How to do Aadhaar e-KYC Online?

Aadhaar is one of the most vital documents today. However, the manual KYC verification can be a hectic method, given the numerous photocopies you need to provide along with self-attestation.

Aadhaar e-KYC helps minimise such hassle! This voluntary method of digital identification is much easier and faster, hence saving your crucial time.

Still new to the concept? Please go through our comprehensive guide.

Team Digit

What is Aadhaar e-KYC?
Difference Between Aadhaar e-KYC and Aadhaar Authentication
Eligibility Criteria & Documents Required
How to Complete Aadhaar e-KYC Verification Online & Offline?
Benefits of Aadhaar e-KYC
Check Your Aadhaar KYC Status
Which Organisations Use Aadhaar E-KYC?
Frequently Asked Questions

What is Aadhaar e-KYC?

Just as you need to provide your KYC documents to verify your identity, e-KYC is no different except for being a digital process. Aadhaar-based e-KYC is a paperless authentication process of an individual’s identity, carried out with his/her consent.

This involves ID verification using biometric and demographic details collected during the Aadhaar registration process, which are available in the UIDAI database.

The UIDAI already verifies such data, saving time spent on extensive paperwork and attestations. Using Aadhaar for this purpose solves the hassle of producing multiple documents for ID proof, address proof, age proof, etc., since it is a comprehensive document that is valid for all such information.

What is e-KYC Full Form?

In e-KYC, ‘e’ stands for electronic, and KYC stands for Know Your Customer. This digital process enables an organisation to verify a customer's identity online.

Difference Between Aadhaar e-KYC and Aadhaar Authentication

Many customers can confuse Aadhaar e-KYC with Aadhaar authentication since both the processes seem similar from the customer’s end. The actual functioning of these processes, however, is different.

Aadhaar authentication: This is a verification procedure that involves all biometric and demographic information on your Aadhaar card to be stored in the Central Identities Data Repository (CIDR). This vault, in turn, verifies the correctness of submitted data by cross-checking it with information available within it.

Aadhaar e-KYC: In this process, the service provider can directly access all your private information like name, address, gender, date of birth, etc., from the UIDAI database and verify it themselves to help you establish your identity.

The e-KYC via the Aadhaar card is a faster and simpler process with enhanced effectiveness. If you aren’t aware of this hassle-free procedure as of yet, here are the details.

What is the Eligibility Criteria for the Aadhaar e-KYC Process?

The eligibility criteria for the Aadhaar e-KYC process is:

The primary requirement for the e-KYC process is an Aadhaar number. This number is issued by the UIDAI ( Unique Identification Authority of India).
An Aadhaar card is issued to the Indian residents. However, an NRI may also obtain a card if he/she has stayed in India for 182 out of 365 days after the enrolment of the Aadhaar.
The Aadhaar number and mobile number must be active to complete the process.

Documents Required for Aadhaar e-KYC Process

E-KYC for Aadhaar is a digital process and does not require any other additional documents except the Aadhaar number. However, in certain instances, you may be asked to submit a passport-sized photograph.

How to Complete Aadhaar e-KYC Verification Online?

You can complete the verification process for Aadhaar e-KYC online or offline, both of which are paperless means to get the work done.

If you are wondering how to verify KYC online, there are a couple of methods to do that.

1. Via Biometrics Authentication

Customers need to go through the following procedure when opting for Aadhaar e-KYC verification via biometrics.

Step 1: Provide your Aadhaar card to your service provider. They will note your Aadhaar number or Unique Identification number (UID).
Step 2: Next, they will use a biometric scanner to capture and read your fingerprint or retinal image.
Step 3: This value is then communicated to the UIDAI, which matches this input value with the already existing value present against your Aadhaar in its database.
Step 4: Your identity will be successfully established once both the values match.

Once this verification procedure is completed, the UIDAI will give the service provider access to all your details like date of birth, address, photograph, etc.

The UIDAI also lets the agent keep a soft copy of such details in their servers, thus, allowing them to access such data as and when required.

That concludes how to do KYC online!

2. Via Mobile OTP Authentication

You can also opt for the OTP-based authentication method, which can be carried out in the following manner.

Step 1: Produce your Aadhaar card before the service provider.
Step 2: UIDAI will send an OTP on your registered mobile number.
Step 3: Now, enter this OTP in the device provided by your service provider.

After this, the UIDAI will provide your details to the agent that is similar to the biometric authentication procedure.

3. Via m-Aadhaar app

To complete the Aadhaar e-KYC process online, you need to first download the m-Aadhaar app in your phone and ensure that you have sma enabled.You need to follow these steps after that.

Step 1: Open the m-Aadhaar App and log in using your credentials.

Step 2: Navigate to the ‘Services’ tab on the home screen.

Step 3: Select the ‘paperless offline e-KYC’ under the ‘Aadhaar services’ option.

Step 4: Enter Aadhaar number and security captcha and click on ‘Request OTP’ option.

Step 5: Enter the OTP and click on ‘verify’.

Step 6: Read the information in the e-KYC document and confirm if it is correct.

Step 7: Click on ‘Share e-KYC’ option to share the document via a medium of your.

How to Complete Aadhaar e-KYC Verification Offline?

If none of the online methods is feasible, service providers can use your Aadhaar for offline KYC verification via any of the following methods.

1. By Scanning QR Code:

Service providers can use a mobile scanner to scan the QR code present on the Aadhaar card to extract all demographic information and complete the offline UIDAI KYC verification. Extracting information via this method does not require agents to access the UIDAI’s database.

2. Paperless Method of Offline e-KYC :

You can also opt for the following method to get your Aadhaar e-KYC done offline.

Step 1: Go to the official portal of the UIDAI.

Step 2: Enter your UID or VID, the security code, and click on “Send OTP.”

Step 3: Enter the OTP received on your registered mobile number and download the Aadhaar XML. It contains your details like name, gender, date of birth, address, and hashed email and mobile number, among other information. It is also digitally signed by UIDAI and is protected with a 4-character Share Code.

Step 4: You can then provide this XML file to your service provider, who will then verify your identity using the machine-readable details in the file.

This process reduces the expenses of paper-based verification and is also a faster means to complete one’s official identification.

What are the Benefits of Aadhaar e-KYC?

Besides being paperless and time-effective, Aadhaar e-KYC offers the following advantages.

Information extracted from the UIDAI’s database is already verified and needs no further authentication.
This authentication process does not involve any cost.
It is a consent-based process, i.e., the UIDAI will share your details with the requesting party only after you provide your acknowledgement of the same via biometrics or OTP.
You do not need to worry about your personal details being compromised since UIDAI only allows registered institutions and agents to access the Aadhaar KYC online verification facility. Additionally, it also verifies the biometric scanners used by service providers.
Digital documents that are provided are shared via a secure channel, which cuts out the possibility of illegal document replication.

If you want to know your eligibility status to avail of this convenient facility, there is provision for that as well.

How to Check Your Aadhaar KYC Status?

If you want to avail yourself of any financial services, you will need to comply with the KYC guidelines first. However, if you aren’t sure if you are KYC compliant or not, you can check the same in the following steps.

Step 1: Go to the official website of any KYC Registration Agency (KRA).

Step 2: Enter the details of your Permanent Account Number (PAN).

You will immediately get to know if you are KYC compliant. In case you are not, you can complete the procedure for the same via Aadhaar-based biometric.

Given the numerous Aadhaar e-KYC advantages, we understand why you might be too eager to find the steps to become KYC compliant. However, that is a topic we would like to leave for some other day!

Which Organisations Use Aadhaar E-KYC?

Several organisations now turn to Aadhaar E-KYC to verify their customers. Some of these are:

Trading accounts
LPG service providers
Banks and mutual fund houses
Railways
Stock brokers
Stock exchanges
KYC registration agencies

FAQs about Aadhaar e-KYC Online

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What can be the hindrances faced when opting for online Aadhaar e-KYC?

Service providers may face difficulty completing Aadhaar e-KYC online due to the following reasons.

Lack of technical infrastructure and necessary devices.
Inefficient internet connectivity.

In such cases, they can perform authentication offline.

Do I need to submit any physical copy of my Aadhaar card for Aadhaar e-KYC?

No, Aadhaar e-KYC is a completely paperless process and does not involve submitting any physical copy of any document, like an Aadhaar card.

How is offline Aadhaar e-KYC more effective than any other offline document verification process?

During the offline verification of any other ID proof like PAN, driving license, voter ID, or passport, there is no technical way to authenticate such document’s validity, and the customer can easily procure an undetectable fake version. On the other hand, the XML file used in offline Aadhaar e-KYC is digitally signed and secured by UIDAI. Plus, the agents can verify its contents using an XML reader to complete the procedure.

Can my service provider share my offline paperless e-KYC data with other entities?

No, private institutions and agents are legally prohibited from sharing, exhibiting, or publishing any offline e-KYC details like the XML file or Share Code. Leaking such confidential data is subject to penalty under Sections 29(2), 29 (3) and 37 of The Aadhaar Act, 2016, Sections 17 and 25 of The Aadhaar Authentication Regulation, 2016, and Sections 4 and 6 of The Aadhaar – Sharing of Information Regulation, 2016.

Is Aadhaar e-KYC mandatory?

An Aadhaar e-KYC is usually preferred for banking purposes. Hence, it is advisable to complete the Aadhaar e-KYC process. However, you may also use other valid documents that are accepted by the RBI. So, it is not mandatory to do Aadhaar e-KYC for banking purposes.

Is it possible to do e-KYC online?

Yes, it can be done online. However, it requires good internet connectivity.

Can I do Aadhaar e-KYC from my home?

Yes, the KYC can be done from home via the bank’s website or mobile app.

Is Aadhaar e-KYC safe?

Yes, the Aadhaar e-KYC is safe. It ensures the safety of individuals by preventing fraud organizations from jeopardizing their financial security.

How long does an Aadhaar e-KYC verification take?

It takes a few minutes to complete the Aadhaar e-KYC verification process. However, it might take close to ten minutes sometimes.

How can I update my e-KYC Aadhaar card?

You may update the e-KYC Aadhaar card by first logging into the online KYC portal. After that, navigate to the ‘Update KYC option’ and complete the process by uploading the scanned copies of important documents. Once the process is complete, you will receive a notification confirming the successful verification of the process.

Can I make investments without doing Aadhaar e-KYC?

No, it is mandatory to complete the Aadhaar e-KYC to make investments. It is advisable to finish the Aadhaar e-KYC first to make investments.

How to download e-KYC?

You may download the e-KYC Zip file on the UIDAI website. After that, you need to enter the Aadhaar number and captcha following which you are required to enter a four-digit unique PIN. Now, you may download the e-KYC after entering the OTP sent to your phone number.