The Global and the Local: Tracing the Trajectory of the Largest Biometric Identity Program

How did the largest national biometric identity program chart a successful trajectory for itself? We employ the actor-network theory in a novel case of unprecedented scale to trace the trajectory of a complex government program in India. The program created a huge local network of human actors and technical artifacts and their resultant actions shaped the interests of the global network positively, thus managing the political support and flow of funds for the project. Modern strategies of minimalist design, open application program interfaces, and the fast pace of implementation strengthened the position of the program as the obligatory passage point.