The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), Regional Office, Chandigarh, actively participated in the Regional Cybersecurity and AI Summit held today at the Taj Hotel, Chandigarh. The event, organized by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), drew a packed audience comprising cybersecurity experts, technocrats, government officials, and industry leaders.
Sh. Paviter Singh, PCS, Director, Department of Industries, Chandigarh Administration, inaugurated the summit with a compelling address, underscoring the crucial role of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence in strengthening digital governance and safeguarding national data infrastructure. The summit featured prominent speakers, including Commodore (IN) Sh. Dheeraj Sareen; Ms. Debashree Mukherjee, Associate Director, PwC; and Sh. Prashant Khurana, Senior Associate, AZB & Partners. The panelists shared thought-provoking insights on the convergence of data protection, AI, and India’s evolving digital policy landscape.
A key highlight of the summit was a dedicated session on the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, which sparked vibrant discussions among participants. UIDAI officials were prominently present during the session, including Sh. Jagdish Kumar, Sh. S.K. Kothari, Col. H.S. Kapoor, Sh. Sachin Kumar (Project Manager), and Sh. Pankaj Sharma (IEC Manager).
The Deputy Director General (DDG) of UIDAI addressed the gathering and shared critical insights into Aadhaar, focusing on aspects of user consent, data protection, and the voluntary nature of Aadhaar usage. He emphasized the legal safeguards embedded in the Aadhaar framework and its alignment with the broader data protection regime in India.
The session concluded with an engaging Q&A segment, during which audience members raised several questions regarding Aadhaar’s utility, security features, and legal standing. UIDAI officials responded comprehensively, fostering public confidence through clear, factual, and transparent communication.
UIDAI’s participation in the summit reflects its continued commitment to secure digital governance, public engagement, and responsible Aadhaar implementation in line with emerging technologies and regulatory developments.