The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), is an agency of the Government of India responsible for implementing the AADHAAR scheme, a unique identification project. It was established in February 2009, and will own and operate the Unique Identification Number database. The authority aims to provide a unique id number to all Indians, but not smart cards. The authority will maintain a database of residents containing biometric and other data. br br The agency is headed by a chairman, who holds a cabinet rank. The UIDAI is part of the Planning Commission of India. Nandan Nilekani, former co-chairman of Infosys Technologies, was appointed as the first Chairman of the authority in June 2009. Vijay S Madan, belongs to the IAS Officer, joined as the Director General and Mission Director of the Unique Identification Authority of India on 1 April 2013 . He replaced Ram Sewak Sharma, who has moved to Jharkhand as the chief secretary of the state.