[chdir]

Background: Almost all govt / public sector / regulated private sector services in India requires you to submit a physical proof of ID/Address (along with application forms & other essentials) e.g. bank account, mobile SIM, gas/water/electricity, credit card etc.

It's unlike US where your SSN is electronically linked to your identity & credit history and most of the above stuff can be done without any physical documents.

The Aadhar (literally means foundation) card is trying to provide a unified identification across the country. Perhaps like an SSN to some extent.