The absence of an identifi cation infrastructure, under which every Indian has a unique identifi cation number, has been one of the biggest barriers for the poor in accessing welfare and social services effectively. The UID number that will be provided will be an enabler - a number that helps governments design better welfare programmes, enables residents to access resources more easily wherever they live, and allows agencies to deliver benefi ts and services effectively and transparently. The number will thus be an identity infrastructure, and the foundation over which multiple services and applications can be built for the resident. The article "A Unique Identity