Village women stand in a queue to get themselves enrolled for the Unique Identification (UID) database system at Merta district in the desert Indian state of Rajasthan on February 22. In a more ambitious version of programmes that have slashed poverty in Brazil and Mexico, the Indian government has begun to use the UID database, known as Aadhaar, to make direct cash transfers to the poor, in an attempt to cut out frauds who siphon billions of dollars from welfare schemes.

A villager goes through the process of eye scanning for Unique Identification (UID) database system at an enrolment centre.

A villager goes through the process of a fingerprint scanner for the Unique Identification (UID) database system.

A general view of an enrolment centre for the Unique Identification (UID) database system is pictured at Merta district in the desert Indian state of Rajasthan.

Ghewar Ram (R), 55, and his wife Champa Devi, 54, display their Unique Identification (UID) cards outside their hut in Rajasthan.