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EXPLAINED · KYC & IDENTITY

What is Aadhaar eKYC?

Short answer

Aadhaar eKYC is electronic identity verification using UIDAI's Aadhaar system. With the customer's consent, an authorised entity receives the customer's name, address, photo and other demographic details directly from UIDAI. The customer authenticates with an OTP sent to their Aadhaar-linked mobile or with a biometric (fingerprint or iris).

Hindi mein samjhiye

Aadhaar eKYC mein aapki pehchaan UIDAI se electronically verify hoti hai. OTP ya fingerprint se consent dene par naam, pata aur photo seedhe UIDAI se aa jaate hain. Kaagaz ki copy dene ki zarurat nahi.

OTP eKYC vs biometric eKYC

Biometric eKYC is done in person on a certified device and is treated as full KYC. OTP-based eKYC is non-face-to-face. RBI allows it for onboarding but caps what such accounts can do, and expects full KYC within a year. Video KYC (V-CIP) is the usual way to upgrade remotely.

Offline Aadhaar and DigiLocker

The customer can also share a digitally signed offline Aadhaar XML, or fetch Aadhaar through DigiLocker. Both carry UIDAI's signature, so the details can be verified without an online authentication call. These are common inputs to V-CIP.

Privacy rules

Only entities authorised by UIDAI can do Aadhaar authentication. Aadhaar numbers must be masked or stored in an Aadhaar Data Vault, and consent must be explicit. Under the DPDP Act, the purpose must also be stated clearly. See DPDP Act.

Common questions

What is Aadhaar eKYC?

Electronic KYC where your identity details are fetched from UIDAI after you authenticate with an Aadhaar OTP or biometric.

Is OTP-based eKYC full KYC?

No. RBI treats OTP eKYC as non-face-to-face and limits such accounts until full KYC, often via video KYC, is completed.

What is the difference between eKYC and video KYC?

eKYC fetches identity data from UIDAI. Video KYC (V-CIP) adds a live video verification by an official and is treated as face-to-face KYC.

Aadhaar eKYC kya hai?

Aadhaar eKYC mein OTP ya fingerprint se UIDAI aapki details verify karke bhejta hai, bina kaagaz ke.

Related

V-CIP (Video KYC)V-CIP (Video-based Customer Identification Process) is RBI's framework for doing KYC over a live video call instead of in person.CKYC (Central KYC)CKYC (Central KYC) is India's shared KYC database, the Central KYC Records Registry, run by CERSAI.Re-KYC (periodic KYC update)Re-KYC, or periodic KYC updation, is when a bank or NBFC asks an existing customer to reconfirm or refresh their KYC details.

ZyroAI products for this: Digital KYC.

Written by the ZyroAI team for people building in Indian BFSI. Regulatory rules change, so for binding requirements check the current RBI, NPCI, UIDAI or relevant regulator circular. Last updated 2026-09-24.

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