Nagaland's first Aadhaar Seva Kendra opens in Dimapur, bringing Aadhaar enrolment, updates and correction services closer to residents statewide.
DIMAPUR — Nagaland's first Aadhaar Seva Kendra (ASK) was inaugurated in Dimapur on Friday, bringing comprehensive Aadhaar enrolment, update and correction services closer to residents who previously had to travel outside the state for several services.
Advisor for Tribal Affairs and Election, H Tovihoto Ayemi, inaugurated the centre as the special guest at H Apartment, 1st Floor, Purana Bazaar, Dimapur.
Speaking at the inaugural programme, Ayemi described the opening of the centre as a long-awaited milestone for Nagaland, saying it would significantly improve access to Aadhaar-related services across the state.
Highlighting the importance of Aadhaar, he said that it has become an essential identity document for every citizen and is particularly important for children, who are required to undergo Mandatory Biometric Updates (MBU) at the ages of five and 15. He noted that Aadhaar is indispensable for school admissions, scholarships, entrance examinations and access to various government services.
Expressing concern over Nagaland's Aadhaar enrolment rate, Ayemi said that the state still lags behind the national average and expressed hope that the new Aadhaar Seva Kendra would improve enrolment while providing comprehensive Aadhaar services under one roof.
He pointed out that many residents have had to travel to Guwahati in Assam for Aadhaar updates and corrections that could not be processed locally, resulting in inconvenience, additional expenses and loss of time. With the establishment of the Aadhaar Seva Kendra in Dimapur, he said, such hardships would be substantially reduced.
Ayemi assured that the state government would extend all necessary support to ensure the centre functions efficiently and makes Aadhaar enrolment and update services more accessible and convenient for the public.
He also urged officials at the centre to guide citizens properly and ensure that services remain transparent, efficient and hassle-free. He stressed that appointments, whether booked online or offline, should be handled smoothly without unnecessary delays.
Addressing the gathering, Deputy Director General (DDG) at UIDAI Regional Office, Guwahati, Ngachan Zimik, said that the Dimapur Aadhaar Seva Kendra is the first of its kind in Nagaland and one of the largest and best-designed Category ‘C’ Aadhaar Seva Kendras in the Northeast.
He noted that while Aadhaar coverage across the country stands at around 99%, Nagaland has achieved only about 67% enrolment, and urged the state and district administrations to accelerate enrolment efforts.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Col. Abhishek Koushik, Director at UIDAI Regional Office, Guwahati, along with other officials and distinguished guests.
Residents can book appointments online through the UIDAI Appointment Portal or visit the Aadhaar Seva Kendra directly for enrolment, updates and other Aadhaar-related services. The centre will operate seven days a week, except on public holidays.