What is an Aadhaar Card?
An Aadhaar Card is a 12-digit identity document number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) that helps to create a unique identity code for Indian residents. After you place a request with the UIDAI, it assigns you the Aadhaar card after due demographic and biometric verification.
Why is linking of Aadhar Card mandatory?
The importance of the Aadhaar card is ever increasing. The Government aims to integrate and reconcile all personal and financial records of an Indian through Aadhar. Hence, the Government has requested everyone to link their Aadhaar with their bank accounts, PAN card, investment records such as provident fund, pension accounts, etc. The Government has made it compulsory for residents of India to link their Aadhaar card with their bank accounts by 31st March 2021. If one fails to do so, the Government has given banks the authority to deactivate those accounts. Hence, linking your Aadhar with your bank account has become crucial as per new guidelines.
What are the different ways to link your Aadhaar Card with your bank account?
Offline (through your bank’s branch)
1. You can link your Aadhaar Card with the bank account by visiting the local branch of your bank and filling up the “Aadhar-linking” form. You can also visit your bank’s official website and download the form from there.
2. You will have to fill in the necessary details in the form, like the bank account number and the Aadhaar number.
3. Attach a self-attested copy of your Aadhaar card with the form and submit it at the counter. You may be required to furnish your original Aadhar Card for verification.
4. It may take a couple of days to link your bank account with your Aadhaar Card. You are updated through an SMS once the linking is complete.
Online (through Internet Banking/ Mobile App)
1. You need to activate internet banking for this procedure.
2. Log in to your internet banking/ mobile application using the username and password.
3. Go to the dashboard and click on “Link Aadhaar card”/ “Update Aadhaar card details”.
4. Furnish the requisite details, re-confirm and submit the request.
5. Once your bank verifies the information, it will confirm linking your bank account with your Aadhaar Card.
6. The bank shall confirm the linking through an SMS to your registered mobile number. Once the message is received (or in some cases, OTP is also used), the linking process is completed.
Through SMS
Linking your Aadhaar with the bank via this mode is very simple. You have to send an SMS from your mobile number registered with your bank accounts providing your Aadhaar card number in a specific format:
UID (space) (your Aadhaar number)
In some cases, the banks may also ask for the last six digits of your bank account number along with the Aadhaar number.
You will get a confirmation message regarding the completion of the linking process.
Note: The number on which you have to send this SMS will vary from bank to bank. You are required to confirm the same by visiting the official website of your bank.
Through ATM
Many banks have made available the facility of linking your Aadhaar number with your bank account using ATMs. You can avail this facility if you hold a debit card with your bank.
1. Swipe your card in the ATM and enter the 4-digit PIN.
2. Click on the “services” option and then choose “Registration” or “Aadhar Registration”.
3. Choose the type of account you hold with your bank (savings or current).
4. Enter your Aadhar card number and press Submit.
5. You will receive a confirmation message on your registered mobile number once the linking is successful.
Through Phone Call
Seeding your Aadhaar with the bank via this mode requires an essential step of placing a call on the requisite number provided by the bank number. You just have to follow the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) and place your request.
Note: The number on which you are required to place a request call varies from bank to bank. You are required to confirm the same by visiting the official website of your bank.
You want to check the status of your linking by visiting https://resident.uidai.gov.in/bank-mapper.
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