Biometric-Based Smart Cards Aim to Modernize Services and Reduce Fraud
Nepal has officially launched a nationwide digital ID program, issuing biometric smart cards to citizens in a bid to streamline public services, reduce corruption, and enable digital governance. The National Identity Card includes fingerprint, iris scan, and facial recognition data.
The initiative, backed by the Asian Development Bank and implemented by Nepal’s Ministry of Home Affairs, is expected to make access to social services like healthcare and banking more secure and efficient. The government plans to link the ID with tax records, voter rolls, and education databases.
In India and Bangladesh, where Aadhaar and NID programs already exist, policymakers are watching Nepal’s rollout to explore cross-border digital verification possibilities and regional fintech interoperability.
