GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
Ministry of Home Affairs

 RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1608
ANSWERED ON THE FEBRUARY 5, 2014 / MAGHA 16, 1935 (SAKA)

 QUESTION
Issuance of Identity Cards Based on National Population Register (NPR)

1608. SHRI RAJEEV CHANDRASEKHAR: 

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state; 

(a)   the status of issuance of identity cards based on the National Population Register (NPR) till date along with the details thereof; 

(b)   whether Government intends to issue identity cards for all citizens against the NPR; and 

(c)    the proposed timeline for the same?

ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI R.P.N. SINGH)

 (a) to (b): The Government has decided to create a National Population Register (NPR) by collecting information on specific characteristics of all usual residents in the country. The NPR would include citizens as well as non-citizens. It would have photographs, 10 finger prints and 2 IRIS prints of all usual residents who are of age 5 years and above. Financial proposals for the issuance of Resident Identity (smart) Cards (RICs) to all usual residents who are of age 18 years and above has already been appraised by the Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) and recommended. The Cabinet considered the matter on 31.01.2013 and referred it to Group of Ministers (GoM). Two meeting(s) on 13.03.13 and 26.04.2013 of the GoM have since been held without any decision.

 (c): Does not arise in view of the above reply.