Aadhaar verification now optional for TDR portal users in Telangana

Telangana officials have cleared the Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD) Department to employ Aadhaar checks for owners, builders and developers accessing the online Transferable Development Rights (TDR) portal. The order, dated 22 October 2026, was signed by Special Chief Secretary Jayesh Ranjan. Aadhaar can be used to sign up, log in, file TDR applications and link those forms to the state property database. It will also verify the identities of officials from the Directorate of Town and Country Planning and the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation when they work through the portal. The move is presented as a way to stop fake entries, duplicate records and other fraud, while keeping the data accurate. The system is not mandatory; the department must obtain the holder’s consent before using Aadhaar. People who refuse or cannot provide Aadhaar will still receive all services. In such cases, the department will accept other government‑issued photo IDs such as passports, voter cards, driving licences, PAN cards and any similar documents it recognises.

Context

Aadhaar is the Indian biometric ID system used for many government services. Allowing it on the TDR portal aims to tighten record‑keeping, but the voluntary rule ensures that those without Aadhaar are not left out.