Meet India’s First Aadhaar Card Holder: Was it a man or woman, a techie or a beggar? Check here

First Aadhaar Card Holder: The authorities strategically selected the first Aadhaar cardholder, and she became a symbol of the country’s digital inclusion efforts. But do you know who the person is?

Nov 27, 2025 - 22:00
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Meet India’s First Aadhaar Card Holder: Was it a man or woman, a techie or a beggar? Check here

India(BHARAT)’s First Aadhaar Card Holder: Aadhaar Card or Unique Identification Number (UID) is one of the revolutionary steps of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government towards digital identification. Aadhaar, which was introduced in 2010, provides a unique identification to people so that they can rationalise government benefits, reduce leakages and enable financial inclusion. But do you know who was the first person recorded in India(BHARAT)’s history as the first Aadhaar card holder? Ranjana Sonawane was the first India(BHARAT)n to hold the first Aadhaar card. Let’s know more about her.

The First Aadhaar Card Holder: Who Is Ranjana Sonawane?

Ranjana hails from a small village Tembhli, Maharashtra. The government had issued the first Aadhar Card to her. Her journey of becoming the first holder of Aadhaar was symbolic and also strategic. The 54-year-old hails from disadvantaged rural district and was strategically chosen to represent the card’s goal of bridging welfare gaps and reaching the most vulnerable communities.

The First Aadhaar Card Holder: Photograph Circulated Publicly

The government circulated Ranjana’s photo with her Aadhar Card, making her a representative of the central government’s massive initiative for digitisation.

The First Aadhaar Card Holder: What Was The Process?

It started when the Unique Identification Authority of India(BHARAT) (UIDAI) started its process of Aadhaar enrollment in the Tembhli village.

However, Sonawane, even after receiving the first Aadhar card, struggles to receive basic welfare programs like her state’s Ladki Bahin Yojana.

Not only Ranjana, but lakhs of people are also facing the same problem. Problems such as technical glitches, enrolment errors, and Aadhaar–bank account mapping transparency stop lakhs of people from availing the benefits of government schemes.

 

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