Aadhar-SIM linking now possible via OTP, doorstep verification

The government has introduced three new methods, including through one-time password (OTP), to ease the process of linking the 12-digit Aadhaar identity number with individual mobile numbers, Communications Minister Manoj Sinha said here on Wednesday.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has introduced the three new rules - through one-time password, App based and the interactive voice response (IVRS) facility, to link the Aadhaar with the mobile number.

With this, the subscribers can now link their registered mobile numbers to Aadhaar without visiting the telecom service providers' stores.

Doorstep verification

Telecom operators are directed to offer verification facility of subscribers at their doorsteps for the convenience of those with disability, illness or old age.

Online verification

All the telecom operators have been directed to build an online mechanism – which can be through website or any other means – to request such service.

OTP authentication (SMS, IVRS)

Moreover, to ease the process the operators will provide a provision to re-verify through SMS, IVRS or mobile application.

Why these new measures?

"For the ease of senior citizens and the people with disability and chronic illness, DoT has also recommended for the re-verification at subscribers' doorstep," a DoT statement said.

In another development, the Centre told the Supreme Court on Wednesday that the deadline for linking Aadhaar to various government schemes would be extended till March 31, 2018.

"The Aadhaar number system was designed to allow all residents of the country access to critical government services and important information that they may need from time to time," the Minister said.

"Mobile penetration is increasing rapidly in the country and the subscribers need to be provided with the ease of linking of the Aadhaar number with the mobile number," he added.

e are implementing all the necessary processes so as to be able to use the additional methods prescribed including OTP, App based and the IVRS facility. We expect it to get much faster and easier for individual mobile subscribers to comply with the e-KYC norms using their Aadhaar Registered Mobile Number," the representative added.

In a circular in August, DoT had given instructions to the telecom service providers to provide iris or fingerprint-based authentication of Aadhaar. The new regulations have specified that the telecom service providers must deploy iris readers for this purpose within a reasonable geographical area.