GD Topic: Aadhaar Linking - Is making Aadhaar mandatory a good idea?

There has been a lot of debate around Aadhar linking in the past few years. Is making Aadhar mandatory a good idea? Let's discuss this topic for MBA Group Discussion.

By Aritro Dasgupta

MBA aspirants often put off their guard once the MBA entrance exam results have been declared. But the real test begins thereon. The challenge to prepare and perform well in personality assessment rounds like group discussion (GD) and personal interview (PI) remains. A GD typically pits in any trending topic of strategic importance for the students to debate on. Sometimes, the GD topic could also be an abstract one.

Among current trending topics, economy, sports, culture, polity and business are most frequently used. One such topic that may be of much importance to the GD rounds in MBA admissions 2019-2020, could be about the concept of Aadhar linking, as the government had made mandatory. There are several points in support of this initiative, but also some that go against the same. Students are free to use their choice of judgement. They need to logically and factually justify their viewpoints. In fact, they could even remain neutral, by imbibing positives and negatives on both sides of the divide.

Let us take a look at both the pros and the cons of this idea on Aadhar linking, as proposed by the government.

For the Motion

Following are some points in support of this initiative:

1. It adds several layers of security that will be more difficult now for hackers to breach in to.
2. A highly credible body designed the Aadhar as it was the brainchild of Nandan Nilekani, the co-founder of IT giant Infosys. The organization UIDAI (Universal Identification Authority of India) has taken strenuous steps to ensure the usage safety.
3. The Aadhar can work like the Social Security number in the USA. Thus, it can be used as a single link for all kinds of investments and activities. This will ease the business processes.
4. A lot of fraud has been noticed in the past during the execution of government projects. This can now be better controlled by the use of a single Aadhar Card. Lesser educated or even illiterate people staying in remote regions, no longer need to worry about multiple verifications. The Aadhar has been seen to be highly effective in the implementation of the DBT (Direct Benefits Transfer).
5. The Aadhar linking can also make life much easier of NRIs (Non-Resident Indians) and OCIs (Overseas Citizen of India). They can now proactively make personal investments in their home country, with greater ease and convenience.

Against the Motion

There are also some points that may be used to justify not going for such an alignment. They may be as follows:

1. While it is true, that a highly respectable name such as Nandan Nilekani has been involved in this process, the safety of one’s personal information cannot yet be guaranteed. Leaks may still occur. Now, more number of people will be having access to the personal data, through a single alignment.
2. What is especially concerning is the security of data in relation to the petty officers, and the kind of access all and sundry would be having.
3. Several cases of harassment have been documented regarding the social security number in the USA. So, the American example isn’t an appropriate one for many.
4. Beyond any real risks, this link breaches the trust that an average human being has about personal data. There is a difference between secrecy and privacy. One merely may wish to keep things private, even if there is nothing to hide.
5. Cases were recorded of several illiterate, semi- literate or NRIs struggling at the Aadhar linking or for their KYC (Know Your Customer) process.

Ultimately the Supreme Court of India, decided against making the Aadhar linking to all investments and documents mandatory. While many people have already done so, those who have not yet interlinked all documents to Aadhar, need not do so any more now. The judgement by the then Chief Justice, JS Khehar ruled that the Right to Privacy is a Fundamental Right, under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. He headed a nine-judge bench to look in to this matter. This verdict applies not only to mandatory Aadhar linking, but also to other aspects that may lead to compromise on personal data. One good example of that is social media.

Thus, the top social media players such as Facebook, along with its acquired entities of Instagram and WhatsApp, as well as search engines like Google will need to abide by this.

There are compelling reasons on both sides of the divide for students to choose, as long as they do not resort to mere emotional rhetoric. To prove one’s point, citing of data released by credible sources. They would do well to focus on the 4 Cs of Group Discussions - Content, Collaboration, Communications and Clarity.

About the Author:

Aritro Dasgupta is a Teacher, Trainer and Content Writer. He has taught at several leading colleges and coaching institutes in both India and the UAE. Several of his students have finished in the top 10 of various national level exams such as CLAT, AILET and DUJAT. He is also a prolific content writer, having written for several leading publications in India, while currently, also working for one in the USA.

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