Big Data in Indian Social Context: A Case Study of Aadhar

In the history of Indian society, the era of big data has commenced. The data is not from secondary sources but the source is the 1.2 billion citizens themselves in face to face situation. Collection and analysis of biometric identification of each and every one is creating a repository. This Big data is an attempt to convert Indian society into a system under constant observation of the government; which would have future use for the state, the non-government, the corporate, the media, political parties and the academic researchers. India is a highly diversified and unequal society where more than 70% people are living in villages, more illiterate than literate, the majority of urban population is in unorganized occupations and rural communities are engaged in agriculture and artisanship.

This paper attempts to explain the process and the problems of the big data through a case study of Aadhar. The project at the moment is generating massive amounts of data popularly called the Unique Identity Card or 'Aadhar' literally meaning ‘the base'.

Through an analysis of secondary data, mostly from media, regarding Aadhar, the paper explores the future of this unprecedented social statistical exercise. Given the massiveness, even with pitfalls that are inbuilt into collecting, recording and distributing the social data in a society like India, the paper concludes that the identity of Indians so brought online in government records would impact the future of the democratic functioning. The marginal and traditionally deprived sections including women would hopefully be participating in their life activities and life stakes consciously with a defined identity. But a question is raised that continuous updating and revising the data, even if the collection is on, would result into sophisticated statistical tools and new patterns of citizen behavior may emerge.