Centre allows Aadhaar-based ID check for banking exams

New Delhi: The central government on Thursday announced that the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) would be allowed to use the Aadhaar framework for authentication of candidates during examinations and recruitment processes.

The Department of Financial Services has issued a notification in this regard. "This initiative aims to promote Good Governance and strengthen the integrity of the recruitment process in the Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI) sector by preventing impersonation and other malpractices during examination," the Finance Ministry said in a statement.

“It will ensure not only a fair and transparent recruitment process but also protect genuine candidates from being disadvantaged due to fraudulent activities. It will also simplify and expedite identity verification, reduce administrative burden and enhance public trust in the overall examination and selection system,” it said.

According to the ministry, the IBPS would use “Aadhaar authentication using Yes/ No or/ and e-KYC authentication facilitates” on a voluntary basis.

The Department of Financial Services has issued the notification after consultation with the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). The Department has also taken authorisation by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

Aadhaar is a 12-digit identification number issued by the UIDAI, a statutory body established by the Government of India under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

Aadhaar is being used increasingly to prevent impersonation and other malpractices. In April this year, the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) decided to implement Aadhaar-based biometric authentication in all its forthcoming examinations.