Question : e-KYC through Mobile Handsets

Will the Minister of ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Unique Identification Authority of India has initiated talks with Mobile handset manufacturers to explore the possibility of incorporating a facility on Tablets and Phones that would allow people to do an electronic-Know Your Customer (e-KYC) process using Fingerprint or its image;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether this facility will be made mandatory on phones and handsets;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) the response of the mobile handset manufacturers in this regard and,

(f) the time by which a decision in the matter is likely to be taken?

(a): Yes, Sir.

(b): The specifications in this regard have been finalized and published. Those vendors/manufacturers that fulfil the specifications would be eligible for the certification by Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification (STQC), Directorate of MeitY, Government of India.

(c): No, Sir.

(d): Does not arise in view of (c) above.

(e): Out of integrated Iris device manufacturers who submitted their devices for certification to STQC, two devices have been certified and few other devices are in the process of certification. However, no integrated devices manufacturer with fingerprint scanner participated in the STQC certification process.

(f): Same as answer to (b), above.

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