Information on how to link Aadhaar to Bank Accounts & Check their status- Online/Offline Methods

The Government of India launched Aadhar Card with an objective to allow every Indian resident with a unique identification proof. The Aadhar Card serves as a valid identity proof, address proof and age proof and helps you carry out financial transactions with ease. 

What is an Aadhar Card?

An Aadhar Card contains a 12-digit unique identification number for each individual which helps in establishing the identity of the individual. To make Aadhar Card more relevant for people, the Government launched the concept of linking your Aadhar Card with your bank account. Under this concept, individuals holding a valid Aadhar Card are required to link their bank accounts with their Aadhar Card number so that the card can serve as a centralised database. Is this rule mandatory?

Mandate on linking Aadhar Card with the bank account

When the concept of linking the Aadhar Card with the bank account was launched, the Government made it mandatory for individuals. A specific deadline was also set within which individuals were required to link their bank accounts with their Aadhar Cards. If individuals didn’t possess an Aadhar Card they were required to first obtain an Aadhar Card and then get the card linked with their bank accounts. 

However, this rule was debated upon and then the Supreme Court ruled that linking the Aadhar Card with bank account would not be made mandatory. If individuals want a smoother flow of transactions, they can opt for linking their Aadhar Cards with their bank accounts but the choice would be entirely optional. So, currently, it is not mandatory to link your Aadhar Card with your bank account.

Why linking Aadhar card with a bank account is beneficial?

While linking Aadhar card with a bank account is not mandatory any longer, linking has various benefits which you can avail if you link your bank account with your Aadhar card. These benefits are as follows –

1. You can easily open another account by simply furnishing your Aadhar card details since Aadhar is considered to be a valid document for KYC regulations
2. Once your bank account is linked with your Aadhar card, the subsidy for LPG can be directly credited to your bank account by the Government without any delay or hassles
3. Your pension amount, MNREGA wages and other welfare funds can be directly credited to your bank account if it is linked with your Aadhar card 
4. You can access different Aadhar Related Payment Systems (AEPS) if your bank account is linked with your Aadhar Card. These payment systems include BHIM Aadhar pay, UPI payments through Aadhar, etc.
5. When your bank account is linked with Aadhar it creates a verified and authentic account and the chances of frauds are minimized.

Linking of Aadhar Card with the bank account

Though it is not mandatory to link your Aadhar Card with your bank account, it is better to do so anyway. When you link your card to your account, your banking transactions become smoother. You can open new accounts easily by referring to your Aadhar Card number rather than submitting multiple documents. Moreover, Aadhar Card number is a must for your income tax returns and when applying for a PAN Card. So, if you apply for an Aadhar Card, it is better to link the card to your bank account as well. 

To make the process of linking simple and convenient, banks provide multiple ways in which their account holders can link their Aadhar Cards with their bank accounts. If you also want to link your Aadhar Card with your bank account, you can choose the most convenient way from the below-mentioned ways –

1. Net banking facility 

If you are registered for the net banking facility offered by your bank, you can link your bank account to your Aadhar Card online using the facility. The process is as follows –

• Log into your bank’s net banking account using your user ID and password
• There would be a tab on your dashboard showing ‘Link your Aadhar Card’ or ‘View/Update Aadhar Card details’
• Click on the link and proceed to provide the 12-digit Aadhar Card number mentioned on your Aadhar Card
• Some other details might also be required to complete the linking process like your name, mobile number, date of birth, etc. Provide the relevant details and click ‘Submit’
• The bank would, then, verify your Aadhar Card details and then send you a confirmation message on the registered mobile number. In some cases, an OTP (One Time Password) might also be sent to complete the linking process.
• Once the confirmation message is received or the OTP is successfully verified, the linking process would be completed.

2. By visiting the branch of your bank

You can also link your Aadhar Card with your bank account offline by visiting the branch of your bank. The process is as follows –

• At the branch, there would be an application form for linking of Aadhar Card. Fill up the form stating your name, age, date of birth, registered mobile number, bank account number, Aadhar Card number, etc. 
• Sign and submit the form at the branch. A self-attested copy of your Aadhar Card would also be required to be submitted
• The bank would, then, verify the details entered in the form and the copy of the Aadhar Card submitted
• Upon successful verification, your bank account would be linked to your Aadhar Card

3. By sending an SMS

Banks provide their customers with mobile banking facilities wherein you can request for a service through your phone by calling the bank’s customer care number or by sending an SMS. Aadhar Card linking is also possible through an SMS. You would have to send an SMS to your bank with your Aadhar Card number in a specified text format. The SMS should be sent from the mobile number registered in the bank records. Once the SMS is sent, the bank would send an acknowledgement SMS for receiving your SMS. Thereafter, your Aadhar Card details would be verified and once the verification is done, the bank would send you a confirmation SMS stating that your account is linked with your Aadhar Card number.

4. By visiting the ATM of the bank

The ATMs of the bank also allow you the facility to link your bank account with your Aadhar Card. However, the facility is available only on debit cards which are issued against your bank account. To link your Aadhar Card through ATM, the process is as follows –

• Swipe your debit card and enter your 4-digit PIN number
• Choose ‘Services’ and in the next page choose ‘Registration’ or ‘Aadhar Registration’ or ‘Aadhar linking’ whatever may be the case
• Choose the type of bank account (Savings or Current) which you have with the bank and the one which you want to link
• Enter in your Aadhar Card number and hit ‘OK’ or ‘Submit’
• Once your Aadhar Card details are verified, a confirmation message would be sent to your registered mobile number

5. Through the bank’s IVR system

Banks have IVR helpline numbers which you can call for some specific banking services. Linking of Aadhar Card is one such service which is available on your bank’s IVR number. Call the bank’s specified IVR number and choose the option of Aadhar Card linking. Provide your Aadhar Card number and confirm it. The bank would, then, process your request and send you a confirmation message on your registered mobile number when the linking is complete.

6. Through the bank’s mobile application

Nowadays banks have launched their mobile applications (apps) which allow you to bank right from your Smartphone. If your bank has a mobile application you can download the application on your Smartphone and use it to link your Aadhar Card with your bank account. You would, first, have to create your account on the application. Thereafter, there would be an option for linking Aadhar Card with your bank account. Choose the option, provide your Aadhar Card number, provide the bank account number which you want to link and hit ‘Submit’. The linking process would begin and once it is completed, you would get a notification on your Smartphone stating the same.

With so many choices available, you can choose any mode of linking your Aadhar Card with your bank account. Moreover, if you have initiated the linking process and want to check whether the account is linked or not, you can do so easily. The process is described below –

Things to keep in mind when linking Aadhaar with the bank account

When you link your Aadhaar details with your bank account, there are certain things which you should keep in mind. These include the following –

• Enter the correct Aadhar card number for the linking to be successful
• Choose the bank accounts which you want to link with Aadhaar. Make sure that the bank account number is correct
• If you are unable to find the online link for the linking of Aadhaar on the website of your bank, you can contact the bank’s customer care department. The bank’s customer care executive would, then, help you with your issue.
• Your mobile number should be registered with your bank account as well as with your Aadhaar card so that you can get an OTP for verification at the time of linking.

Checking the status of Aadhar Card linking

• To view the status of your linking, you can visit the official website of UIDAI which is www.uidai.gov.in. 
• On the home page, under ‘My Aadhar’, ‘Aadhar Services’ click ‘Check Aadhar/Bank Linking Status’
• A new page would open wherein you would have to enter in your Aadhar Card number and a captcha code displayed
• After the details are entered, hit ‘Send OTP’
• An OTP would be sent to your registered mobile number. Enter the OTP and submit it
• The status of your linking would be displayed along with the accounts which are successfully linked with your Aadhar Card

Through a bank account linked with your Aadhar Card, you can ensure simpler and authentic banking transactions. So, choose a mode which is the most suitable for you and then link your Aadhar Card with your bank account in some simple steps.