UPSC CSE Prelims
Question 74
Consider the following statements:
- Aadhaar metadata cannot be stored for more than three months.
- State cannot enter into any contract with private corporations for sharing of Aadhaar data.
- Aadhaar is mandatory for obtaining insurance products.
- Aadhaar is mandatory for getting benefits funded out of the Consolidated Fund of India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
View correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: B
Correct Option: B (2 & 4 only)
Explanation: The 2020 legal framework restricted Aadhaar data disclosure and required Aadhaar authentication for certain Consolidated-Fund benefits, while neither a universal three-month metadata limit nor mandatory Aadhaar for every insurance purchase existed.
Statement / Pair / Item-wise Analysis:
1. Incorrect - The relevant Aadhaar data-retention arrangements are not a blanket three-month maximum on all metadata.
2. Correct - The Aadhaar Act places statutory restrictions on sharing authentication/identity data with private entities; the exam treats State-private sharing contracts as barred.
3. Incorrect - Aadhaar is not universally compulsory simply to purchase insurance.
4. Correct - Section 7 can require Aadhaar or approved alternatives for benefits funded from the Consolidated Fund of India.
Option-wise Analysis:
A. Incorrect-includes incorrect item 1 (The relevant Aadhaar data-retention arrangements are not a blanket three-month maximum on all metadata); omits correct item 2 (The Aadhaar Act places statutory restrictions on sharing authentication/identity data with private entities; the exam treats State-private sharing contracts as barred).
B. Correct-includes all and only valid statements/items 2, 4.
C. Incorrect-includes incorrect item 3 (Aadhaar is not universally compulsory simply to purchase insurance); omits correct item 2 (The Aadhaar Act places statutory restrictions on sharing authentication/identity data with private entities; the exam treats State-private sharing contracts as barred); omits correct item 4 (Section 7 can require Aadhaar or approved alternatives for benefits funded from the Consolidated Fund of India).
D. Incorrect-includes incorrect item 1 (The relevant Aadhaar data-retention arrangements are not a blanket three-month maximum on all metadata); includes incorrect item 3 (Aadhaar is not universally compulsory simply to purchase insurance); omits correct item 4 (Section 7 can require Aadhaar or approved alternatives for benefits funded from the Consolidated Fund of India).
Review note: Legal qualifications: Section 7 provides for alternative identification where an Aadhaar number is not yet assigned; statement 2 is broader than the precise statutory restrictions.