DIMAPUR: Nagaland marked a significant milestone in digital public service delivery with the inauguration of its first Aadhaar Seva Kendra (ASK) in Dimapur, a move expected to make Aadhaar enrolment and update services more accessible to residents across the state.
The state-of-the-art centre, established by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) at H Apartment, First Floor, Purana Bazaar near the Labour Office, was inaugurated by Advisor for Tribal Affairs and Election H. Tovihoto Ayemi in the presence of senior UIDAI officials and state government representatives.
Describing the inauguration as a long-awaited achievement for Nagaland, Ayemi said the facility would eliminate the need for many residents to travel outside the state for Aadhaar-related services. He noted that Aadhaar has become an essential document for accessing government welfare schemes, school admissions, scholarships, entrance examinations and other public services.
The Aadhaar Seva Kendra offers a comprehensive range of services, including new enrolments, updates to personal details such as name, address, date of birth, gender, mobile number and email, as well as biometric updates, Aadhaar printing and e-Aadhaar download. Equipped with modern, air-conditioned infrastructure, wheelchair accessibility and accessible restrooms, the centre has the capacity to process up to 250 enrolment and update requests daily. It will remain open throughout the week except on public holidays.
Speaking at the event, Ngachan Zimik, Deputy Director General, UIDAI Regional Office, Guwahati, highlighted the need to improve Aadhaar enrolment in Nagaland, where coverage stands at around 67 per cent, significantly below the national average of nearly 99 per cent. He urged citizens to complete enrolment and stressed the importance of Mandatory Biometric Updates (MBU) for children at the ages of five and fifteen to ensure uninterrupted access to Aadhaar-enabled services.
Officials also informed that the mandatory biometric update for eligible children will remain free of cost until September 30, 2026, encouraging parents and guardians to complete the process within the stipulated period.
The opening of the Aadhaar Seva Kendra is expected to strengthen digital governance in Nagaland by providing residents with faster, more convenient and citizen-friendly access to essential identity services under one roof.