Post Offices Go Digital: Open, Update RD & PPF Accounts Using Aadhaar Biometrics | Savings and Investments News

Last Updated:July 09, 2025, 15:51 IST

The Department of Posts has expanded its Aadhaar-based e-KYC biometric authentication services to include Recurring Deposit (RD) and Public Provident Fund (PPF) schemes

Now Open, Update RD & PPF Accounts Using Aadhaar Biometrics (Representational Image)

The Department of Posts has expanded its Aadhaar-based e-KYC biometric authentication services to include Recurring Deposit (RD) and Public Provident Fund (PPF) schemes. Previously, this digital facility was available only for select small savings schemes such as the Monthly Income Scheme (MIS), Time Deposit (TD), Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP), and National Savings Certificate (NSC).

Aadhaar-Based e-KYC Extended

Effective April 23, 2025, Aadhaar-based e-KYC authentication has been rolled out across India Post for a wider range of small savings products. This follows an earlier implementation on January 6, 2025, for onboarding new customers into Post Office Savings Accounts (POSA) using Aadhaar-based authentication.

With the latest move, depositors can now open RD and PPF accounts and carry out transactions without physical forms like pay-in slips or withdrawal vouchers.

Services Now Enabled Under RD and PPF

According to the SB Order dated July 7, 2025, the following services under RD and PPF accounts can now be availed using Aadhaar-based biometric e-KYC at all CBS-enabled Post Offices:

• Open RD and PPF accounts
• Make deposits into RD and PPF accounts
• Take loans against RD and PPF
• Repay RD and PPF loans
• Withdraw from PPF accounts (no cap on withdrawal amount)

More Biometric Services in the Pipeline

The Department is currently working on expanding biometric-based e-KYC functionality to cover:

• Account closure
• Nominee updates
• Account transfers

Masked Aadhaar for Enhanced Security

To safeguard customer information, Aadhaar numbers will be masked (e.g., xxx-xxx-1234) on all forms used during biometric transactions. If any submitted document contains an unmasked Aadhaar number, post office staff are instructed to manually conceal the first eight digits using black ink or a sketch pen. “All post offices and CBS-CPCs should ensure that Aadhaar numbers are masked on all documents such as AOF, KYG Form, and photocopies of Aadhaar,” the Department’s order stated.

How Aadhaar-Based RD and PPF Account Management Works

• The Post Office Assistant (PA) will take the depositor’s biometric authentication to obtain consent for using Aadhaar.
• After entering all required details, a second biometric scan will be done to authenticate and complete the transaction.
• No pay-in slips or withdrawal forms will be collected for credits or debits in RD/PPF or their respective loan accounts.
• The amount mentioned in the Account Opening Form will be treated as the initial deposit in RD or PPF accounts.
• If funds are being transferred from a PO Savings Account, the debit account must be a Single or Joint B type account of the depositor. No SB-7 form is needed in this case due to biometric verification.

Aparna Deb

Aparna Deb is a Subeditor and writes for the business vertical of News18.com. She has a nose for news that matters. She is inquisitive and curious about things. Among other things, financial markets, economy, a…Read More

Aparna Deb is a Subeditor and writes for the business vertical of News18.com. She has a nose for news that matters. She is inquisitive and curious about things. Among other things, financial markets, economy, a… Read More

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