What are the possible implications of making Aadhaar mandatory for booking train tickets online?

The decision to make Aadhaar mandatory for booking reserved train tickets online during the first 15 minutes can have significant implications for digital inclusion and privacy. Aadhaar, being India’s largest biometric identity system, is increasingly used for authentication in various services. This move aims to streamline ticketing and curb fraud, but it also raises concerns.

• Digital Inclusion Implications:
  • Exclusion of Non-Aadhaar Holders: People without Aadhaar, such as some migrants, elderly, or marginalized groups, may be unable to access online ticket booking in the initial window.
  • Digital Divide: Those with limited digital literacy or access to the internet might face more hurdles, especially if the system is Aadhaar-based and requires OTPs or biometric verification.
  • Accessibility Issues: Individuals facing difficulties in Aadhaar enrolment or updates (e.g., due to biometric mismatches) may be unfairly excluded from early booking opportunities.
• Privacy Implications:
  • Data Security Risks: Linking Aadhaar to travel data increases the amount of personal information stored and shared, raising concerns about data breaches or misuse.
  • Surveillance Concerns: Aggregation of Aadhaar and travel data could enable tracking of individuals’ movements, threatening privacy and anonymity.
  • Consent and Choice: Making Aadhaar mandatory reduces user choice and may force people to share sensitive data even if they are uncomfortable.
• Operational Implications:
  • System Overload: The requirement may lead to technical glitches or slowdowns if authentication servers are overloaded during peak hours.
  • Fraud Reduction: Positive impact could be seen in reducing fake bookings and tout activities due to stronger identity verification.