Andhra Pradesh Enables Aadhaar Authentication for Online Municipal Services
Citizens can use alternative identity documents if they do not consent to Aadhaar authentication or are unable to complete the digital verification process.
AMARAVATI, AUGUST 16, 2026: The Andhra Pradesh government has introduced Aadhaar-based authentication for online municipal services, giving Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) an additional digital mechanism to verify citizens' identities.
The Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department has issued orders allowing Aadhaar Authentication Services, including Yes/No authentication and e-KYC where applicable, through ULB online portals.
WHAT CHANGES
The initiative is intended to make online municipal transactions faster and reduce the need for citizens to repeatedly submit identity documents.
The government expects the system to help:
Reduce repetitive paperwork
Speed up online municipal transactions
Strengthen identity verification
Prevent impersonation and duplicate claims
Improve the reliability of municipal databases
AADHAAR NOT MANDATORY
The government has specifically clarified that Aadhaar authentication cannot be made a mandatory condition for accessing municipal services.
Citizens must provide their consent before Aadhaar authentication is carried out.
A person cannot be denied a municipal service merely because they:
Refuse to use Aadhaar authentication, or
Are unable to complete the Aadhaar authentication process.
In such cases, authorities must provide an alternative method for establishing identity.
ALTERNATIVE ID DOCUMENTS
The order identifies several documents that can be used for identity verification, including:
Passport
Ration card
Voter identity card
Driving licence issued by the competent authority
OFFICIAL STATEMENT
S. Suresh Kumar, Principal Secretary of the Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department, said technology should reduce the burden on citizens rather than create additional bureaucracy.
He said Aadhaar authentication would strengthen identity verification and improve municipal database reliability while safeguards would help ensure that digitisation does not exclude citizens.
IMPLEMENTATION
The framework will be implemented across municipal corporations, municipalities and nagar panchayats through the Commissioner and Director of Municipal Administration.
The move forms part of Andhra Pradesh's broader effort to expand digital municipal governance and create more streamlined and consistent citizen-service records.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
ULBs are expected to implement Aadhaar authentication through their online service platforms while retaining alternative identity-verification mechanisms for citizens who do not use or cannot complete Aadhaar authentication.
