The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has launched a pioneering initiative called Scheme for Innovation and Technology Association with Aadhaar (SITAA) to combat the rising threat of deepfakes and biometric spoofing in India’s digital identity ecosystem. Announced in October 2025, SITAA invites startups, academia, and industry players to develop cutting-edge AI-powered solutions that enhance the security and reliability of Aadhaar face authentication.
The program focuses on three core challenges: real-time face liveness detection to prevent spoofing through photos, videos, masks, or deepfakes; presentation attack detection leveraging advanced AI/ML to identify print, replay, morphing, and adversarial attacks; and contactless fingerprint authentication using smartphone cameras to enable secure, affordable biometric verification.
UIDAI aims to bolster biometric defenses against increasingly sophisticated fraud attempts while reducing dependency on foreign technology, aligning with India’s digital public infrastructure vision. The initiative also emphasizes privacy-compliant solutions that ensure seamless user experiences across diverse demographics and devices.
Supported by MeitY Startup Hub and NASSCOM, SITAA offers mentoring, incubation, and global industry linkages to accelerate the development and adoption of indigenous identity tech innovations.
As biometric fraud surges globally, UIDAI’s SITAA sets a new benchmark for securing national identity platforms with AI-driven, real-time attack detection—crucial for protecting millions of users relying on Aadhaar for authentication in government and private sector services. This marks a critical step in safeguarding India’s digital future against deepfake and biometric compromises.
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