Aadhaar and Digital Welfare Delivery in India: Inclusion or Exclusion? A Comparative Analysis with Indonesia’s e-KTP
Dr. Priyanka Dhar
Digital identity systems like India’s Aadhaar and Indonesia’s e-KTP are reshaping the way governments deliver welfare services. These biometric platforms promise to make public service delivery faster, more transparent, and more efficient by linking individuals directly to benefits through a single digital identity. As two of the most ambitious digital ID programs in the Global South, Aadhaar and e-KTP aim to cut down leakages, reduce corruption, and improve access—especially for the most vulnerable. But while the goals are ambitious, the real-world outcomes tell a more complex story.
In India, Aadhaar has indeed simplified processes for many, but it has also created new barriers for millions who struggle with authentication errors or are excluded altogether due to technological or bureaucratic glitches. Concerns around privacy, consent, surveillance, and lack of accountability continue to grow—particularly in the absence of a robust data protection law. Similar issues have emerged in Indonesia, where the e-KTP system has faced major data breaches and operational inefficiencies. In both countries, the promise of digital inclusion often clashes with the reality of exclusion, especially for those already on the margins.
This paper explores how these digital ID systems are impacting welfare delivery, focusing on the balance between innovation and inclusion. By comparing Aadhaar with Indonesia’s e-KTP, the paper critically examines the legal, ethical, and policy challenges these systems face.