The feature works even in offline mode, ensuring that verification is possible even in remote or low-connectivity areas — a major advantage in India’s vast railway network.
Railway officials have been instructed to report any suspicious or forged Aadhaar cards immediately to the Railway Protection Force (RPF), local police, or State Railway Police. The goal is to take swift legal action against offenders, in line with provisions under the Aadhaar Act.
As per the act, anyone caught using a fake Aadhaar card or fraudulently obtaining an Aadhaar number can face serious consequences, including imprisonment and financial penalties.
All zones of Indian Railways have also been directed to train their ticket-checking personnel on how to use the M-Aadhaar app effectively. This includes downloading the app, using it for scanning QR codes, and understanding what constitutes suspicious behavior during the verification process.
The Railway Ministry emphasized that the move is not just a technical upgrade — it’s a necessary step toward safeguarding national identity systems and ensuring that public infrastructure is used only by those who are legally authorized.
This Aadhaar verification initiative by Indian Railways is part of a broader push by the government to tighten digital identity checks across sectors. As the Aadhaar ecosystem continues to be central to India’s digital governance model, protecting it from misuse has become a top priority.
Passengers are now advised to carry their original Aadhaar cards or use the digital version on the M-Aadhaar app during train journeys to avoid inconvenience. Those using forged documents will face strict consequences under Indian law.
