Non-Aadhaar mobile verification only for NRIs, foreign tourists

NEW DELHI: The government is looking to provide non-Aadhaar based verification for mobile phones only for certain categories, such as NRIs and foreign tourists. It is also seeking to ease the verification process for those with Aadhaar.

Telecom secretary Aruna Sundararajan said the government had already simplified the process by providing for verification through a one-time password (OTP), app and a voice-recognition system. Using OTP, subscribers will be able to authenticate phone numbers which were not mentioned during Aadhaar registration. So, multiple phones can be verified using the mobile number registered with Aadhaar.

She also said doorstep verification facility will be available for senior citizens and the disabled, besides verification across circles. The steps were initiated after subscribers complained of harassment by telecom firms who have opened only a few centres for verification. Sundararajan said the process for Aadhaar-based verification was mandated by the Supreme Court.