How Aadhaar can make your financial life easier

To get the 'real' benefits of your Aadhaar, you need to register your mobile number with the UIDAI database. Although it is not mandatory to register or link your mobile number with UIDAI, doing so can make your life much easier. 

Registering your number will give you hassle-free access to a host of online services offered by the UIDAI like correcting your Aadhaar details, generating a Virtual Aadhaar ID, and downloading e-Aadhaar. All of these services are one-time password (OTP) enabled, so you will have to register your mobile number with UIDAI to authenticate these transactions. 

1. E-verifying income tax return 

While there are several ways to verify your income tax return (ITR), e-verifying it using your Aadhaar number online is a convenient method. Linking Aadhaar with your PAN card is a must to get your ITR processed and June 30 is the current deadline for it. 

It would be even better if you get your mobile number registered with UIDAI to conveniently e-verify your ITR. Before you link your Aadhaar and PAN, make sure that all the details match. For instance, if your PAN card is in your maiden name and the Aadhaar card in your post-marital name, then you will not be able to link the two until you correct the name in one of the documents. 

2. Simplified eKYC 

Know-your-customer (KYC) compliance is mandatory for various financial institutions. And here, too, Aadhaar can come in handy. Going for Aadhaar-based KYC saves you the effort of uploading and verifying scanned copies of your documents to complete the process. 


For instance, if you want to invest in mutual funds online, Aadhaar-based KYC process is much easier compared to the regular eKYC process. If you go for normal eKYC, besides uploading the scanned copy of supporting documents, you are required to do an in-person verification (IPV). 

However, for Aadhaar-based KYC with asset management companies, you just need to share your personal details along with you PAN and Aadhaar number. An OTP will be sent to your mobile number registered with Aadhaar. Enter the OTP to complete your online investment process. You don't even have to get an IPV done. 

3. Easier and paperless EPF claims 

The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has introduced several measures to reduce the claims settlement period -- it has now enabled the system to aim for a settlement time of 5 days. To settle your online EPF claim within five days, you need to link your Universal Account Number (UAN) with your Aadhaar. 

The EPFO has also introduced an Aadhaar-linked 'composite claim form' that has two unique advantages. One, a claim can be submitted even without the employer's attestation, and second, you don't have to attach or send any documentary evidence to the EPFO while claiming partial withdrawals for meeting housing, marriage, education or medical needs. To authenticate the claim process, an OTP is sent to the registered mobile number with Aadhaar database. Once this OTP is entered, submit the 'Composite claim form (Aadhaar)' and the withdrawal process will be initiated.