The first batch of ID cards will come out in 12 to 18 months

Petroleum Minister Murali Deora, right, welcomes Head of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), Nandan M Nilekani, as Junior Petroleum Minster Jitin Prasad, left, looks on during a meeting in New Delhi on July 14.



Nandan Nilekani, who quit Infosys as its co-chairman to join public service, took over as chairman of of the Unique Identification Authority of India on July 14.

Nilekani plans to create a central database of names, modeled on India's electronic securities depository, and use biometrics — probably some combination of fingerprint and facial identification — to ensure that every Indian gets one and only one identification number.

The first batch of ID cards will come out in 12 to 18 months, he said, but declined to specify how long it might take to complete the rollout. The agency's initial budget is 1.2 billion rupees ($24.6 million), but the total cost will likely be far higher.He is keenly aware, however, that establishing the unique identity of 1.2 billion Indians is mind-bogglingly complex. "It keeps me awake at night, thinking what the hell have I got into," Nilekani said.