Aadhaar to act as an e-KYC get mobile SIM cards, IB ojections to be over-ruled

NEW DELHI: The objections of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) will be over-ruled to allow Aadhaar to act as an electronic Know-Your-Customer (e-KYC) for Indian residents to instantly get mobile SIM cards, given this project is a key feature of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Digital India plan.

ET has learnt that the security establishment is now veering towards the view that since Unique Identification Authority of India ( UIDAI) claims that it has back-end data of most of Aadhaar recipients in the form of address proof document submitted by them while applying for an UID number, Aadhaar as e-KYC can be extended to provision of SIM cards. "Banks are already accepting Aadhaar as e-KYC for opening new bank accounts. Extending this to SIM cards is a major feature of the PM's Digital India plan. IB's concerns are being addressed but the project cannot be derailed," a senior government official said.