New Delhi, Nov 14: The Department of Telecom has ordered all carriers to clearly specify the last date – of February 6, 2018 – when they send any communications, text or voice messages to their consumers for re-verification of mobile numbers through Aadhaar.
"Any communications/voice messages/SMS, which is to be sent by licences to their mobile subscribers regarding re-verification of mobile connections through the Aadhaar-based E-KYC process, shall contain the last date for re-verification, ie, 06.02.2018," the Ministry of Communications said in a notification on Monday.
The DoT order dated November 13 came after the Supreme Court recently asked the government to mention the last date for linking bank accounts or mobile phone numbers with Aadhaar.
To simplify the linking of Aadhaar with the mobile number, the DoT recently allowed re-verification through iris-based biometric devices and at the doorsteps of those consumers unable to use one-time passwords or incapacitated and cannot go to retail stores.
Separately, the DoT is also working to finalise steps to make it easier for consumers to re-verify their mobile numbers through Aadhaar without visiting telecom firm's office, by using one-time password through SMS, interactive voice response system and through mobile apps.
Recently, Telecom Minister Manoj Sinha had said that the government would simplify linking of mobile number with Aadhaar. He had also assured that numbers won't be disconnected for failure to link with Aadhaar.
How to connect phone number with Aadhaar
If you have opted for 'eKYC' - Aadhaar-based activation - by providing the biometrics while applying for the mobile connection, you do not need to go through the Aadhaar-SIM linking process again, Idea Cellular said. Other subscribers need to visit their nearest Idea outlets and follow simple steps to complete the mandated E-KYC process, the telecom company said.
eKYC is an online method of providing details as per Know Your Customer norms.
Airtel Aadhaar-SIM linking
"As per the government directive, linking Aadhaar to your mobile number is mandatory for all existing customers," Bharti Airtel, the country's largest telecom operator, said on its website. Bharti Airtel also prescribed its prepaid and postpaid subscribers ways to achieve Aadhaar-SIM linking. To complete biometric verification, Airtel said customers having its postpaid connections are required to visit the nearest Airtel Store, while prepaid customers can do so by visiting their nearest retailer.
"We recommend you complete this process as soon as possible. Last date for the same is 6th Feb 2018," Bharti Airtel further said on its website - airtel.in.
Specifying the documents required for the process, Airtel said: "All you need is your Aadhaar card/number and your Mobile. You will be required to complete biometric verification. You will also receive the verification code (OTP) on your Mobile that would be required to complete the process."
Vodafone Aadhaar-SIM linking
Responding to a query in a series of posts on microblogging site Twitter, Vodafone India said: "Aadhaar based re-verification is to be done only once on a number. As per the instructions received from DoT (Department of Telecommunications), it is mandatory that the E-KYC (Aadhaar-based) re-verification needs to be completed before 6th Feb 2018 by all Telecom operators."
Vodafone India is the Indian arm of British telecom major Vodafone.
Idea Aadhaar-SIM linking
Another telecom company Idea Cellular recently notified its customers about the requirement. Idea Cellular gave four steps for its customers to link their Aadhaar with mobile number.
Here are the four steps specified by Idea Cellular on its mobile app:
Step 1 - Visit our nearest Idea centre and provide your mobile number and Aadhaar number.
Step 2 - The Idea store executive will provide a four-digit verification code on your mobile from the re-verification application.
Step 3 - The subscriber will then provide the verification code to the Idea store executive and provide his or her biometrics.
Step 4 - After 24 hours, you will receive a confirmation SMS, reply 'Y' to complete the EKYC process.
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