The Department of Education of Karnataka Puts Online The Details of Aadhaar of 5,000 Scholars

In a major data leak, the state education department posted on its website the Aadhaar numbers of 5,375 meritorious students who obtained the National Media Merit Scholarship (NMMS) in March 2019.

The State Education Research and Training Department (DSERT), a wing of the department of education, also published the mobile numbers and caste details of all the students of the state elected for the government scholarship. central. Provides Rs 12,000 per year for five years to class 8 students from assisted and governmental schools who qualify for the NMMS entrance exam.

Sources in the education department told TOI that the students' Aadhaar details are linked to the Student Achievement Tracking System and, therefore, the data appeared on a PDF page. A scholarship fund of Rs 1,000 goes every month to the bank account of students who deserve it. "We had no idea that these crucial data would be publicized," lamented the teachers, who prepared the students for the test.

When TOI alerted the officials of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) at the regional office in Bengaluru, the authorities first said that a communication would be sent to the education department to remove the data. TOI also shared the downloaded files with the Aadhaar numbers with UIDAI. Around 5 o'clock in the afternoon, the department eliminated the Aadhaar numbers and mobile phone numbers. However, the details of the caste continued online.

"A Bengaluru team constantly checks if any website or domain has Aadhaar data. This we did not know. Currently, Aadhaar numbers are not displayed on the education department's website. However, we will recommend to the office in question that it be more diligent in future publications, "said Ashok Lenin, deputy director, UIDAI, regional office, Bengaluru. "After TOI asked the questions, the higher authorities instructed the staff to eliminate the data," the education department officials confirmed.

SR Umashankar, chief secretary of the department of primary and secondary education, said he will investigate the matter, while HN Gopalakrishna, director of DSERT did not respond to calls and text messages.

By: Preeti Narula

Content: https://m.timesofindia.com/city/bengaluru/education-dept-posts-aadhaar-details-of-5k-students-on-website/amp_articleshow/68913053.cms