Unique Identification Authority of India sees 100 million Aadhaar numbers linked to bank accounts

The Unique Identification Authority of India announced that the number of Aadhaar numbers that are connected to bank accounts has reached 100 million, which enables these account holders to digitally receive subsidies and benefits from the government, according to a report by The Economic Times.

Previously reported, India’s new government began examining new methods of expanding Aadhaar in September, including issuing bank accounts to all Indian households.

As the largest biometric database in the world, the Aadhaar identity platform serves a range of users including LPG consumers, MNREGA workers, PDS, remittance and scholarship beneficiaries.

“A major milestone in government’s Digital India mission has been crossed with 100 million Aadhaar numbers having been linked to bank accounts of Aadhaar holders, enabling these individuals to digitally receive government welfare subsidies and other payments directly into their bank accounts,” according to a UIDAI statement.

Linking an Aadhaar number to a bank account simplifies the governmental process of identifying legitimate beneficiaries and transfer welfare payments and subsidies to their bank accounts, said the UIDAI.

The Aadhaar Payment Bridge witnessed transactions pass the 79.4 million-mark for various government welfare programs, including Direct Benefit Transfer for LPG, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme, tribal welfare schemes and pensions. Meanwhile, the isssuance of Aadhaars has passed the 720 million-mark.

Additionally, over 100 million Aadhaar numbers have been reached in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Uttarakhand and Chhattisgarh. These four states previously had a combined population of about 340 million before they were allocated to UIDAI earlier this year.

Individuals can use the Aadhaar identity platform from any of the participating 333 banks in India, while the beneficiaries can access these subsidies in any part of India, making it a completely hassle-free process.

To link an Aadhaar number to a bank account, Indian residents must submit a copy of their Aadhaar letter or their e-Aadhaar to their home bank branch.

Article Topics

Aadhaar  |  banking  |  biometric database  |  India  |  national ID  |  UIDAI