The Appropriated Body: Biometrics Regime, The Digital State and Healthcare in Contemporary India

Abstract The sheer size of the Indian population and its presence in a gigantic biometrics database has made possible appropriation control millions bodies on an everyday basis. It is being done at different levels by players operating Digital State, with markets‐based approach aiming to provide governance development entitlements, healthcare one among them. However, receiving end this appropriative force are 22 percent below poverty line (BPL) population, accounting for around 300 million people living less than 1.25 dollars per day. These tend be facing double jeopardy historical‐social‐economic inequalities negotiating biometric means accessing entitlements. Specifically, refers arduous process proving one's 'mistrusted' self able enter availing medical treatment. Based qualitative fieldwork Jharkhand Delhi, paper argues that very biometrics‐based access appropriates BPL families even before they get any Findings reflect (technological) identifying mistrusted populations adds existing social inequalities.