Offline Aadhar based on QR code. RBI and Govt. in talks
Posted on: 03/Dec/2018 3:53:42 PM
Following the Supreme Court order regarding Aadhar verification process involved in opening bank accounts and operating payment wallets and to purchase insurance covers, discussions are on the go between the Reserve Bank of India and the government. The two are in talks to allow use of offline Aadhar based on QR codes rather than biometric eKYC. According to SC rule, verification based on Aadhar shall not be performed by private firms.
After the court’s decision that makes Aadhar not mandatory for bank accounts, there were discussions about using Aadhar offline. This does not have any connection with the servers of Unique Identification Authority of India.
The printout copies containing QR codes shall get digitally signed by UIDAI. This will be even more reliable as compared to ration cards or license or voter ID.
However, RBI must facilitate in order to make use of Aadhar card offline for which the central bank will have to roll out a circular in this regard. There were 2 or 3 rounds of discussion with the UIDAI. The Aadhar agency has raised a request for editing the KYC master circular. These shall ensure proper synch with the SC order. Other than transactions that include direct benefit transfer or PAN, all others cannot mandate Aadhar verification.
