ISB Launches Digital Identity Research Initiative On Aadhar Card:- To promote an academic study of the Aadhaar card and its implications, the Indian School of Business (ISB) has launched the digital identity research initiative (DIRI) on Wednesday.

According to a statement issued by ISB, the B-school, as a part of the initiative, will engage with researchers and academic institutions in India and abroad to promote an ecosystem of research on the Aadhaar card. The impact of Aadhaar in areas like benefit transfer, financial inclusion, health care schemes, public distribution systems and policies, will be covered in the initial phase of the research.

An international development consulting organization, Omidyar Network has granted its support to DIRI. The statement said, Omidyar has extended its support through a grant of USD 2 million for a period of two years.

ISB Dean Rajendra Srivastava said “they are confident that the research will be path-breaking and translate into knowledge with immediate application for policy-makers, educators, service providers and entrepreneurs.”

“In the last 16 years, ISB has earned the distinction of being a research focused B-School and we believe that our research prowess gives us the edge to lead an initiative of this kind,” he said.

“I would like to thank Omidyar Network for supporting us in this endeavour which will contribute towards positioning India as a leader in the area of digital identity research,” Srivastava said.

UIDAI CEO Dr Ajay Bhushan Pandey, sharing his views, said, aid, “I am glad to note that the Indian School of Business (ISB) is setting up a research initiative around the important topic of digital identity in India.” A debate on the salient issues around digital identity, specifically Aadhaar, will go a long way in strengthening the efforts of the government, said Mr. Pandey.

SUPRAJA