UIDAI's move to drop CSC pact for Aadhaar services sparks job loss fears

With Aadhaar services taken away, many CSC owners have now asked their staff to leave as volume of work reduced

The Unique Identification Authority of India’s (UIDAI’s) decision to not renew its agreement with common service centres (CSCs) for Aadhaar-related services could possibly hit thousands of jobs and investments worth millions.

More than 50,000 jobs could be at risk as Aadhaar enrolment and updation services contribute significantly to CSC earnings, according to officials close to the development. On average, a centre employs three to four persons. And there are around 280,000 CSCs across the country. Estimates suggest around 12,000 CSCs have been involved in Aadhaar enrolment and around 45,000 in updation work. While earlier over 27,000 CSCs were engaged in