The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has launched the Scheme for Innovation and Technology Association with Aadhaar (SITAA)—a nationwide initiative to strengthen Aadhaar authentication and counter threats like deepfakes, spoofing, and biometric fraud. Applications are open until November 15.
The program will connect startups, researchers, and industry experts to co-develop secure and scalable technologies around biometrics, AI-driven authentication, and privacy-preserving frameworks. UIDAI says the goal is simple yet urgent: fortify India’s digital identity backbone against fast-evolving cyber risks.
FCRF Launches CCLP Program to Train India’s Next Generation of Cyber Law Practitioners
Innovation Challenges Ahead
SITAA’s pilot phase will focus on three targeted innovation challenges:
Face Liveness Detection – AI-powered solutions to prevent spoofing through photos, masks, or deepfakes.
Presentation Attack Detection (PAD) – Research models to identify manipulative attacks in real time, using AI/ML tools.
Contactless Fingerprint Authentication – SDKs enabling secure fingerprint scans through ordinary smartphone cameras.
Each challenge is expected to produce prototypes that can integrate with Aadhaar’s national authentication framework.
Collaboration for Security and Self-Reliance
UIDAI has roped in the MeitY Startup Hub (MSH) and NASSCOM as strategic partners. MSH will provide incubation and technical mentoring, while NASSCOM will bridge collaborations with industry and global markets.
Officials describe SITAA as a cornerstone of Atmanirbhar Bharat—encouraging indigenous innovation to reduce dependence on foreign technologies and build trustworthy, future-ready Aadhaar authentication systems.
