UK PM Starmer plans British Card similar to India’s Aadhaar digital ID

Following his 8-9 October 2025 visit to Mumbai, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer praised India's Aadhaar digital biometric ID system as a "massive success." He is now considering it as a model for the UK's planned digital identity programme, the "Brit Card.

- BY S VENKAT NARAYAN Our SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

Unlike Aadhaar, Brit Card will not use biometric data, and will initially target illegal employment.

While Aadhaar uses biometric data to provide welfare and services, the UK's scheme will have a different focus—initially targeting the prevention of illegal migrant workers—even as it faces significant public opposition over privacy concerns and fears of government overreach.

During his two-day trip to Mumbai, Starmer met with key figures, including Nandan Nilekani, co-founder of Infosys and a leading figure in conceptualising Aadhaar, to discuss the rapid rollout and impact of India's extensive digital ID programme.

Aadhaar, launched over 15 years ago, streamlines access to banking, welfare, and other services by assigning a unique 12-digit biometric ID number to residents.

Critics in India have pointed to data protection issues and reports of people being denied benefits or services due to lack of ID, The Guardian reported.

Despite this, the system is credited with saving the Indian economy billions in administrative costs and corruption, the report also said.

Responding to Aadhaar's criticism, a UK government spokesperson stressed that while the proposal draws lessons from India's experience, it will have a different design and will not include biometric data, The Guardian of London reported.