Use OTP from Dec 1 to link Aadhaar-mobile SIM. Here’s how you can do it

Updated: Nov 04, 2017 | 15:15 IST | Source - ET Now Digital

    

Aadhaar-based e-KYC is essential for subscribers going for new SIMs

Mumbai: Come December 1, and you need not have to visit the store of your telecom provider to link your 12-digit Aadhaar with mobile SIM.

In a major relief, the Unique Identification Authority has said customers can start linking their mobile number with Aadhaar using a one-time password from 1 December.

The UIDAI took to the Twitter and wrote, "By 1 Dec 2017, you can also choose to verify your mobile SIM with Aadhaar without giving your biometrics to Telecom Service Providers."

By 1 Dec 2017, you can also choose to verify your mobile SIM with Aadhaar without giving your biometrics to Telecom Service Providers. pic.twitter.com/zcCKYbYgwP

— Aadhaar (@UIDAI) November 2, 2017

Meanwhile, with linking of Aadhaar with mobile SIM made compulsory, the government has simplified the process to link the 12-digit Unique Identity Number or UID.

The government has introduced three new methods, including through one-time password (OTP), to ease the process of linking the Aadhaar identity number with individual mobile numbers.

Subscribers can verify or re-verify their mobile numbers from anywhere in the country irrespective of which service area their mobile connection belongs to.

For the convenience of senior citizens, DoT has also recommended for the re-verification at subscribers' doorstep. Telecom operators are directed to offer verification facility to subscribers at their doorsteps for the convenience of those with disability, illness or old age.

All the telecom operators have been directed to build an online mechanism – which can be through the website or any other means – to request such service.

Here's how you can link Aadhaar with mobile SIM via OTP:

1. Subscribers will enable a scheme to use OTP-based verification for mobile users through SMS or voiced-based IVRS call or via the mobile app.

2. Subscribers need to message Aadhaar number from their registered mobile numbers.

3. The service providers will then do a demographic verification of the number.

4. After the verification process, the service provider will send OTP request to UIDAI.

5. UIDAI will send the OTP to the mobile number

6. The user will send this OTP to the registered mobile number

7. The e-KYC verification process is complete

This will be useful for people who face a problem with fingerprint authentication, owing to poor fingerprint quality, disability or old age.

Aadhaar-based e-KYC is essential for subscribers going for new SIMs. Further, the government has asked mobile operators to re-verify existing prepaid and postpaid customers, with the help of the 12-digit unique identity number. The re-verification exercise is scheduled to be completed by early 2018. The Indian telecom market with a subscriber base of over a billion is second-largest in the world after China.