Aadhaar–mobile number linking to become simpler

Government has initiated measures, including re-verification at subscribers’ doorstep and OTP-based authentication of existing users.

The process of re-verifying existing mobile subscribers using Aadhaar is set to become simpler and more convenient, according to an official source.

The government has initiated a series of measures, including allowing re-verification at subscribers’ doorstep and One Time Password–based authentication of existing users, to make the entire exercise easier for telecom subscribers.

Telecom operators have been directed to offer the facility at the subscriber’s doorstep for the convenience of those with disablity, illness or old age, the source familiar with the development told PTI.

Operators have been asked to put in place an online mechanism (through website, and other means) for people to request for such service.

It has also enabled Aadhaar OTP-based authentication for re-verification of existing mobile users. Telecom service-providers have been instructed to initiate a scheme to use OTP-based re-verification of mobile subscribers using SMS or IVRS or on their mobile app.

“This means that if one mobile number is registered in the Aadhaar database, then the OTP method can be used for re-verification of that number as well as other mobile numbers owned by the subscriber,” the source pointed out.

Nearly 50 crore mobile numbers are already registered in the Aadhaar database, and the OTP can be leveraged for re-verification in all of these cases, the source added.

In case of agent-assisted biometric authentication for SIM re-verification or issuance, telcos have been asked to ensure that full e-KYC details of subscribers are not made visible to the agent. Nor should data be stored on the agent’s device, the source added.

In the current dispensation, e-KYC data of the subscriber, including photographs, are visible to the agent of the telecom operator.

The slew of measures being undertaken are aimed at improving ease of re-verification and its success rate, the official added.

The source pointed out that some residents, especially senior citizens, found it difficult to verify their identity using fingerprint-based Aadhaar authentication. Also, there were cases where residents — those bed-ridden, ill or physically challenged — were unable to visit the service points of telecom service-providers.

Telecom operators have also been directed to deploy iris devices at an “appropriate number of service points” so subscribers have access to iris authentication “within a reasonable geographical distance”.

This will be useful for people who face problems with fingerprint authentication, owing to poor fingerprint quality, disability or old age, the source explained.

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 number. The re-verification exercise is scheduled to be completed by early 2018.