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Patna Govt: The administration in Patna is preparing to restart Aadhaar service centres in government schools that were earlier closed. This initiative is being taken under the guidance of the Bihar Education Project Council with the aim of making Aadhaar-related services more accessible for school-going children and their parents. By reopening these centres within school premises, the education department intends to reduce inconvenience, ensure transparency, and support smoother implementation of education-related welfare schemes before the upcoming academic session begins.

Planning and Identification of Schools

To implement this plan effectively, the District Education Office has started identifying suitable government schools in every block. As per the instructions, two schools from each block will be selected to host Aadhaar service centres. These schools will be chosen based on the availability of essential infrastructure, including uninterrupted electricity supply, secure rooms, and sufficient space to manage daily operations without disturbing academic activities.

The responsibility of shortlisting schools has been assigned to Block Education Officers. They have been directed to submit the names of eligible schools to the district authorities within the stipulated timeline. This structured approach is expected to ensure uniformity and efficiency across all blocks in Patna.

Scope of Aadhaar Services for Students

One of the major highlights of this initiative is that Aadhaar enrolment and updates will be available for children studying in both government and private schools. Although the centres will function exclusively from government school campuses, the services will not be limited to government school students alone. This inclusive approach will benefit a wider group of families who often face challenges in accessing Aadhaar services due to long queues and limited centres in urban and semi-urban areas.

Parents will be able to get Aadhaar cards made for their children or update existing details in a familiar and trusted environment. This is expected to significantly reduce dependency on private operators and cyber cafés.

Agency Selection and Operational Timeline

The District Education Office has outlined a clear timeline for the operational rollout of these centres. An authorized agency will be selected within one month through a defined process. Once the agency is finalized, it will coordinate with the Unique Identification Authority of India to complete all formalities.

Within 60 days of the agency’s selection, the Aadhaar service centres are expected to become fully functional. This timeline ensures that the centres are operational before the start of the new academic session, allowing maximum utilization by students and parents.

Lessons Learned from Past Closures

Earlier, two Aadhaar service centres had been established in schools in each block of the district. However, these centres were later shut down due to issues related to non-payment to the operating agency. Additionally, complaints were received alleging that some operators were charging unauthorized fees for Aadhaar enrolment services.

These concerns prompted the education department to discontinue the services at that time. With the new plan, authorities are expected to put stricter monitoring mechanisms in place to prevent similar issues. Clear guidelines, timely payments, and better supervision are likely to play a key role in ensuring the long-term sustainability of the centres.

Benefits for Students and the Education System

The reopening of Aadhaar service centres in schools is expected to bring multiple advantages for students, parents, and the education department. Children will be able to obtain Aadhaar cards more easily, eliminating the need for repeated visits to distant centres. This convenience is especially important for younger students.

Linking Aadhaar with bank accounts will also help families receive benefits from government schemes without delays. For the education department, Aadhaar verification will support accurate identification of students and help streamline administrative processes. It will further simplify the registration of enrolled students on official education portals, reducing data discrepancies and improving planning.

Strengthening Access and Transparency

Overall, this initiative reflects a focused effort to strengthen access to essential identity services while maintaining transparency and accountability. By leveraging existing school infrastructure, the administration aims to create a reliable system that supports both educational and social welfare objectives. If implemented effectively, the Aadhaar service centres in schools could serve as a model for other districts as well.