Aadhar-based online verification facility for mobile connections

Those with ‘Aadhar’ numbers issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) would soon be able to benefit from the online verification facility while seeking mobile connections.

Companies would use the online service to fulfil the requirements of KYC (know your customer) norms with the help of ‘Aadhar’ information. The UIDAI is launching a pilot project in Delhi and a few other cities with the Department of Telecom (DoT) to test this facility and also expand it to other areas. Aadhar records, associated with an individual’s identity and address, has been approved for completion of KYC norms by the telecom companies.

The authority is currently working on three other pilot projects for providing online facilities based on Aadhar records. Under a pilot project in Tumkur district of Karnataka, three banks are working on opening accounts with Aadhar information as fulfilment of KYC norms.

Another pilot project is being conducted with the help of ministry of petroleum and natural gas, and oil marketing companies for providing LPG connections to Aadhar card holders. A pilot project is also being run in Jharkhand for payments to National Rural Employment Guarantee Act beneficiaries.

These pilot projects are expected to turn Aadhar into a quick mode for verification in the delivery of services in banking, telecom, and others.