Aadhaar Paperless E-KYC Does Not Share Your Aadhaar Number With Others; Know How It Works

Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has launched Aadhaar Paperless Offline e-KYC verification to allow Aadhaar number holders to voluntarily use it for establishing their identity in various applications in a paperless and electronic fashion, while still maintaining privacy, security and inclusion. In this method, the identity of an Aadhaar number holder is verified through an online electronic KYC service. The e-KYC service provides an authenticated instant verification of identity and significantly lowers the cost of paper-based verification and KYC.

Aadhaar Paperless Offline e-KYC removes the need for the resident to provide a photocopy of the Aadhaar letter and instead, the resident can download the KYC XML and provide the same to agencies that want to have his/her KYC. According to the UIDAI website, the KYC details are in machine-readable XML which is digitally signed by UIDAI allowing the agency to verify its authenticity and detect any tampering. The agency can also authenticate the user through their own OTP/Face authentication mechanisms.

Advantages of Aadhaar Paperless Offline e-KYC

Privacy :

⦁ KYC data may be shared by the Aadhaar number holder directly without the knowledge of UIDAI.
⦁ Aadhaar number of the resident is not revealed, instead only a reference ID is shared.
⦁ No core biometrics (fingerprints or iris) required for such verification
⦁ Aadhaar number holder gets a choice of the data (among the demographics data and photo) to be shared.

Security:

⦁ Aadhaar KYC data are downloadable by Aadhaar number holder is digitally signed by UIDAI to verify authenticity and detect any tampering.
⦁ Agency can validate the data through their own OTP/Face Authentication.
⦁ KYC data is encrypted with the phrase provided by Aadhaar number holder allowing residents control of their data.

Inclusion:

⦁ Aadhaar Paperless Offline e-KYC is voluntary and Aadhaar number holder-driven.
⦁ Any agency working with people can use it with consent of the Aadhaar number holder allowing wide usage.

How to create Aadhaar paperless e-KYC document:

The Aadhaar paperless e-KYC file in an XML format stored in a zip file can be downloaded from the myAadhaar portal. Follow the below listed steps to generate Aadhaar paperless e-KYC document:

Step 1: Visit https://myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in/offline-ekyc.
Step 2: Click on 'Login' and enter your Aadhaar number or VID number and type in the security code available in the captcha challenge. Then click on the 'Send OTP' button. Enter the OTP received on your Aadhaar registered mobile number in the correct box."OTP will be available on the m-Aadhaar mobile Application of UIDAI," as per the UIDAI website.
Step 3: Your Aadhaar dashboard will open, click on the 'Offline eKYC' button.
Step 4: Enter a share code for the Aadhaar paperless e-KYC file. This code has to be inputted for opening the file and can be any four-digit code of your choice. Once the share code is typed in, click on 'Download'. According to the UIDAI website, "A ZIP file containing your eKYC will be password protected using the above Share Code."

Download this zip file and share it with the KYC verifying agency that accepts KYC verification via offline paperless Aadhaar.