Aadhaar linking has become mandatory for so many things and it’s hard to keep track. But here’s an article with everything that needs linking to this card.
The demonetisation drive is still very fresh in our memory. The year 2016 became one of the most epic years in Indian history after the freedom struggle in 1947. Suddenly, the whole economy went into a frenzy with the note-ban, ATMs running out of cash and sacks of illegal currency being dumped at various nooks and corners of the country.
But this revolution also witnessed some great outcomes. It was a fantastic effort to get rid of black money. However, the overnight changes to the whole system made life for the average Indian quite daunting the next day.
Post demonetisation, a lot of things became practically useless while some things gained prominence, and just like that, the humble Aadhaar Card rose to fame. The Aadhaar Card eventually became one of the most important official documents for Indian citizens in the wake of demonetisation.
As the economy stabilised, the Aadhaar Card became a staple official document for everything. Today, it not just serves as a valid identification proof, but is also a document that has to be mandatorily linked to several other official documents. The Government left no stone unturned when imposing Aadhaar on citizens and went one step further by laying down deadlines for linking it as well.
It’s no secret that you need an Aadhaar Card to apply for almost everything these days. Whether it’s a gas connection, a bank account, a new passport, or even a driver’s licence, linking your Aadhaar Card to all these things and many other Government schemes is compulsory.
Here’s the list of utilities and services that require Aadhaar to be linked to them:
1. Aadhaar Pay
With the 2017 budget, the government took digital transacting one notch higher by proposing the addition of 20-lakh Aadhaar-based POS systems last year. Today, you can use your Aadhaar details to make payments.
An Aadhaar Card, along with the bank account it has been linked t, and a fingerprint authentication, is all you’ll need to make payments. You can download the Aadhaar Pay App on your smartphone and you’re good to go.
Additional Reading: The Beginner’s Guide To Aadhar Pay
2. Driving Licence & Vehicle Registration
In a move to check the duplication of driving licences (DL) issued, the centre has made it mandatory for all states to make Aadhaar compulsory to issue licences and also to renew existing ones. Linking Aadhaar to vehicle registration is also expected to help check the registration of stolen vehicles and with the transfer of vehicles from one state to another.
All you need to do is go online and visit the website of your state road transport department, click on the option that says “Link Aadhaar” and then select “Driving Licence” from the drop down menu. Once you get on this page, simply enter your DL details.
If it’s any consolation, earlier this year the Supreme Court extended the deadline for an indefinite period to link Aadhaar to your driving licence. So, you can go easy on this for now.
Additional Reading: Aadhaar Mandatory For Driving Licence
3. LPG Connection
Under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwal Yojana, households will need an Aadhaar Card to avail free LPG connection and get other subsidies on LPG. You can get 12 cylinders a year at subsidised rates and to avail this subsidy you need to link your Aadhaar Card to your LPG connection. You can either get this done online or even do it offline.
Here is an article with a step-by-step guide on how to do it online. If you’re doing this offline you can get in touch with your distributor or call up the call center and follow the instructions. You can also do this via post by downloading the required form from the official website.
Another way to get this done is through the interactive voice response system (IVRS) where customers can call up the respective LPG service providers IVRS and follow the instructions given.
4. Filing IT Returns
The government has made it mandatory to quote your Aadhaar number while filing your income tax return. So, don’t put off linking your Aadhaar through the Income Tax e-filing portal if you haven’t done it already.
Additional Reading: Aadhaar For ITR Filing: What You Need To Know
5. PAN Card
If you don’t have a PAN card yet, you’ll need an Aadhaar card first in order to apply for one. And to file your IT returns you will have to link your Aadhaar Card to your PAN and then file your returns. The deadline for this is indefinite and here is a step-by-step guide on how to get this done.
6. Passport Application
Getting a passport will now require you to furnish your Aadhaar details as valid ID and address proof. Since Aadhaar is equivalent to having a social security number that has your biometric details, the Passport Authorities now need you to mandatorily provide your Aadhaar Card information before applying for a fresh passport.
Unlike the old days, you can now expedite the passport application process through the Tatkaal scheme. Here’s a handy link on how to apply for a Tatkaal passport.
Additional Reading: It’s Now A Whole Lot Easier To Get A Passport
7. Bank Account
Wondering why you kept receiving multiple reminders from your bank to link your Aadhaar Card to your account? Well, Linking your bank account to your Aadhaar Card has been made mandatory too!
Further, The Income Tax Department has instructed financial institutions to block non-linked accounts. The deadline to do so was March 31st, 2018. However, this deadline has been extended. So, hurry up if you haven’t already linked your account to this magic card!
Already linked your Aadhaar Card to your bank account, but aren’t sure if it has been done correctly? Worry not! Here is an article that will give you some pointers on how to check the same.
Additional Reading: Aadhaar Linkage Mandatory For Bank Accounts
8. Government Schemes
Earlier last month, the Government of India made it mandatory to have an Aadhaar Card to avail 11 welfare schemes. You can read more about it here: Aadhaar Made Mandatory For 11 Government Schemes
9. Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF)
Aadhaar has been made mandatory for contribution to your pension account. However, it is not mandatory for the final settlement. Still, it might be a good idea to link your Aadhaar to your Employee Provident Fund account. The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has extended the deadline for submitting Aadhaar to 30th June 2017.
Additional Reading: Linking Of Aadhaar To EPF: A Step By Step Guide
10. Defence Pension
All retired defence personnel and family members of deceased personnel will need to enrol for an Aadhaar Card to be able to claim their pensions from the government. The Ministry of Defence has now issued a notification to this effect.
11. Haj Pilgrimage Application
The Uttar Pradesh government is mulling over its decision to link the Haj application process with the Aadhaar number of the applicant to ensure greater transparency in the selection of pilgrims.
Officials believe that this system would help in identifying those who have undertaken the pilgrimage more than once. The minister also made an appeal to the rich Muslims of UP to consider giving up the Haj subsidy, so that the poor and deserving would get an opportunity too.
12. Aadhaar-enabled OTP eKYC (Know Your Customer)
The Reserve Bank of India, in a giant leap towards digitising finance in India, has requested financial institutions to get customers on board through an OTP (One Time Password)-based Aadhaar eKYC process. This process is a mobile-based paperless and presence-less solution. Customers no longer need to be physically present at the bank branch to open an account or apply for a loan. The process can be done online at their convenience.
Additional Reading: BankBazaar CEO – Adhil Shetty On Aadhaar-enabled OTP-based eKYC & Digital Payments
13. Crop Insurance Policies
The agriculture ministry issued a directive to rural financial institutes to comply with the new rule from the kharif (summer) season in April last year. The new rule being mandating Aadhaar to avail crop insurance policies for the kharif sowing season. The banks have been asked to persuade farmers to furnish their Aadhaar identification card at the time of sanction/renewal/ disbursement/inspection of the loan or on visiting a bank branch.
14. Booking Train Tickets Online
The railways will soon move towards an Aadhaar-based online ticketing system to prevent touts from blocking a bulk of tickets, end fraudulent bookings, and curb cases of impersonation.
15. Mutual Funds
Investing in Mutual Funds is a great way to save money and earn some as well. But, if you have already invested in them, then you should be linking your Aadhaar Card to your Mutual Funds as well. Not linking them can spell trouble since your portfolios could get frozen. Here’s what you need to know.
Additional Reading: How To Check Aadhaar Status Linked To Mutual Funds Online
It seems like Aadhaar is certainly here to stay. In case you haven’t got yours yet, we suggest you apply for it as quickly as possible. Did you know you don’t need an Aadhaar Card to apply for a Personal Loan?