Using biometric methods, including an iris scan, the system will log details of India's population of more than one billion people on a central database.
Dr. Singh and Ms. Gandhi distributed the first ten ‘Adhaar’ cards of Unique Identification Authority of India to ten residents of the tribal hamlet at a function attended by Maharashtra Governor K. Shankaranarayanan, Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Alhuwalia and UIDAI chief Nandan Nilekani.
It was launched by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress party leader Sonia Gandhi in western India.
The biometric evidence will be stored online in what will be the biggest such national database in the world.
The unique identification (UID) programme will help those in poor, marginalised communities who find it difficult to access public services and benefits because they do not have official records, officials say.
The government expects to give a UID number to every Indian citizen within five years.
Birth registration is not universal and it is hoped that the database will give an accurate picture of Indian society, correspondents say.
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